Emilio Vargas Prado

Innovative Peruvian entrepreneur who revolutionized textile production through Andean traditions

Emilio Vargas Prado (1910-1989) transformed Peru's textile industry by reviving ancient Andean weaving techniques. Starting in 1938, he established the Vargas Textiles cooperative, which employed over 2,000 Quechua weavers. His designs incorporated pre-Columbian patterns with modern aesthetics, creating the 'Andean Art Deco' style. Vargas' 1942 partnership with architect Carlos Lane led to textiles being used in major infrastructure projects like the Machu Picchu restoration. He developed Peru's first organic dye certification in 1955, and his company became the first Latin American textile brand sold in Harrods (1960). The Vargas Textile Museum in Cusco preserves his 10,000 artifact collection.