“Guatemala means the land of eternal Spring. Many artists and intellectuals over the years have found Guatemala and Lake Atitlán in particular to be a source of inspiration. Pablo Neruda wrote many of his moving poems there, Aldous Huxley, author of “Brave New World” once described it as “one of the most beautiful lakes in the world,” and it is said that Antoine de Saint-Exupéry wrote “The Little Prince” there…

Since I was a little girl, I was naturally drawn to the local markets to buy Mayan goods. The colors of the Mayan textiles and crafts are so breathtaking that one can only help but be inspired by their beauty. Year after year I would come from Pennsylvania to visit my grandfather at Lake Atitlán. A few years ago, the lake had become contaminated with toxic blue-green algae and I saw children collecting the water to drink. I knew I had to do something to help.

I went to the local market as I had always done and saw the huarache sandals they were making and thought I could help create jobs for the local artisans, but also help provide clean drinking water through the sales of the shoes…that’s how Ix Style was born.”

– Francesca Kennedy // @ixsandals

032/100 of #100DaysofConfessions Instagram Project