The Bite Magazine - Summer 2019 - Issue 25

PAMPEANO Cristina Lloyd discovers the inspiration behind the Pampeano polo belt and their other accessories that are made from luxury crafted leather. bite men ARGENTINIAN POLO BELT T aking its name from La Pampa, a wild re- gion of Argentina renowned for its stun- ning, panoramic views and sun-drenched estancias, Pampeano is inspired by South Ameri- ca’s rich heritage of unrivalled horsemanship and traditional leather work. Since polo was adopted by the Argentines after the British began playing it in the country in the 1870s, Pampeano have been renowned for providing teams with their colours using intricately hand-woven leather polo belts as well as becoming a leader in technical polo equip- ment. They also make exquisite leather goods that are treasured and appreciated. Known as the sport of kings, polo has been played all around the world for thousands of years. Whilst ancient forms were played by the nomads of Turkey and Iran, it is said that the game orig- inated in India, spreading to the UK by British soldiers. When Britons settled in Argentina in the late 19th century, they began practising polo in their free time and the local men who were highly skilled with horses were so intrigued by the sport that it quickly became incredibly popular across the nation. As every sport needs a team uniform, leather polo belts were designed for Argentinian players as part of their uniforms. To distinguish one team from another, colour pat- terns decorated with iconic pampa diamonds were stitched onto the belt. Although the Argentine leather polo belts were made exclusively for polo players, the stylish patterns and vibrant colours made them a sought-after accessory throughout the country and soon people were sporting these fashionable belts. This is where Pampeano came in as one of the pioneering companies to bring this tradition over to the UK and remains one of the brands who still handcraft their belts in South America. Using the finest, genuine, South American mate- rials in their belts, Pampeano ensures that they are durable and reliable. “We use luxury wax-dipped saddlery thread, originally designed for high- stress equine leather products such as saddles and bridles; this type of thread is highly durable while retaining the vibrant colouring.” The leath- er comes from Argentine cows, using traditional treatment techniques that retain the quality from hide to leather, ensuring its resilience, as well as its butter-soft texture. It also undergoes a vegetable tanning process which has been passed down for generations. You can tell a Pampeano polo belt by the signa- ture pampa diamond, an ancient Aztec motif rep- resenting the Andes mountain range, which has inspired the local people of La Pampa for gener- ations. “The mountains overlook the polo fields of Argentina, making them very popular - not to mention beautiful - places to play and watch polo. Many of our colour schemes are inspired by these polo fields, with belts representing the sunrise over the mountains, and others reminiscent of the night sky.” The perfect accessory for lovers of polo the designs are a stunning representation of the South American heritage. Pampeano invites you to explore their renowned collection of classic Argentinian leather polo belts deemed the embodiment of the brand’s passion in artisanal craftsmanship, luxury materials, and ex- ceptional design. The Polo Belt in Multi compris- es of five bold colours: navy, racing green, cream, light blue, and red. Suitable for both men and women, this belt can be worn with polo whites, jodhpurs, jeans, chinos, skirts, around coats and even dresses. They are also available in a wide range of sizes, varying from 80cm up to 120cm. Using the name for ‘serene’ in Spanish, the Ser- eno Polo Belt is one of the latest additions to be added to the iconic Pampeano collection. It has a similar design to their hugely popular Rio Polo Belt with an updated colour palette and pampa pattern. This particular polo belt exudes a sense of summer and the tranquil Rio de la Plata in Ar- gentina through its precisely placed and vibrant saddlery threads that have been hand-woven by their artisans in Buenos Aires. The blue, navy and cream threads contrast is beautifully set against the rich Havana brown of the buttery Argentine leather belt. Meaning ‘sweet’ in Spanish, the beautiful Dulce Pampeano Polo Belt is the perfect name to encap- sulate the candy coloured look of this belt. The striking contrast of the rich navy threads and Ha- vana brown leather complement the soft pink and