One of this year’s most popular trends continues to be Aztec designs, seen this season on pullovers and cardigans everywhere at Market and in boutiques worldwide. 

We wondered a bit about the origins of these unique geometric designs, so we did a bit of digging and were fascinated with the information.  The Aztecs were thought to have originally been native hunter/gatherers in the northern Mexico region in the 14-15th centuries.  They developed into a sophisticated society with an intricate social, political, religious and commercial organization, eventually acquiring many of the region’s city-states by the 15th century. 

 From their magnificent capital city, Tenochtitlan, the Aztecs emerged as the dominant force in central Mexico until invaders led by the Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés overthrew the Aztec Empire by force and captured Tenochtitlan in 1521, bringing an end to Mesoamerica’s last great native civilization. 

Aztec art developed during the Aztec heyday and was influenced by other cultures within the area such as Maya and other tribal societies. The geometric designs and pictures represented the only way to preserve and communicate history since the Aztecs had no form of written communication.  Pictographs and designs were often made in tribute to the Gods worshiped by the Aztec.

 As the Aztec civilization flourished, traders disseminated their geometric designs throughout the world, where they remain popular today.

 We thought it was BEYOND cool that this geometric style, developed centuries ago, is seeing a popular resurgence here in 2021! 

 We are in love with the design and color selection and choices offered and we’d like to think the Aztecs would be proud!

Check out our sweater collections at The Pearl for many of the Aztec influenced designs on our fall sweaters.