Every piece in Fauna Flora's portfolio is a one-of-a-kind creation that blends Colombian wildlife with various handcrafted techniques and design. Alejandra López, the company's founder, is a designer and visual artist who has always had a strong bond with the natural world. She started her personal endeavor two years ago, combining stitching, textiles, and illustration to create unique handmade pieces that are personally made and designed for botanical lovers.
Alejandra López – The Mastermind Behind Fauna Flora
Through unique pieces of design and art, Fauna Flora gives visibility to Colombian biodiversity and encourages its care and protection. It is a purpose-driven project that we invite you to explore more deeply.
Alejandra with a beautiful Hibiscus piece
When she founded Fauna Flora, Alejandra made clothing and patches, but about a year ago, she returned to hand embroidery and, by chance, discovered the technique she uses today: punch needle, known in Spanish as 'aguja mágica' embroidery, or Russian or Chinese embroidery. Punch needle has allowed her to combine three of her greatest passions: nature, illustration, and the ability to create with her own hands.
This technique is highly versatile, and in the short time she has been working with it, Alejandra has created traditional hoop embroideries, framed artworks, chair covers, cushions, and large tapestries that can be placed on furniture, hung on walls, or even installed on floor surfaces.
'Chivito hummingbird'
Making Colombian Biodiversity Visible Through Botanical Art
The main purpose behind the creation of these art pieces is to show Colombians that they live in a megadiverse and abundant country, home to endemic species that must be protected. The first step toward awareness and action is recognizing the animals and plants that surround us. Because of this, the project focuses primarily on species from Colombia’s animal and plant kingdoms, although flora and fauna from any part of the world are also welcome. For now, each unique piece is created on commission, through direct contact via the platform’s communication channels.
Fauna Flora has become a reference within Colombia’s design industry. Beyond combining different techniques that merge traditional skills with modern technology, it is guided by a larger purpose to communicate a message of environmental protection and care. The goal is to help people recognize and value the richness of Colombia’s vast natural territory through its most emblematic species, many of which are currently endangered.
The project is also deeply personal to its founder, Alejandra López. It reflects her long-standing connection to nature and memories from her time in the countryside on her family farm in Campohermoso, Boyacá, where she had close contact with animals and plants from an early age. It was there that her fascination with flora and fauna began to take shape, a connection that now translates into her work. Through Fauna Flora, she shares that relationship with the world, creating pieces that have been inspired by the natural environment from the very beginning.
Tulips to decorate your room
The Punch Needle Technique That Makes the Magic Happen
Punch needle is a form of hand embroidery that uses a hollow needle tool to push loops of thread through fabric, creating a textured, raised surface on the reverse side. Unlike traditional embroidery, where stitches are visible and structured on the front, punch needle work builds volume and texture through continuous looping, giving the surface a soft, almost woven appearance.
The technique is valued for its flexibility. By adjusting the size of the needle, the type of thread, and the density of the loops, artists can create everything from fine, delicate line work to bold, highly textured surfaces. It works across a range of fabrics, but is most commonly done on tightly woven textiles that can hold tension without distorting the design.
One of the defining characteristics of punch needle is its immediacy. The movement is fluid and repetitive, allowing forms to build quickly compared to other embroidery techniques. This makes it particularly suited to organic shapes and freehand illustration, where variation and slight irregularities become part of the visual language.
In contemporary textile art, punch needle is often used to bridge illustration and material design. It allows drawn ideas to be translated directly into tactile form, where line, color, and texture exist simultaneously. The result is not just a visual piece, but a surface that carries depth and physical presence.
Monstera leaves made by the punch and needle technique
Because of its adaptability, the technique is used in both decorative and functional applications, from wall hangings and framed works to upholstery and interior textiles. Its growing popularity in art and design comes from this balance between accessibility and expressiveness, offering artists a direct way to build image and texture at the same time.
To see all her work, make sure to visit Fauna Flora's Instagram account.
