La Flor Cerval: memoirs of a shepherd family
This interview is a pinch me moment for me. The November edition of Vogue Spain featured Marina Perez and her wonderful project La Flor Cerval, and after reading the article, I thought, "Oh, wow, I need to have this conversation with Marina" . It was like a dream. And now it's real.
I am extremely passionate about people who are living according to their own values, regardless of what others may think. I am also in love with women for whom living beautifully is a choice they embrace so naturally. I know that it is not an effortless thing to accomplish, as I am striving to live more at ease and as much as I can surrounded by nature, but it is certainly worth it.
I invite you to inhale deeply, enjoy a sip of your coffee or tea, and immerse yourself as you embark on an authentic, transcendental journey where nature and simplicity unite to create this beautiful story of Marina Perez and her family.
Who are Rodrigo and Marina?
We are a family of shepherds living and working in the Asturian mountains.
When and why did you decide to leave the city and move to a mountain area?
I believe we managed to break free from the expectations our families had for us and what we were "supposed" to accomplish in life. I was carrying a baby, and the instinct to give them a joyful life, connected to beautiful things and the values we truly cherish, became undeniable. We arrived at the village, rented a house, and remained here to live.
Neither Rodrigo nor I were ever city people. We grew up in the central region of Asturias, near Oviedo. The village where I was born is full of houses with gardens and industrial parks. But when I was a child, we had a vegetable garden and animals at home. I loved our two cows.
Rodrigo was happiest when he was working in the garden with his grandfather, near Avilés. That connection has always been something we shared.
How did the story of the Xalda sheep begin? What does La Flor Cerval represent, and why did you choose this name?
Shortly after arriving here, we acquired a small flock of Xalda sheep—two ewes (female sheep) with lambs and one ram. We’ve always loved sheep, and since we didn’t have much land at first, starting with small livestock seemed like a manageable way to build a family and a home.
To be honest, it wasn’t as straightforward as we thought. The Xalda sheep are a very rustic and hardy breed, but we live in an area with many predators—bears, wolves...Our herding model requires us to be very hands-on, gathering the animals every single night without exception. Despite these challenges, we love shepherding life. It’s demanding but deeply fulfilling.
The story of wool came hand in hand with herding. Using this resource from the animals was crucial for a land-based lifestyle, so we chose to use the wool from our own sheep instead of purchasing synthetic materials.
We used to do everything by hand—a slow and labour-intensive process that required many helping hands. With luck, we might end up with a couple of new pairs of socks each year.
A few years ago, we created La Flor Cerval and began processing wool on a larger scale. We collect, hand-select, and send the wool to one of the few remaining textile mills in this country. Along with our wool, we include wool from many other farmers, for whom this material has become more of a burden than a resource.
All of it comes from flocks of native Xalda sheep. This is the process by which we produce the yarn that we currently sell to both labourers and textile experts.
We created La Flor Cerval ("wild flower" in Asturian) not only to utilise this resource but also to highlight the beauty and value of the rustic.
It's about bringing attention to a world that is increasingly disappearing while also recognising something often overlooked, like wool.
Photo 2: @teresasuarezphoto
Tell me about the process of turning sheep's wool into the fibre you sell. I find it fascinating. Did you learn all the steps yourself, or did you have help?
I gained an understanding of the processes involved in working with wool through extensive experimentation and curiosity. But I also have to say that since moving to the village, I’ve learnt more from my neighbours than I did at university.
The knowledge of the land and every aspect of life here is, in itself, an incredibly rich and extensive culture—one that is slowly losing its transmission and legacy.
Through my work, I promote ethical and responsible brands from Romania and internationally. One of them is AIRE Official, whose wool is not only of the highest quality but feels like it’s caressing your skin without any itchiness. Do you consider collaborations with other European countries, not just locally in Spain? If so, how and where can potential collaborators reach you?
We are open to collaborating wherever opportunities arise, as long as we feel that the project aligns with our values.
Potential collaborators can reach out to us through our website or social media channels, where we actively engage with enquiries and partnerships.
I saw on La Flor Cerval's Instagram that you dye fibres naturally. If my memory serves me correctly, I believe I saw onion skins in one of your posts. Could you tell me more about this? I'm particularly interested in this topic because the majority of the clothing we wear contains chemicals from synthetic dyes.
Natural dyeing is something I’m deeply passionate about. It feels like pure alchemy to translate the beauty of this landscape into the fibers. The pigments from flowers, branches, and leaves transfer onto the wool through a slow cooking process, much like preparing the finest dishes.
Alum, a type of salt, is used in the mordant process, which fixes the colour onto the wool. I carry out this process on a very small scale, creating batches of just 10 skeins of yarn at a time.
I make the most of the heat from our winter stove for the dyeing process, and I fit it into the little free time I have amidst the many other tasks involved in mountain life.
We’ve been living in Genalguacil for almost 8 months, one of the most beautiful villages in Spain. Moving from Bucharest, the capital of Romania, to this village nestled in the mountains feels like a luxury we've wanted, and we made it happen for ourselves and our little one. How has your life changed since moving to the village?
Our life, upon arriving in this village, found its meaning and fulfillment. We believed in our dreams, and in a natural way, they began to come true on their own, without the need for organisation or planning. But yes, a lot of work.
A year after we moved into a rental house, we were offered the chance to buy a stable with a large piece of land, and little by little we began transforming this place into our home.
We did most of the work ourselves, especially Rodrigo. Even though it's a modest cabin, I take pride in every detail because, despite its imperfections, we made it with a tremendous deal of love.
What values do you teach your three children?
For us, it’s important to be together. We’re loud and temperamental, but we’re very united. We do a lot of tasks together. I like having them help me cook, each in the way that suits them best.
I also love seeing them wild in the meadow, climbing trees, and playing in the mud. They enjoy building things, which I believe is a trait they inherit from their parents. Life with the animals gives them so much tenderness.
Honestly, I don’t even know where to start. Parenting is such a crazy adventure...
What routines and rituals help you embrace the art of living beautifully?
It's difficult to pinpoint, but I believe that watching the clothes shine in the sun and move with the wind while they dry on the line makes me happy;
Feeling the chill on my face as I venture out to gather firewood during the winter, marking the transition of seasons;
Watching the animals as they eat;
Resting after physical effort;
Enjoying family cuddles, whether Dad reads us stories or we watch Little House on the Prairie together at night;
Autumn brings light, while spring brings greenery...
It's possible to connect with these elements without actively seeking them out.