Cuyana

Cuyana is a sustainable womenswear brand committed to responsibly and consciously producing clothing that enables maximum wear. Co-founders Karla Gallardo and Shilpa Shah met while getting their MBAs at Stanford University, ready to begin new professional endeavors. Gallardo was inspired by her childhood in Ecuador, where she witnessed the importance of heritage craftsmanship and traditional artistry, and sought to incorporate this artistry in the Cuyana brand. To support local economies and reduce their carbon footprint, Cuyana collaborates with small family-run businesses that are located near where they source their materials. In an attempt to prevent overproduction, the brand produces in small batches, buying as close to demand as possible. In 2019, the brand sold through 90% of the products made, while other industry competitors typically have sell-through rates of 60-70%. Focusing on their locally sourced materials, in 2020, Cuyana scored 72% on the certification scorecard for raw material and 95% on its leather and fabric production. They plan to increase both scores to 100% by the end of 2023. In line with their “fewer, better” promise, Cuyana facilitates repairs and provides cleaning services with their Leather Spa while working with ThredUP as a resale partner to extend the life of their products. To learn more about Cuyana’s sustainable initiatives, click here.

Website: Cuyana