My educational journey has mostly been focused on environmental studies, such as environmental engineering, organic agriculture master, permaculture and bio cosmetics. I have been a consumer of organic and sustainable products for many years and after extensive travel, I realised how expensive these products are everywhere. Thus I decided to create a brand of affordable and exclusive environmentally conscious clothing.
Kuarashí means ‘sun’ in an indigenous Brazilian dialect and this name was chosen, as we originally launched as a swimwear label. At this time the most accessible ecologically conscious material for small brands was for swimwear.
Following extensive research and investments we have now begun to introduce a variety of additional sustainable materials, which has also resulted in a larger diversity of clothing options. All our items are always home- and heart-made.
We are a total of six people involved in developing all Kuarashí products.” (Mariana Pinheiro Lagos)
My personal short term goal is to be able to dedicate myself dull-time to Kuarashí and support myself exclusively from it. At the moment I am learning to sew, so that we can begin to produce in Europe as well as Brazil.
Our ambition is to keep our production small scale and reach conscious people from every part of the globe. To get there we believe we must offer a larger variety of high-quality eco clothing, with exclusive designs, patterns and illustrations made by friends,who are artists and designers.” (Mariana Pinheiro Lagos)
FABRIC
Our fabric is Oeko-Tex® certified and features a technology that inhibits the proliferation of bacteria and the consequent development of bad odour by the human body. This technology is not lost over time and the odour control reduces the need to machine wash, thus demanding much less water and less energy during its lifetime. This fabric doesn’t need ironing, which contributes even more to the protection of the environment.
YARN
Made from recycled PET bottles
HANG TAGS AND BUSINESS CARDS
Our tags and cards are made from a mix of recycled paper and renewable fibers. Specifically, banana tree fibers, cultivated for both productions of bananas and fibers. These tags and cards are ready to plant and available in a variety of seeds, according to the current season.
BAGS
Our bags are 100% handmade in jute, a biodegradable, compostable, sustainable and ancient material.” (Mariana Pinheiro Lagos)
Once we print the fabric we send it to my friend and her mother, who are seamstresses. When the item is done, my godmother prints the label on it and then it’s ready to be shipped inside a jute bag. Once the pieces are 100% ready they are shipped to the citizens who bought it, or when a new collection is ready, my mother sends the pieces to me from Brazil to Portugal.
Our next chapter is to begin producing in Europe to reduce our carbon footprint and production costs with the aim to be able to offer even more affordable eco clothing to our citizens.” (Mariana Pinheiro Lagos)