SUSTAINABILITY AS HERITAGE

Chiara Macchiavello is a designer and entrepreneur who founded ESCVDO, a sustainable luxury brand inspired by Peru’s rich textile heritage. Growing up with strong ties to Peru and its diverse cultures, she developed close relationships with local artisans, working to highlight their craftsmanship while promoting sustainable practices and community support.

1. ESCVDO is a particular name: what does it represent and why did you choose it?

ESCVDO has a lot of meanings, and at the same time carries a lot of symbolism. The word ‘escudo’ in Spanish means shield, as part of an armor meant for protection. But the word also means crest, as a symbol identifying a family, a clan, or in this case, Peru, as a country, which holds the National Crest as an identity symbol to which we are exposed and connected to since birth. The brand to me signifies Identity, a connector to one’s origins, and also a way to present oneself to the outside world.

2. It is very important for you to keep Peruvian textile traditions alive, how do you choose the artisanal techniques to enhance and integrate into the collections?

Over the past 20 years, I have developed a close relationship with Master Artisans, who have helped shape the brand’s DNA. From loomed textiles, to crochet and embroidery, each technique is selected in conversation with the inspiration and exploration behind each new collection. At the same time we have built an archive dedicated to exploring variations and innovation around certain techniques, which we select in order to create a balance between innovation and the ESCVDO house codes.

3. Do you have a personal memory related to Peruvian crafts/textiles that has marked you in a special way?

While I was living in London, 21 years ago, I had the opportunity to return to Peru and embark on an extensive journey through the heart of the Andes. There, I had the privilege of visiting many places and connecting with different communities — their cultural expressions, and the ways these were reflected in unique textile techniques that told the stories of their land and their people. I believe this experience ignited something within me and sparked what would later become ESCVDO.

4. Escvdo is a sustainable fashion example, what does "sustainability" mean to you?

When the brand was founded 13 years ago, we established our own model on how to create, communicate and sell our work. These actions were sustainable before ‘sustainability’ was part of the industry’s vocabulary. For us, this whole journey has been about thinking, acting and communicating with transparency, respect and coherence. Being responsible as a platform, of developing a healthy business, with ethical processes, while creating growth for everyone involved.

5. Is there a relationship for you between the protection of cultural roots and the protection of the planet?

I’ve been privileged with travelling many countries around the world, exploring and learning from many cultures, only to be continuously amazed by our ancestral knowledge, finding ways to grow, heal and create, collectively. I think that is the key that will re-align us as a society with our priorities, our true connection to Earth, and our purpose.

6. Can the preservation of artisan traditions become a key to addressing environmental challenges?

I believe returning to how things were created and consumed in the past, gives us a blueprint on how to decelerate the damaging path our planet is currently in. To use natural fibers, extracted responsibly, woven and knitted to create pieces minimizing waste, to engage with people through transparent, ethical and fair work relationships, and to educate the consumer on buying timeless pieces, which carry time, patience, care and energy with them, to accompany them for a long period of their lives.

7. How do you imagine ESCVDO in 10 years?

I always envisioned ESCVDO as a lifestyle brand, a space from where we could launch different product lines, all under our same philosophy and aesthetic codes. At the same time, ESCVDO was always meant to be a platform to educate future generations. A gateway into the art of weaving, knitting, and developing textile through the artisanal knowledge that is our heritage as Peruvians.

8. Will the fashion industry and consumers change their mentality, becoming more Aware?

I believe change will come gradually. Perhaps it will be slower to de-escalate due to the culture of over-consumption we have entered over the past few decades. Nevertheless, younger generations are more aware now, of the damage our planet is under, and how our actions affect our future. We wish to continue contributing to change from our platform, and hope more brands will join these efforts.

9. Does Escvdo plan to extend beyond Peru in your future projects?

Definitely, yes. I think our model can be replicated in many different territories. Currently 95% of our team consists of women, many of them coming from extreme poverty and unstable households. Knitting and weaving lead to economic growth and independence. We wish to continue developing this model all over Peru, while also joining forces with other organizations, artisan collectibles and non profits, to guarantee the same work standards we have been championing since the beginning of the brand.