May 2nd, 2025
VOL. 005
Written and published in collaboration with ‘Not Just A Label’ - Read this article online here
Born in Buenos Aires and now also in Barcelona, Studio Cumbre is a collaborative, inclusive brand that holds sustainability and thoughtful resource management at the heart of its identity. In their words, their mission is to ‘redefine the way we dress and the way we think about fashion’.
Founded by Creative Director Micaela, Cumbre strives to create garments that are constructed not only to last, but to adapt and evolve with the wearer. Acknowledging that the human body is ever-changing in shape and size, Cumbre’s designs are versatile and adjustable - crafted to cater to bodies through the passage of time.
Micaela’s interest in fashion traces far back into her family, one side of her family owning wool factories in Milan, and the other side a textile shop in the heart of Paris. When her family emigrated to Latin America they were determined to keep their love of fashion alive. Micaela and her family view fashion as a way to be resilient - no matter where they are in the world, they can constantly create and find inspiration through clothing. Cumbre has grown as a celebration of this story.
Micaela founded Cumbre as a way to channel her love of natural handmade clothing and to foster a bond between her heritage with modern methodologies. Cumbre is a brand whose ethical pillars are deep-rooted and authentic, Micaela’s passion for sustainable fashion and her heritage is evident in every corner of the brand identity. Her story is one of determination and the preservation of tools and practices.
Eager to not let traditional sustainable methods and practices fade away, every garment is made using a blend of modern and old artisanal techniques as a way to navigate and develop alternative ways of designing sustainably. This merges Cumbre’s roots and heritage with a future-focused approach to adapting the ways we can create clothing that is built to last.
Prioritising quality over quantity, the timeless creations of Cumbre celebrate craftsmanship and ready-to-wear pieces over fast-fashion and micro-trends. Harnessing not only sustainability but also cultural identity at the heart of the brand, Cumbre captures a conversation between the east and west, combining Latin American techniques and traditions with modern Eastern shapes and patterns. This honors the history and practices that shaped the origin of the brand.
Cumbre’s commitment to sustainability is evident in every single step of their garment production. The journey of each piece is one of intention, care, and integrity.
Cumbre’s collections always focus on a neutral palette, as they value shapes and pieces that are versatile and wearable for everyone. This also allows their artisans to work with raw, undyed fabrics to preserve the origin of the materials.
Each piece is crafted from natural, raw fibers and mono-compositions such as recycled cotton, linen, tencel, and merino wool and with dye made of food waste from coffee, tea, and onion peel. Furthermore, any discarded or unused material is recycled to eliminate waste, and they also design their own trimmings from existing material to eliminate use of virgin materials. Not only does this allow for more ethical clothing production, but it also acknowledges the recyclability of each piece.
To reduce carbon emissions and prioritise low-waste production, all manufacturing takes place in one workshop. Every piece is shipped from either Buenos Aires or Barcelona, which further reduces shipping distance and carbon-emissions.
What is truly fascinating about Studio Cumbre is how they incorporate blockchain technology into their approach to clothing manufacturing. With every garment comes a scannable code and NFC label with a link to a blockchain. When scanned with a phone, the user can track the origin and history of the garment, allowing the history of each garment to be traced for future generations, as these pieces are created to last for years.
This gives each item a voice and a way to tell a story of how clothing is made, allowing for each garment to be treated like a piece of art. Cumbre uses fashion as a tool for social change and their products have a positive social impact, not only through the ways in which they promote zero-waste manufacturing but in the important narrative each piece holds.
Another way in which Cumbre utilizes technology is through the use of AI. Through utilizing advanced technology they are able to optimize their time to craft efficiently.
Cumbre is a collaborative house that values partnership with artists and designers, ensuring that everything is made by people who invest their time and passion.
At its core, Cumbre is a business rooted in a passion for heritage and artisanal craftsmanship and has blossomed into a brand that is paving the way for the ways in which fashion can be more sustainable. By bridging technology with tradition, Cumbre is expanding and opening the doors for design by making clothing that is built to last without harming the earth.
WRITTEN BY LUCY MARSHALL
All images are sourced from Cumbre, explore more at their official website: https://studiocumbre.com/
Born in Buenos Aires and now also in Barcelona, Studio Cumbre is a collaborative, inclusive brand that holds sustainability and thoughtful resource management at the heart of its identity. In their words, their mission is to ‘redefine the way we dress and the way we think about fashion’.
Founded by Creative Director Micaela, Cumbre strives to create garments that are constructed not only to last, but to adapt and evolve with the wearer. Acknowledging that the human body is ever-changing in shape and size, Cumbre’s designs are versatile and adjustable - crafted to cater to bodies through the passage of time.
Micaela’s interest in fashion traces far back into her family, one side of her family owning wool factories in Milan, and the other side a textile shop in the heart of Paris. When her family emigrated to Latin America they were determined to keep their love of fashion alive. Micaela and her family view fashion as a way to be resilient - no matter where they are in the world, they can constantly create and find inspiration through clothing. Cumbre has grown as a celebration of this story.
Micaela founded Cumbre as a way to channel her love of natural handmade clothing and to foster a bond between her heritage with modern methodologies. Cumbre is a brand whose ethical pillars are deep-rooted and authentic, Micaela’s passion for sustainable fashion and her heritage is evident in every corner of the brand identity. Her story is one of determination and the preservation of tools and practices.
Eager to not let traditional sustainable methods and practices fade away, every garment is made using a blend of modern and old artisanal techniques as a way to navigate and develop alternative ways of designing sustainably. This merges Cumbre’s roots and heritage with a future-focused approach to adapting the ways we can create clothing that is built to last.
Prioritising quality over quantity, the timeless creations of Cumbre celebrate craftsmanship and ready-to-wear pieces over fast-fashion and micro-trends. Harnessing not only sustainability but also cultural identity at the heart of the brand, Cumbre captures a conversation between the east and west, combining Latin American techniques and traditions with modern Eastern shapes and patterns. This honors the history and practices that shaped the origin of the brand.
Cumbre’s commitment to sustainability is evident in every single step of their garment production. The journey of each piece is one of intention, care, and integrity.
Cumbre’s collections always focus on a neutral palette, as they value shapes and pieces that are versatile and wearable for everyone. This also allows their artisans to work with raw, undyed fabrics to preserve the origin of the materials.
Each piece is crafted from natural, raw fibers and mono-compositions such as recycled cotton, linen, tencel, and merino wool and with dye made of food waste from coffee, tea, and onion peel. Furthermore, any discarded or unused material is recycled to eliminate waste, and they also design their own trimmings from existing material to eliminate use of virgin materials. Not only does this allow for more ethical clothing production, but it also acknowledges the recyclability of each piece.
To reduce carbon emissions and prioritise low-waste production, all manufacturing takes place in one workshop. Every piece is shipped from either Buenos Aires or Barcelona, which further reduces shipping distance and carbon-emissions.
What is truly fascinating about Studio Cumbre is how they incorporate blockchain technology into their approach to clothing manufacturing. With every garment comes a scannable code and NFC label with a link to a blockchain. When scanned with a phone, the user can track the origin and history of the garment, allowing the history of each garment to be traced for future generations, as these pieces are created to last for years.
This gives each item a voice and a way to tell a story of how clothing is made, allowing for each garment to be treated like a piece of art. Cumbre uses fashion as a tool for social change and their products have a positive social impact, not only through the ways in which they promote zero-waste manufacturing but in the important narrative each piece holds.
Another way in which Cumbre utilizes technology is through the use of AI. Through utilizing advanced technology they are able to optimize their time to craft efficiently.
Cumbre is a collaborative house that values partnership with artists and designers, ensuring that everything is made by people who invest their time and passion.
At its core, Cumbre is a business rooted in a passion for heritage and artisanal craftsmanship and has blossomed into a brand that is paving the way for the ways in which fashion can be more sustainable. By bridging technology with tradition, Cumbre is expanding and opening the doors for design by making clothing that is built to last without harming the earth.
WRITTEN BY LUCY MARSHALL
All images are sourced from Cumbre, explore more at their official website: https://studiocumbre.com/