In 2000 the founders of Kuyichi, NGO Solidaridad, were looking to introduce organic cotton in to the clothing and fashion industries. Following their experience with the development of fair trade organic coffee and fruit in Latin America, they had discovered that the cotton industry was causing pollution that also resulted in poverty among indigenous Amerindians and factory workers. Solidaridad decided to make a change.
First, it tried to convince the major players in the denim industry to use more organic cotton, and to improve the working and living conditions of its staff in developing countries. At the time not one of the brands showed an interest in change and as a result Solidaridad decided to start its own fashion brand in response. In 2001 Kuyichi was born.
Ten years after its launch, Kuyichi has grown into a trend-setting jeans label, which is also at the forefront of what it likes to call the ‘Organic Revolution’. In cooperation with MADE-BY, Kuyichi is constantly working to clean up its production process and increase its use of sustainable materials.
Nearly half of all Kuyichi’s tops are now made from organically grown cotton, while the jeans use a 40% blend. Kuyichi produces its collections in Turkey, Peru, Tunisia and India, with some production in China and Italy.
Kuyichi continues to innovate and is exploring and developing new sustainable production processes and materials, including recycled polyester, Tencel®, spare denim and hemp.
Today Kuyichi has more than 200 points of sale in the Netherlands and is also available in more than 500 stores across Europe as well as in Australia, and a number of other countries.
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