“Who and what do we value? This question sits at the heart of Care Culture, as people reprioritize wellbeing over work, investment over fast fashion, and the planet over profit. I was inspired by cozy streetwear and a consumer that cared deeply for their planet, their clothing, and themselves. Layered separates allow for the playful combination of multiple textures and silhouettes to maximize the pieces in our wardrobe. Yarn stitches and patches embrace a mending aesthetic, as we learn to care for our clothing and its longevity. Utilizing the color natural palette of alpaca with natural dyes to supplement allows the fibers to retain their sustainable qualities such as being biodegradable and eco-friendly. Alpaca fibers are also naturally hypoallergenic and non-irritating to the skin unlike sheep wool. Care culture places the responsibility in our own hands as we continue to learn the best ways for us to care for our clothing, ourselves, and our earth.”

— Natalia Mendoza