By By Paz Coliguante - Translated by Laura Osuna

 

Claudia, founder of CALI - Textile Art, has managed to transform her passion for visual arts into a brand that blends art with sustainability. Through her work, which began in Brazil and deepened in the argentine Patagonia, Claudia has created unique pieces that are not only an artistic expression but also a tribute to the native forest that inspires her. As part of the MOLA directory, she focuses on environmental respect, standing out for her creative process that uses natural materials and ancestral techniques aimed at minimizing ecological impact.

About Her Work and Brand

Claudia shares how her journey into textile art began, the materials she uses, and the creative process that allows her to craft unique pieces. 

 

Q: How did your interest in textile art arise, and what inspired you to start your career as a textile artist? 

A: I studied visual arts in Bahia, Brazil, where I also discovered the Serti technique for painting on silk. Switching mediums was the first impulse. I worked with silk for nearly 10 years at the beginning of my venture.

 

Q: What are the main materials you use in your creations, and why did you choose them?

 

A: Discovering natural dyes made me question the textiles I was using. Although silk is natural, I wondered where it came from, who made it, and under what conditions. It was a long process to transition to cotton and find an argentine cotton cooperative that worked with purpose.

Q: How would you describe your creative process? Is there a specific tradition or technique you use? 

 

A: I studied Sumie for several years, and along with learning how to produce natural dyes, I incorporated various ancient artisanal stamping techniques. Today, I might stand out for the way I combine all this knowledge with a more artistic approach.

 

Q: What kind of products do you currently offer, and what makes them unique? 

 

A: My main products today are pashminas and cotton t-shirts. I also work on linen production and artisanal dyeing of wool with Patagonian inks. The pieces are unique, with handmade finishes. They stand out for small embroidered or even hand-painted details. Another feature that make us different is the purpose of the proyect: the native forest, its recognition to learn to respect it.

 

Q: How do you choose the colors, patterns, and textures for your products? 

 

A: Always inspired by the forest. Villa La Angostura is immersed and tangled within the Patagonian Andean forest. A simple autumn walk can inspire me for the whole year. I collect consciously and promote the use of native plants in garden fences. I work with block prints of the most characteristic leaves and transfer flowers and berries directly onto the fabric.

About Sustainability

In our conversation, Claudia shares how she implements sustainable practices in all her production process and commits to minimizing environmental impact. She also talks about recycling and the use of natural materials as part of her work philosophy.

 

Q: What does sustainability mean to you in the world of clothing? 

 

A: Basically, it means stopping consumption without open our eyes. It’s one of the most urgent issues to address. I think that once people see it, they immediately accept and incorporate it.

 

Q: What sustainable practices do you implement in your creative process? 

 

A: All of them! I might take the longer path, but the entire process is sustainable. I produce my own inks, most of which come from compost materials that help reduce my waste. I also use exotic plants that need to be controlled to prevent them from harming the native forest, on which the entire regional ecosystem depends. The textiles are argentine and chemical-free. The production is made with the local cooperative Costureras del Sur, and the rest is hand-sewn. The threads I use are also from the cotton cooperative, and nothing is wasted. The packaging is made from discarded cardboard.

 

Q: How do you manage textile production waste? Do you have any strategies to minimize it? 

 

A: Generally, I use everything, and and the pattern-making is also designed to avoid waste.

In 2023, I set up a textile installation at the local contemporary art museum using all the atelier remnants (which continue to be recycled into buttons and appliqués). It was a giant textile forest dyed with local inks, open to walk through. We held textile art workshops and talks about native plants and how to recognize them.

 

Q: Do you work with suppliers who also follow sustainable practices? How do you choose them? 

 

A: Initially, it was challenging to find them, but as you get involved and attend events, you make connections. I mainly work with national cooperatives.. I still want to meet more and expand that area of my entrepreneurship with a more collaborative approach.

 

About Her Participation in MOLA

 

Claudia tells us about her relationship with MOLA, her participation in activities and events, and how this platform has allowed her to connect with other sustainable fashion stakeholders. She also shares her expectations and the message she wants to convey to emerging brands.

 

Q: Why did you decide to join MOLA? 

 

C: I learned about it through other events with colleagues who had already participated in MOLA. I really liked the proposal and the style.

 

Q: How do you think this platform can help you connect with a wider audience interested in sustainable fashion? 

 

A: It simply brings that specific market together—both consumers and potential business investors.

 

Q: How has collaboration with the foundation influenced your work? 

 

A: I couldn't attend the event in Uruguay due to scheduling conflicts, although I received a half scholarship. For now, I've only participated in one training session, but since I was setting up a textile installation at the same time, I had to send a representative and couldn’t be there personally. The rest of the collaboration has been virtual.

 

Q: What do you hope to learn or share through your participation in the foundation? 

 

A: I would like to experience the events firsthand, then connect with other opportunities that allow me to expand and share ideas.

 

Q: What message would you like to convey to other brands and designers starting to explore sustainable fashion? 

 

A: I would tell them that it’s the only way forward. Why to beat around the Bush when you’ll eventually have to make the change? Everyone has something new and valuable to contribute.

 

Q: Do you have any future projects you’d like to share with us that involve sustainability in some way? 

 

A: Yes! The textile experiences in the forest, are tourist experiences that involve walking and learning about the forest, understanding its community to learn from it. It involves an artistic perspective on how to navigate life.

 

Claudia, besides being an artist committed to sustainability, is part of the MOLA brand directory. Her participation in this space allows her to continue connecting with other key players in the field and expand her vision of sustainable fashion. With each piece she creates, Claudia continues to demonstrate that art and ecological awareness can go hand in hand, inspiring other brands to follow her example.