Coco Cumbi was born when the founders, Gabriela from Ecuador and Lewis from the U.K, crossed paths in Cuenca and found themselves submerging in the unique colours, textures and designs of the local artisan pieces of alpaca clothing and traditional accessories.

The unique weaving skills on display by the local makers inspired the idea of Coco Cumbi to support the small local textile producers and promote the Ecuadorian culture alive around the world. 

Coco Cumbi is the name of a palm that grows in the Ecuadorian Andes. They have a significant cultural value to the country and have been consciously planted in Ecuadorian cities. 

Just like our products, they represent hundreds of years of South American history and tradition. 

Coco Cumbi works together with Kichwa artisans from the Otavalo culture that has prospered due to the high-quality production and a highly respected textile tradition.

The Otavalo people have been talented textile makers since ancient times and their methods have spread beyond the Andes region across the whole continent of South America.

Despite the cultural influences of the European colonization, their techniques have stayed the same since the pre-Inca Period.

The main raw material used by our artisans is alpaca wool. Other natural sources, such as unique flora dyes (cochineal, achiote, and tocte) give different shades of colour to the wool.​

To support our local partners like Don Miguel (as seen in the photos, working at his workshop located in Cuenca, Ecuador), we have created sustainable partnerships with various Otavalo families with the aim to preserve a culture and weaving technique in danger of disappearing.