Akuaipa Artisans

How ethical is Akuaipa Artisans?

Akuaipa Artisans sells Wayuu mochilas, colourful bags hand-woven by indigenous Wayuu women in Colombia, and pays the artisans who make them a fair price for their work. It is a top-rated brand in our Ethical Fashion Retailers Ratings Table, holding Ethical Accreditation from The GOOD Shopping Guide with a GSG score of 99.

The brand has also earned Ethical Innovator status, an award reserved for the most pioneering brands we assess. It recognises the company’s philanthropic ethos and its sustainable approach to fashion.

In which areas does Akuaipa Artisans perform well?

Akuaipa Artisans performs strongly across the ethical criteria in our Fashion assessment. Our research found no criticisms against the company in the areas of human rights, animal welfare, armaments, political donations, irresponsible marketing, or fossil fuel links.

The bags contain no animal-derived materials. They are made from acrylic and cotton, meaning they are not associated with the controversial and harmful trades involving animal byproducts like wool and leather.

The company is also open about its supply chain, sharing how and where its products are made. You can find out more about this here.

What makes Akuaipa Artisans sustainable?

Akuaipa Artisans builds sustainability into how its products are made and who makes them. Each bag is woven entirely by hand using traditional Wayuu techniques, keeping the environmental impact of production low.

The company pays a fair price to the Wayuu artisans it works with and directs 10% of its profits to cultural programmes that help the Wayuu community preserve its language and traditions. Its aim is to make fashion culturally sustainable, giving something back to the people who create the products.

Durability and packaging matter too. The bags are designed to last a lifetime, reducing the need to replace them, and all packaging is 100% recyclable.

How did Akuaipa Artisans attain Ethical Accreditation?

To achieve Ethical Accreditation, Akuaipa Artisans was assessed by The GOOD Shopping Guide against a range of ethical criteria covering its impact on the environment, animals, and people. The company met the ethical benchmark and is subject to regular review to confirm it continues to meet the standard.

As an accredited brand, Akuaipa Artisans is permitted to use the GOOD Shopping Guide Ethical Accreditation mark, an independent sign shoppers can use to identify brands that have been verified as ethical.