The message makes sustainable fashion and this is perfectly embodied in Meüs.The fashion firm from Guatemala stands out for its simple, synthetic and enveloping garments, which highlight the language of the fiber and the artisanal techniques that created them.For Sofia Contreras-Paredes, the creative mind that drives Meüs, ‘each collection defines its aesthetics for its message’, which is a faithful reflection of the voice that files the strong convictions of the young designer.

More than a traditional fashion brand, MEÜS is recognized as a design study where the conceptualization of ideas is translated from textile manipulation. In this sense, each collection starts from the research on a particular topic and ends up functioning as a kind of permanent collection of the brand. The work with artisans, the exploration of a limited color palette to talk about blindness or neat representation of the trip of a backpack are some of the concepts explored in Meüs, guided by instinct and curiosity. In this way, the versatility of the work of Sofia Contreras-Paredes transcends the clothing, being able to bring her ideas and concepts one step further through each piece created, whether objects or garments. ‘I am sure that my upbringing influenced 100% on what I do. I come from a family of creatives: my dad is an architect, my mother designer of jewelry and businesswoman, I have a brother who is a painter and anthropologist and another who is my chef.

Social consciousness, perception (reliable) of reality and social affairs make the essence of meüs.His commitment is to the message, with the idea of creating meaningfully, maintaining artisanal processes through conceptualization.That is why Paredes-Contreras is inclined to say that his brand is not sustainable, but sustainable.‘The sustainable allows you to act in the present without affecting it, to build the future.For me to be sustainable is the personal, collective and business goal, it is to be and act with consciousness towards your environment and towards yourself.

Who is Sofia the creative mind behind meüs?

The curious (and activist) essence of Sofia Paredes-Contreras Guide and is reflected in the work of Meüs, a space where the designer turns her concerns and desires.Her interest in fashion began at an early age, although she was reflected through the Enlightenment.What interested her most, or perhaps intrigued her, was to be able to give light to the taboo themes of the industry, such as the use of skins, the slaughter of animals and social responsibility in the impact on the planet.‘I felt that there was something in that creative space that would allow me to give my opinion in a more personal and intimate way,’ reflects Sofía Paredes-Contreras.

In what context did Meüs arise?

Sofia Paredes-Contreras acknowledges that she never saw fashion from a commercial sense, but rather as an artistic discharge space.Therefore, the idea of a brand with her own name was always part of the designer's vision, who, at the end of her studies, formally founded Meüs.‘For me, fashion at its maximum splendor is the art that is for everyone and that is seen in any corner of the world, without the need for a gallery.When I went to study, I thought that the only way to have creative freedom was going to be if I had my own name, so Meüs was born in my mind, and when he returned to Guatemala, he was born in the real world.

Each collection shows a particular universe, being a channel to express and give light, through research, to issues that concern the designer.From the preservation of the ancestral knowledge of Guatemala through the development of pieces in conjunction with artisans, to the creation of a collection that leads us to reflect on the senses and the perception, created in collaboration with non-vindent people, the path ofMEÜS is as diverse as its creator is.

How did your link with artisan communities begin?

Textile development manually is one of the bases of Meüs, so it was that in 2014 Sofía Paredes-Contreras began to give textile manipulation workshops, called Texil Metamorphosis.There the idea was to be able to share their knowledge and publicize the power that their hands have to create, manipulate or alter the forms.In this sense, for her education has a special role, since she managed to understand the fibers and materials through her teacher, Anita Evenepoel, a renowned textile artist.It is through vocation, generosity and humility of walls-counts that lies its ability to recognize the value of the knowledge of Guatemalan artisan masters and their innovative gaze, which leads it to recognize that joint work is possible forGenerate a new language.

‘They are teachers in the arts of manual creation, so it seemed to me the right step and, being sincere, their interest in experiencing with me made me realize that I was with the right minds.’The societas collection of her, developed with Nelly Rose and the Cooperatives of artisans Chuwila, Adiba and Las Rosas is a faithful reflection of the power of work together.In each piece created, it is sought to preserve the cultural idiosyncracy of the communities, giving a modern look at ancestral techniques.‘The fact of having a cultural textile wealth and artisan masters who are interested in working in symbiosis with studies like ours, makes our experience, a more intimate, slower and more human’.

What are the pillars that make me a sustainable brand?

While they are not defined as a 100% sustainable firm, MEÜ is on the path of sustainability.‘It was the fact of looking for this sustainability that I take us in 2018 to turn Meüs more than a brand, a creative study;Where we offer other creatives, the services we create.Over time we have allied with other small studies and artisan cooperatives, each experts in their area, waiting for that unity and collective thinking, to grow an industry from which we can live, create and develop, 'he saysIts creator.First of all, the search for meüs is that every action has a positive social impact and is generated from the collaboration and exchange of different points of view.For this creative study, education through shared knowledge and creative exploration, aware of processes are part of their path to sustainability.

As for the materials they use, most fabrics are local.One of its main suppliers is The New Denim Project, the recycled cotton firm.They also work with alpaca wool that imported from Peru and other suppliers that allow them to have access to bamboo thread.They also work with cooperatives that have their suppliers of certified materials for export and crystal mustacilla, also certified for export.That allows to guarantee a better way work.

Where can you find the pieces of meüs?

Currently, the MEüs collections can be obtained through their online store or through scheduled visits in their showroom in Guatemala.Recently they joined Datura, a project for the sale of sustainable brands from Guatemala, where you can find their collections.