Cuyana

About Cuyana

Cuyana, founded in 2011 by Karla Gallardo and Shilpa Shah, operates on a “fewer, better things” philosophy, positioning itself as an alternative to the prevailing fast-fashion market. This ethos translates into a direct-to-consumer business model focused on women's luxury essentials, including apparel, premium leather handbags, and accessories, designed for longevity and timeless style. Revenue is generated primarily through online sales, supplemented by a growing network of physical retail stores which account for 15% of the total business revenue. The company's strategic decision to produce in small batches close to demand has resulted in a high sell-through rate, with approximately 90% of products sold at full price.

The founders' backgrounds are complementary; Gallardo brought experience from investment banking at Goldman Sachs and an MBA from Stanford, while Shah had over 15 years of experience in user interface design for major corporations. Gallardo's upbringing in Ecuador, where she valued well-made items, inspired the company's core vision. The duo met at Stanford and launched Cuyana to fill a market gap for high-quality, ethically produced, and accessibly priced luxury goods. Cuyana, meaning “to love” in Quechua, reflects this mission to create intentional, heritage-led products.

The target demographic consists of educated, professional women between the ages of 25 and 55 with higher disposable incomes, who value quality, transparency, and conscious consumerism. Cuyana’s products are crafted to be versatile and highly functional, such as totes with modular inserts and jackets that convert into vests. The brand emphasizes quality materials, sourcing from small, specialized factories in countries like Italy, Peru, and Ecuador, which are often located near the raw material source. This commitment extends to sustainability, with the company aiming for 100% of its materials to be sustainably certified and operating a resale program called Revive to give items a second life.