Today we’d like to introduce you to Kuu.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
The brand was founded in 2014 in Guadalajara, Mexico. Our jewelry is “SACRED ART WOVEN WITH LIGHT.” Each piece of jewelry is handmade by Wixarika Artisans in Mexico. Through KUU, we intend to re-signify the perception of Wixárika art in pieces with an aesthetic, cultural and social significance. The interest to further enhance the work of our artisans stems from the love and respect we have for our roots. After many years of growth and expansion of the brand throughout Mexico, it was time to extend our reach to the United States. The plan was to expand in 2020, but this was put on a brief hold due to the world facing the Covid pandemic. Although the pandemic is not yet over, we knew 2021 was our year. We decided to launch the brand in Miami as it is known to be a melting pot of many Latin American cultures. We are excited to present our brand and share our culture and traditions with the US.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Having to put the expansion of the brand into the US market on hold in 2020 was tough. The brand was ready and excited for this growth. As we new Americans were in love with our pieces and wanted more. We currently sell our brand in many top luxury hotels in Mexico, such as the Four Seasons in Vallarta and Mexico City and the Waldorf Astoria in Los Cabos. When American tourists would visit and come across our pieces, they were mesmerized and in love with our jewelry. Not just for the beautiful craftsmanship of 24k gold plated, silver, and platinum chaquira beads but also by the concept behind the brand. We work with local Wirarika artisans to use their skills to create the beautiful and luxurious pieces we sell. This is why having to pause in a time of uncertainty was difficult. The entire world has been impacted by this pandemic as were we. We took this time to plan and prepare for entering the US market strongly. As all strong brands do we had to learn to pivot and create a new timeline to launch. We decided Spring of 2021 was the right time to introduce the brand to this new market. We carefully choose to start by establishing in Miami to work with the amazing resources this city could provide for us. We are excited to see how positively we have been received so far, and we can’t wait to continue to expand.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
As a brand, we are the proudest of our relationship with the Wixarika Artisans. By working with these artisans, we are not only providing them with the opportunity to provide for their families, but we are also advocates for them and their culture. The vision of the Wixaritari becomes tangible in their traditional art pieces because it is more like a way of life than just an activity. The inner light they see allows them to contemplate in order to create. They walk to turn into their ancestors, to go back to the origin, to the center of the world where the Luminous Divine One was born. They walk to get to the heart of each other, and they keep walking. They are the Wixaritari, which name means “guardian, swift, rain, able, sharp-eyed, respectful,”; and thus have they lived since the beginning of time. Without a certain date of origin, they are believed to be one of the oldest indigenous groups of Mexico; and certainly one of the purest in language, traditions, and ways of life, which forms their cosmogony known as “El Costumbre.” The interest to further enhance the work of our artisans stems from the love and respect we have for our roots. Here begins the arduous and meticulous search for raw materials that pay fair tribute to the imagination and tradition of the Wixaritari people. Pride and satisfaction are present every time a family benefits from this hard work. We currently work with 52 artisans and we hope to be able to employ many more throughout the years to come.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
Miami is an incredible melting pot. The mixture of so many cultures, Latin cultures in particular, is so incredibly interesting. It has made the culture of Latinos in the United States is so strong and united. Miami has become such a unique and different city in the US that it attracts people from all across the world. Miami is vibrate, full of life, culture, music, beauty, and adventure. There is nothing about Miami we don’t love.
Pricing:
- Starting price point $30
- Top price point $325
Contact Info:
- Email: info@kuushop.us
- Website: https://kuushop.us
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kuushop_us/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Kuu-Art-US-103920931559279
Image Credits
In the Personal Image are the two founders of the brand: Martha Collignon Arizbeth Fierro and the Wixarika Artisans.
