Nannacay, named after the Quechua Aymara word ‘Nãnākay’ meaning sisterhood of women, sets out to create just that through working with artisans in Brazil, Peru and Ecuador. We spoke to founder Marcia Kemp about the importance of creativity and craft as tools to build community, helping women towards a better life.
What inspired you to launch your brand?
I worked as a global sales executive for IBM for 25 years, while volunteering at Rio’s Child Institute, an NGO and developing corporate citizen projects. Taking from my life in Brazil and travels in Africa, I became very inspired by people and culture and I wanted to take this and show it to the contemporary world. Nannacay was born from a search to leave something behind; we wanted to build a legacy.
When did you launch?
We only launched in 2014, so Nannacay is still a baby. Back then, people still weren’t talking about sustainability as they are now, but I saw a gap, a space for greater change, and I wanted to take it.
What is Nannacay’s mission?
We want to give the people who make the products work to help themselves, their children and make their life better. We work with remote regions in Brazil, Peru and Ecuador. They are marginalised groups, people that can’t afford much, and what we are doing for them is providing them with the possibility of a better life.
The difference between Nannacay and other fashion brands is that is isn’t just about fashion for us – the aim is to transform people’s lives. The women who buy my bags admire simplicity and beauty, but they also want to give back to society.