Introducing the Puya Collection: A story of beauty and resilience

Q&A with Maria, the Estudio Alba founder

What’s the inspiration behind the new collection?

The collection draws inspiration from Puya raimondii, a rare plant native to the Andean mountains, often referred to as the “Queen of the Andes.” Celebrated for its monumental scale and almost mythical presence, this extraordinary species is now facing extinction as a result of climate change. Its beauty, fragility, and quiet power became the emotional and visual foundation of the collection.

Why Puya?

As the very first collection from Estudio Alba, this project carries deep significance for us. From the beginning, our vision has been to root each collection in South American nature, heritage, and history. The first collection, however, was also a process of discovery—of defining who we are as a brand. When we learned about the singular nature of Puya raimondii and the threats it faces, we felt an immediate connection. Its story mirrors the narratives we want to explore through our designs: beauty shaped by resilience, and heritage challenged yet enduring.

What was the design process like?

The process began with research—immersing ourselves in images of the plant and its surrounding landscape, and building a visual mood board that captured its spirit. From there, we moved into sketching and prototyping, experimenting with form, texture, and proportion. Over the course of three months, the designs evolved through continuous refinement until we arrived at the final prototypes and molds ready for production.

What was the most challenging part of designing this collection?

Learning when to let go. Elimination is one of the most difficult yet essential parts of the design process. We created many pieces we loved, but launching a first collection with more than twenty designs felt overwhelming and unfocused. Narrowing the selection required clarity—choosing the pieces that most authentically represented the brand and its point of view.

What message does this collection communicate?

This collection is an invitation to wear strength with softness. It speaks to inner resilience and femininity, echoing the enduring spirit of nature—its beauty, its vulnerability, and its quiet power in the face of uncertainty.