Group of Peruvian women in embroidered hats and shawls sitting on a hillside with terraced Andean mountains behind them

Peruvian women weaving colorful textiles outdoors in traditional clothing

Basecamp

Woven Together

This International Women’s Day, we’re proud to introduce a few women who use their energy, artistry, and passion behind the scenes for PAKA.

From the Peruvian weavers at the CTTC who handcraft every Inca ID, to the women caring for alpacas in the Andes highlands, to the teammates behind the scenes, and to all of you wearing PAKA out into the world - women are woven into every part of our story.

This International Women’s Day, we’re celebrating a few of the incredible women behind the scenes at PAKA. Read on to hear their reflections and the advice they’d offer the next generation as they carve their own paths.

And because so many of you have asked for more women-specific styles, we wanted to mark the moment with something made just for you: Introducing the new Women’s Original Crew, knit from the same ultra-soft alpaca blend yarn as our bestselling Hoodie and with a feminine fit perfect for the trail, at the office, and everywhere in between. Plus, The Women’s Hoodie is coming back in four fresh new colors. Shop the Women's Original Crew and Women's Hoodie now.

The Women Behind PAKA

We’re honored to introduce you to a few of the remarkable women who help shape PAKA, from Peru to the US.

Mellanie standing outdoors in a purple jacket with misty mountains behind her, left panel overlay reads Mellanie

Mellanie, a PAKA team member, smiling in a purple jacket outdoors with mountains in the background

Who taught you something that shapes how you live or work?
My mom and my grandma taught me resilience in a very real, lived way. Growing up in a Guatemalan family, I watched them move through life with so much strength, pride, and love for community. They showed me how to keep going when things are hard, believe in yourself when the path isn’t clear, and love loudly and proudly. I carry that into my work every day, leading with warmth and care so every customer interaction feels thoughtful and deeply human.

What’s one piece of advice you would give to the next generation of women?
Trust yourself. Your perspective, your background, your voice all matter. You don’t have to dim your light to belong. Lead with kindness, stay curious, and don’t be afraid to take up space. And remember that loving loudly and proudly is a strength, not a weakness.

Woman in colorful traditional dress standing outdoors with a blurred natural background

What are you most proud of?
I am proud of knowing how to weave. I am grateful to my parents, the association, CTTC, and Mrs. Nilda, who helped us a lot. I may not have a professional degree, but I do have the skill of weaving.

What do you wish more people knew about your culture?
I would like other women to wear their traditional clothing like I do, and not like now with outfits made from synthetic threads (which lose their originality).

What’s one piece of advice you would give to the next generation of women?  
Do not lose your identity. Recover the traditional designs (pallay). Do not stop weaving, and in addition to your studies, learn how to weave as well. Be proud.

PAKA team member working at a production table in a workshop

Who taught you something that shapes how you live or work?
The person who most influenced the way I live was my aunt Consuelo. She always taught me that I should work and move forward on my own, without depending on a partner. She used to tell me that a woman must be prepared to stand up for herself and be independent, no matter what happens.

What are you most excited about for the future?
What excites me most about the future is continuing to support my children and always being there for them. As a single mother, I have taken on both the role of mother and father, and that motivates me to strive harder every day.

What’s one piece of advice you would give to the next generation of women?
To the girls and young women who are beginning their careers, I would say: always move forward and work for yourselves and your own future. To all of us women who are both mother and father to our children: do not give up in the face of difficulties. Moving forward is not only for men; we can also achieve everything we set our minds to.

Banner showing portrait of a smiling woman in a red knit hat with overlay text ‘Meet Maddie’ introducing a PAKA team member

Maddie smiling with a brown alpaca on a forest trail, PAKA accounting manager, Pacific Northwest, USA

What are you most proud of?
My kids are the thing I’m most proud of. They’re confident, joyful, silly, kind humans — everything I hoped they’d grow into. Parenting stretches me every day, but it’s the most rewarding work I’ve ever done.

What’s one piece of advice you would give to the next generation of women?
Don’t take “no” for an answer.

What do you wish more people knew about your culture?
I wish people understood the warmth of our people and how we are always willing to help a neighbor or a stranger, because community comes first.

What’s one piece of advice you would give to the next generation of women?
Be brave, take calculated risks, and remember that failure is just a step toward success.

Feature graphic: portrait of a woman with headline “Miriam” and mauve panel introducing the women behind PAKA

Photograph showing Miriam, a weaver at the Centro de Textiles Tradicionales del Cusco in Patabamba, Peru

Who taught you something that shapes how you live or work?
My main work is weaving. My mother taught me when I was 16 years old. Now I can help support my family financially.

What are you most excited about for the future?
To continue learning and improving my knitting techniques, and perhaps one day to have a shop for visitors.

What’s one piece of advice you would give to the next generation of women?
I would advise girls to learn how to weave and not forget these skills, and like me, to use them to help improve their family’s financial situation.

Marisol standing in a grassy field with mountains behind her, beside a beige panel reading ‘Marisol’

Woman standing in front of green hills and snow-capped mountains with overlay text ‘MARISOL’

What are you most proud of?
First and foremost, I am proud to be a woman and to be able to achieve my goals through my own effort.

What do you wish more people knew about your culture?
About the kindness and support we show to one another, and the traditions we uphold in our community.

What’s one piece of advice you would give to the next generation of women?
To continue honoring our traditions and customs in order to preserve them and pass them on to future generations.

Woman standing in a grassy highland wearing a light sweater with a three-star graphic and overlaid name and role text

Who taught you something that shapes how you live or work?
My mother. She is my greatest teacher. Everything I am carries her strength and her love. She taught me that true success begins with values - integrity, faith, and perseverance. Through her example, I learned that resilience is built quietly, with courage and dignity.

What’s one piece of advice you would give to the next generation of women?
Do not give up. Even when the road feels heavy, keep walking. Protect your dreams, your integrity, and your heart. Put yourself first without guilt - your light is needed in this world.

We’re so fortunate to know and work with these incredible women. Thanks to each of them for taking the time to share their perspective. As we celebrate their stories today, we’re reminded that progress is built in small, courageous steps taken by women who lead with heart, resilience, and vision.

To all the women in our community: thank you for the paths you’re forging and the example you set for those coming next. We’re proud to walk alongside you - not just today, but every day.