Meet Ainara Calahorra

We recently connected with Ainara Calahorra and have shared our conversation below.

Ainara, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
Purpose through life can change, stay, and/or evolve. In my case, at a crossroads in my life and career, I discovered my purpose by being honest with myself. After 20 years of psychology, the calling for change became undeniable, pushing me to confront the discomfort and embark on a path of creativity. I am still a caring person, but my channel now is creativity and sustainability, and offering creations (accessories and clothing) that make the clients feel how special they are. Same person, with a similar core purpose (of helping others), but a different channel (sewing and painting).

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
Sure! I am Ainara, founder of MuXu Creations, we are a Slow Fashion brand in San Diego. I would like to emphasize that we design and make our accessories and clothing in our studio, avoiding overseas production chains or sending creations to big factories. Our customer knows exactly how, where, when, and by whom their garments are made.

So if I have to summarize what we do in one sentence, we transform preexisting material into functional, stylish pieces, blending sewing with watercolor art.

Using deadstock fabric, swatches, and remnant fabric, we challenge our creativity to design one-of-a-kind garments with attention to detail and care, telling a story. What makes us distinctive is the incorporation of our watercolors into creations, adding art for those choosing to be part of the solution and avoiding contributing to Fast Fashion.

Behind this connection with MuXu’s community is open communication and an educational aspect, reconnecting clients with the creation process, the product, and the maker. We are creating a community of conscious consumers and evolving with them. Our approach involves speaking and sharing at events, participating in markets, maintaining an active online presence through our website, blog, and social media, and collaborating in the community (visiting our website www.muxucreations.com you can have access to all this information).

We are also open to creating a network of like-minded individuals, including makers, artists, environmentalists, etc., to join efforts in transforming the narrative about fashion and promoting a more conscious way of living.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
The three qualities/skills that are, definitely, more impactful for our journey and that indeed they have to work together are:

1. Curiosity and hunger for knowledge: Continuously incorporating new skills and techniques has been pivotal for MuXu. Stay curious, try and practice (that is a clue) new skills, and make adjustments to the ever-evolving environment (business, personal life, the world… everything changes)

2. Risk-Taking: Life is about taking risks aligned with your purpose. I have faced uncomfortable situations, switched careers in my 40s, and started a business. Include discomfort as a push for evolution and confront fears, because risks often lead to the most rewarding experiences. But, read point 3, because risk without a plan probably leads to disaster.

3. Organization and Self-Commitment: Entrepreneurship demands wearing “multiple hats”. At MuXu we implemented a structured schedule dedicated to different facets of the business. Balancing work and life is challenging, especially if you are passionate about what you do. I have learned the importance of prioritizing downtime to prevent burnout the hard way, let’s make things different. So, planning and organizing business and personal life and self-commitment is crucial to prevent procrastination or imbalance in different areas of life. Cultivate self-commitment but don’t forget point 1, make adjustments when necessary.

How would you describe your ideal client?
MuXu clients are conscious consumers navigating the complex panorama of fashion choices. We know that it is not easy when you are seeking products that resonate with your values of sustainability and ethical consumption. MuXu clients are eager to be part of the solution, appreciate transparency, and understand where, how, and by whom the products are made, along with the story behind them. They see clothing not just as garments but as appreciating uniqueness—one-of-a-kind pieces handmade by skilled and creative individuals. We have cultivated a community that appreciates this educational journey about fashion. If you resonate with sustainability and seek a deeper connection with your purchases, you have found your place at MuXu Creations, and we are happy to grow with you.

Contact Info:

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