Home JOURNAL Behind the Label | Prymal

Behind the Label | Prymal

Enter the world of Prymal, where founder Gabriela Viteri Crespo passionately practices the art of handmade, eco-friendly fashion -- her meticulously crafted hats come directly from Ecuador's tropical rainforest. We caught up with this environmentally savvy globetrotter to learn more about the story behind her label.

How does travel inspire your collection?

Our weekly travels to the beach and highlands of Ecuador provide us with plenty of inspiration. We love long beaches with pristine sand, scuba diving or snorkeling surrounded by colorful fish, driving into tropical vegetation, and watching llamas along the mountains. Our artisans and the people we get to know are a source of endless inspiration to working tirelessly in order to keep their traditions alive.

Describe Prymal in 3 words. And then tell us why you chose those words.

Getaway: Prymal is inspired by eternal vacations, in which you can indulge on the little pleasures of life. All of our pieces are made for an exotic getaway at the beach or highlands to make you feel free. Positive: All of our products are made with love and joy, while preserving the environment and communities. Prymal is a guilt-free purchase. Luxury: Every piece is carefully handmade by skilled Ecuadorian artisans in limited quantities. Toquilla Straw Hats (?Panama Hats?) are only made in Ecuador. In a world led by mass production, it is not easy to have a unique handmade product that is made by only a few people in the world.

Your collection of products keeps growing. What creative endeavors are on the horizon?

Prymal is known for its toquilla straw hats, which is our main focus. We will let our other lines become stronger this year with our Felt Hats, Toquilla Straw Bags and Ikat Scarves. All of them are 100% handmade in Ecuador.

Who is your Muse? Describe the woman who wears Prymal.

The Prymal woman is a strong, well-traveled, and secure woman who is confident enough to stand out and wear bold, exotic statement pieces like a neon long brimmed hat. She is also a conscious buyer who makes smart choices when shopping, valuing not only design and quality but also the origin of her clothes and their environmental impact. Our Asian customers inspire us -- they are very fashion forward and have fun with style.

Tell us about your favorite piece (or one of them) and where you were inspired to create it.

It is so hard to pick just one. But I would have to say the Fedora Coral. It was one of our first hats when we launched Prymal, and it remains as a best seller ever since. We wanted to give the traditional toquilla straw hat a modern twist and this was the first color we chose. It?s the perfect tone of pink, not too strong or too dull. And, it looks amazing on every skin tone! It represents our goal to offer fashionable accessories while enduring our local traditions while having a positive impact on the planet.

What are your upcoming summer travel and vacation plans?

I?m going to the Ecuadorian Amazon Rainforest for my first wedding anniversary and to Galapagos Islands on October. It will be my first experience in the Amazonian jungle and my third on Galapagos Islands. Can?t wait!