HELLO & PURA VIDA
I'M LULA, FOUNDER AND CREATIVE DIRECTOR AT GUAYABERI. JUST WANTED TO SHARE A LITTLE BIT OF GUAYABERI'S STORY WITH YOU.
I founded GUAYABERI in 2011 with the desire to embrace three things: a passion for design, a love affair with Costa Rica’s tropical nature and a motivation to better life conditions for women in my community.
Each swimsuit is carefully handmade in a woman owned small workshop, most of these women are providing their families with the primary source of income. We believe in fair wages and flexible schedules; because work and familiy life are both important.
We use quality materials so your GUAYABERI will last many summers, and reduce waste to the bare minimum to lessen our impact on the environment. We are making an effort to work with RECYCLED fabrics, coming from a combination of discarded fishermen’s nets with post-consumer plastic, or used PET bottles.
In a nutshell; we believe in making beautiful swimwear in a more conscious way.
OUR CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Free-spirited, beach-lover Maria is the creative director behind GUAYABERI. Born in Costa Rica, Central America, land of countless beaches and amazing tropical diversity, she carries all that richness of color and textures in her heart and in her designs.
Maria graduated from Parsons School of Design, in New York, worked for MNG MANGO in Barcelona and has a Masters degree from London College of Fashion in England. BUT, she couldn’t stay too far from her land and all that inspires her, and so in 2010 she started GUAYABERI, proudly designed and made in Costa Rica.
Maria's collections are always infused with vibrant colors, print mixes and textures, sexy cuts and a comfortable fit. You'll often find her at Guayaberi's flagship store in Escazu, where she can help you personalize any of her designs.
Follow her on instagram @malou_castro