Peru Sets Out to Make a Name in Sustainable Denim
In Peru, denim is getting cleaner.
At least where Nuevo Mundo has something to do with it. The Peruvian fabric mill is starting from innovations at the fiber level to create fabrics that do more for the consumer and less to the environment.
Carved in Blue spoke with Nuevo Mundo’s Design Director, Ayellein Alayo, to gain a little insight into what’s happening with the indigo stuff in the South American market.
Carved in Blue: What’s the latest at Nuevo Mundo?
Ayellein: We are currently working on innovating fabrics through differentiated fibers. Our goal is to provide benefits to both the clothing manufacturer and the final consumer, in the same way we have been pushing the issue of sustainability with our TENCEL™ Lyocell articles.
Ayellein: Their widths are differentiated—we have stretch fabrics in width 170 cm—the production route is socially sustainable and, above all, we have a wide range of differentiated items from constructions, filaments and finishes that cover the needs of the current market. 
Carved in Blue: What innovations are you focused on?
Ayellein: We have thought this year to work on an ecological line. For this we are partnering with certified chemical suppliers and sustainable partners. In the theme of stretch denim we are working with new machinery that allows us to deliver high elongation fabrics with minimum residual shrinkage.
Carved in Blue: How does sustainability factor into what you’re doing?
Ayellein: We are working to cover all the factors of sustainability in the denim production chain. In the business social part we are 100 percent sustainable. We are working on having an indigo that meets the sustainable standards that are currently required. Our cotton is certified by Cotton US and Cotton Leads.
Carved in Blue: What’s next for Nuevo Mundo in the coming year?
Ayellein: Continue to grow in innovation, technology, sustainability and education. We know how complicated it is for Latin America to instill the culture of sustainability, but as I have been repeating throughout my seminars “sustainability is not a passing fashion, it is a pillar within production.” Our goal is to sow these new concepts and keep innovating.
Carved in Blue: What does Carved in Blue mean to you?
Ayellein: I believe that currently we must “educate” in all the factors, we are in a market in which the consumer indirectly knows what he wants but not how to ask for it. This is where platforms such as Carved in Blue are the strategic ally to reach various market players and helps to communicate the developments.