Knowing who we are begins with recognizing where we come from. At Claudia Akel, we believe in the strength of origin, in the value of the stories that weave us, and in the mark we choose to leave. This page brings together past, present, and future: the history of the brand, the vision of our designer, and the social impact that gives meaning to what we do.
Claudia Akel is a Colombian brand that transforms traditional mochilas into unique design pieces. We work in co-creation with Indigenous communities, honoring their ancestral techniques and bringing each piece to life through hand-applied interventions: embroidery, hand painting, natural leather, and solid bronze hardware.
Each mochila tells a story. It is woven by artisans who safeguard their cultural heritage and later refined by our team, under the creative direction of the designer, to become a wearable jewel.
More than accessories, we create pieces with soul. We are guided by respect for craftsmanship, fair trade, and conscious production, without intermediaries. We design with purpose for those who seek to carry more than fashion: identity, origin, and authenticity.
Claudia Akel is a Colombian designer with over two decades of experience in fashion and jewelry. Her training began in the 1990s, and since then she has explored the value of detail, handcraft, and cultural expression through design.
In 2014, she founded her brand with a clear vision: to create pieces that connect tradition with the contemporary, without altering the essence of the ancestral. Since then, she has worked closely with Indigenous communities, respecting their times and techniques, transforming each mochila into a work of art to carry with you.
Her proposal has received international recognition. In 2018, she was named Best Emerging Designer at HOMI Milano and has participated in design events in cities such as Paris, New York, and Milan.
Today, her brand continues to grow and travel the world, carrying with it a story woven with respect, purpose, and beauty.
Claudia Akel was founded in 2014 with a vision: to transform Indigenous art into contemporary design pieces without altering its essence.
Starting in 2016, the brand began making its way through national fairs such as Farex and soon after expanded internationally, with presence at Trade Expo Miami, Milan Design Week, and Milan Fashion Week. In 2018, it was recognized as Best Accessories Designer at HOMI Xperimenta in Milan, and its pieces reached New York through Tulip by Lisa Jackson.
In 2019, the first official store opened in Cartagena’s Historic Center, strengthening its international projection with the Latin Affair pop-up in Gstaad and expansion into the Asian market, where the brand remains active. In 2023, new international showcases opened with pop-ups in New York and Paris, reaffirming the brand’s connection to global design.
Today, in 2026, the brand has seven physical points of sale in Colombia and a consolidated international presence. A journey that continues to grow, weaving together tradition, design, and purpose.
At Claudia Akel, we practice fair and respectful trade. We purchase directly from Indigenous communities, without intermediaries, and pay the price they consider fair. We never negotiate down, never impose. We only acquire what they have already created, in their own time and under their knowledge. In this way, we preserve the cultural value of each piece from its origin.
More than 35 single mothers are an essential part of our team. They are the ones who intervene the mochilas with embroidery, hand painting, and handcrafted finishes, contributing detail, dedication, and beauty. Their work not only enhances each piece, but also strengthens households and creates real opportunities.
We choose noble materials that care for the environment and elevate the experience: natural fibers, ecological pigments, genuine leather. Each element is selected with intention, always seeking harmony between aesthetics, durability, and environmental responsibility.
We believe in fashion without haste, without accumulation, without waste. We work with limited series and controlled production, ensuring that each piece has a clear purpose. We avoid overproduction because what is created with meaning is valued more.
