Anciela is a London-based conscious womenswear label that celebrates South American folklore and experimental tailoring.
Founded by Colombian and Chilean Designer Jennifer Droguett Espinosa in 2019, as a homage to her South American heritage. After living outside of Colombia for two decades, Jennifer’s gone back to her roots. Her label Anciela gets its name from her grandparents, ANgel and GraCIELA.
Jennifer grew up in the vibrant city of Medellin surrounded by beautiful nature, culture and joyful people. However, in the 2000s after the city of Medellin had become extremely dangerous, her family took the hard but inevitable decision to move to Chile, where Jennifer’s dad is from. Jennifer graduated from AMFI in Amsterdam and has been working in London and Amsterdam as a Fashion Designer and Pattern cutter for over 7 years for brands including Viktor & Rolf, House of Holland, Sadie Williams, Richard Malone and Artschool.
ANCIELA is the culmination of the Latin folklore, craft and rich experiences of a childhood combined with an outsider’s perspective gained from leaving the homeland and living in London. The brand designs with sustainability in mind from the very beginning of the process, “we produce everything in London, reducing the environmental impact, ensuring good labour standards and delivering beautifully hand-crafted designs that are friendly to our planet; our commitment is to keep developing and applying sustainable practices such as recycled custom textiles, low impact natural fibres, use of deadstock and natural trims”
Taking inspiration from art, literature and historical costumes. The brand offers re-worked tailoring and eccentric Ready-To-Wear interwoven with a hint of the magical.
Anciela has become a platform for inclusivity that combines Latin American and British communities by telling stories that navigate a unique identity in Fashion. We bring new narratives and create awareness of our cultural heritage. As well as supporting causes that go in line with our brand values.
The brand has been featured in Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, L’officiel, Forbes, Metal, Kaltblut among other independent publications. Recently participated as a panellist in Billie Eilish’s Overheated event. .
El Viaje (2022)
An exhibition commissioned by the Colombian Embassy in London
