Sustainability

We approach sourcing like a chef foraging for local ingredients, thoughtfully and close to home. Our fabrics and trims are primarily sourced within the UK and Europe to reduce transport emissions and lower our carbon footprint.

80% of our materials come from deadstock warehouses or donated vintage fabrics, including wool, silk, and cotton.

A further 10% comprises certified sustainable fibres such as Tencel, Irish hemp, linen, and GOTS organic cotton. We collaborate with Studio Kuhu, a London-based natural dyer originally from Mexico, who uses regenerative methods and ancient dyeing traditions that embody cultural narratives, identity, and connection to land and heritage.

The remaining 10% includes experimental recycled jacquards developed in partnership with London textile designer Alice Timmis, using recycled cotton and British wool from Iinouiio, the UK’s only pre-consumer wool recycler.

While we previously usedNewLife recycled yarns derived from post-consumer plastic waste, we have since discontinued this line as part of our commitment to eliminating plastic from our garments.

Our trims are carefully chosen and include reclaimed leather, vintage zips and hardware, wooden beads, and corozo and coconut buttons.

We take a holistic approach to design, considering circularity from the very first idea. Every product is created with an awareness of its short- and long-term impact across the entire supply chain. As a slow fashion brand, we prioritise longevity, adaptability, and minimising waste through reuse and thoughtful production. Favouring quality over quantity, we offer made-to-order pieces to eliminate overproduction.

Our ethos is “Functional and fun.” Each piece tells a story, not just of inspiration, but of the materials and the people behind it. We design adaptable garments using high-quality fabrics to extend wear and lifespan. Our process embraces experimentation, developing exclusive patterns and tailored silhouettes that are versatile, contemporary, and solve issues of fit, comfort, and style.

In nature, nothing is wasted, every output becomes an input for something else. We aim to follow this principle in our collections and daily studio practices, constantly exploring how to design waste out of the process and embrace creative, circular solutions.
We use minimal and zero-waste pattern cutting techniques, and repurpose all fabric offcuts for future projects or small accessories such as headbands, pins, and bags. Additional scraps are used in our seasonal workshops or donated to non-profit organisations for craft initiatives.
Organic textile waste, along with packaging paper and cardboard, is composted in our studio wormery.

Our set designs for shows and campaigns are made from reclaimed or waste materials no longer suitable for garments—giving them new life and continuing their stories.
We also offer a take-back scheme for all our garments, alongside a Re-fresh and Repair service to ensure garments are worn, loved, and never discarded. 

Anciela is a brand rooted in inclusivity, visibility, and creativity, shaped by six years of introspection, collaboration, and artistic exploration. We celebrate community, tradition, music, and design, while thoughtfully addressing themes such as immigration, identity, and our shared responsibility to the environment.
We value meaningful relationships with both customers and suppliers, ensuring fair pay and expressing deep gratitude for the opportunity to create and share our work.
Over time, Anciela has grown into a platform for inclusivity, connecting Latin American and British communities through storytelling that explores hybrid identities in fashion. We honour the diaspora and celebrate our cultural heritage, championing Latinx creatives and makers.
Our casting, seamstresses, and crew represent a wide range of backgrounds, ages, and body types. We also collaborate with Latinx-led charities and non-profits, including FLAWA, Children Change Colombia, and FEWP, to support broader cultural and social impact.

We believe in the power of education and in creating inclusive spaces for connection and community. We regularly host free sustainable events, both during and outside London Fashion Week, including panel talks, workshops, live music and showcases that blend experimental tech like AR with artisanal practices, encouraging conscious consumption.

In March 2025, Anciela celebrated the launch of the British Fashion Council’s report “Moving the Needle: Low Carbon Transition Programme for SMEs” at the House of Lords, hosted by John Gummer, Rt Hon The Lord Deben.
As one of 50 London-based SMEs selected for the initiative, Anciela measured its carbon emissions in collaboration with Seedling and explored circular strategies and material innovations with QSA Partners and Think Circular to help shape a decarbonisation roadmap through to 2030.
Participating in the programme provided an invaluable opportunity to learn alongside industry peers, sharing insights while navigating a challenging economic landscape and working collectively towards a more sustainable future.
The initiative not only supported Anciela in setting ambitious impact-reduction targets, but also inspired a broader reflection on business strategy—identifying new opportunities while continuing to engage with culture, people, and community at the heart of the brand.