Our Story
Since her childhood in Peru, Carla Testino has been surrounded by an awareness of aesthetics and art, which she has cultivated thanks to her close relationship with her mother and her brother, fashion photographer Mario Testino. She worked for the US Embassy and the World Bank for several years, but her passion for the arts never ceased to be present, so much so that she created her first fine jewelry atelier in 2006.
This experience allowed her to explore her creativity to the fullest, working with different Peruvian artisans. All this synergy quickly led to success and the exportation of her pieces to Europe and the United States.
In 2015, she started a local brand of fashion bags - Sideral - for women who value the know-how behind indigenous crafts. The brand originated through the symbiosis between the designer and Amazonian communities such as the Shipibo-Conibo, as well as others in the Andean Region.
As part of her journey, Carla Testino was interested in giving back to women living in vulnerable conditions in Peru. She worked closely with women in jails and other underprivileged groups where she recognized the vital role that training and empowerment can play in improving their lives.
Over the following 6 years, Carla reaffirmed her aesthetic vision, which can be described as a mixture of organic and architectural elements. She continued her exploration and experimentation in the world of premium accessories with a new namesake brand: Carla Testino Peruvian Handmade.
Our Purpose
We believe in women empowerment through training and education. We believe in the value of women and in generating equal opportunities. Our commitment is to improve the quality of life of women and their families in Peru.
Our Philosophy
Ethical Brand
We believe in creating fair and honest job opportunities for our partners. Our bags are designed in Peru and are manufactured by skilled craftsmen in Spain with certified leather and suede of the highest quality. Each one of our pieces requires special attention to detail and a high level of technical knowledge. We want to create unique luxury pieces that could remain timeless.
At the heart of our product is a commitment to sustainability and social responsibility. Our straps are hand-crafted in Peru using organic cotton. Our production process is designed to empower and support women in vulnerable conditions, many of whom are housewives. Through our skilled artisan's thorough training, these women are able to create luxurious accessories that meet our high standards. By providing fair wages for their work, we aim to improve their economic situation and overall quality of life. We are proud to align with the United Nations SDG 8 on decent work and economic growth, and we believe that empowering these women through training and employment is a step towards achieving this goal.
Sustainability
Our alpaca suppliers are certified in the use of cruelty-free alpaca. In addition, we use organic Tangüis cotton in our straps. As a company, we are constantly looking for environmentally friendly materials of the highest quality.
The philosophy behind Carla Testino Peruvian Handmade is built on these values.