Exploring Life & Business with Emely Guevara of ERAMIA

Today we’d like to introduce you to Emely Guevara.

Hi Emely, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Hi, my name is Emely, I’m the owner and founder of ERAMIA women’s clothing brand and we’ve been around since 2021. We’re an online based retailer, we distribute out of downtown LA and we also participate in pop-up events in and around the surrounding LA area. I was originally inspired to start what I considered a more “sustainable” clothing brand where the main purpose was to offer clothing that was either biodegradable or recyclable. I’d been learning about the waste problem we have (which is really brought on by bad habits of overconsumption) but I felt that if we, as consumers, could become better aware of and choose products which are made with end-of-cycle in mind, we could help at least to lessen the stress we as humans add to our planet and our limited resources.

The main issue is that most clothing is made out of synthetic materials or a blend of synthetic and natural fabrics. Synthetic fabrics being polyester, nylon, acrylic, viscose, etc and natural fabrics being cotton, linen, hemp, silk, leather or wool. Once these materials are blended together there is no technology that exists today that could recycle that fabric blend to where it can get “broken down” so we make all these clothes that will outlive all of us but also–because of the synthetic properties– provide bad quality over time. Aside from the material there is no legal regulation on the chemicals that are used to dye our clothing so that was pretty scary to me as well and I felt inspired to really bring an awareness about these things that I don’t think most people, including myself, would really think about.

The stage we’re in now is we’ve shifted the focus from just “sustainable” to include more of the “wellness” aspect of our clothing. We currently only carry 100% natural fabrics with the exception of silk, wool, or leathers (since we are a vegan brand and chose to not participate in any animal exploitation.) We’ve continued to grow and are super grateful for the reception the brand has received especially within so many local communities in the city. People are awesome and so many people really care so it’s been inspiring to connect and continue to have these conversations about the materials that wrap our skin and the effect it has on us and our health. We’ve received a lot of demand in the categories of athletic wear and intimate wear so we’re currently in the designing process for those new items. Manufacturing is definitely a different ball game but I’ve learned a lot and really excited to launch those new categories in the Spring 2027.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It’s been smooth at times but definitely bumpy at others. I’ve owned a couple other businesses so I think since it’s my 3rd time around I’m definitely more prepared for the challenges small business owners face but each product/industry is it’s own beast, honestly. I’ve had to learn (the hard way) on the proper margins needed for this type of product as well as understanding that clothing is not just about the materials but also the aesthetic. Learning to help fuze the educational aspect with the fashion/art side of clothing has made me have to think outside the box on how to paint the brand image I’m trying to create. Other challenges I’ve faced for example are dealing with unreliable vendors(materials), increase in operational costs that might come out of nowhere or deciding on the best channels to use for marketing. It can be stressful but as long as we’re moving forward it stays being fun.

We’ve been impressed with ERAMIA, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
We’re a women’s clothing brand and we carry clothing made from 100% organic cotton, cotton, hemp and linen. A little over 60% of clothing being made today is made from plastics–(aka fossil fuels) like polyester, nylon, acrylic, etc –which are terrible for the environment and even worse for our health. There have been studies that show there’s a relationship between the materials we place on our skin and our overall well being since our skin is the largest organ in the body and anything you apply or place on it topically will inevitably end up in our bloodstream. If we’re walking around wrapped in plastic materials coupled with chemical dyes all day, all this is slowly being absorbed by the body.

I’m really proud to be able to offer all 100% natural plant derived materials with either no or very low chemical dyes. I love being able to provide additional options for people that really prioritize their health and care to keep sustainability in mind when shopping. We’re excited to share our athletic wear and intimatewear lines next year 2027 so I encourage people to keep an eye out for that and follow us on our socials since there’s definitely a limited selection in the market currently.

Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
Yes, credit goes to my family (my sisters and parents). They helped with launching and still help with certain operational processes. I’m a single parent so my I’m super grateful to have my parents and extended family nearby for support. I’ve also learned a tremendous amount from other small-business owners I’ve met along the way like from young artists to mom entrepreneurs and creatives. I love Jess the founder of Vegan Street Fair, she’s so bold and makes things look easy at times and has inspired me to push myself and put myself out there moreukjjjo. I’ve also had a lot of support from Fred who owns IAMHAPPY in lA, he’s so young but such a hustler and has done all of the prints for the brand. We’ve also had such great support from the vegan community, the wellness community and have just so many people that advocate for the brand. It’s all gotten nicely combined to give us more exposure and I”m super grateful for all the love and support.

Pricing:

• $20 – $100 USD

Contact Info:

• Website: https://eramia.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eramia.losangeles