What led you to focus your themes on childhood and motherhood?

Becoming a mother led me to dedicate my time, my gaze and my energy to the little ones. Motherhood was a great revolution for me, it shook me so much that I took a turn in my professional trajectory and began photographing my own motherhood, I couldn't stop. Afterwards, I began with my friends, their children, then my friends' friends and so on endlessly. It seemed like brutal work to capture every moment, every instant, to freeze the time that doesn't return. We are little only once in life and from there I specialized in motherhood and children, up until today (almost 9 years now).

Was photography always your career? Tell us a bit about your trajectory.

Well no, I haven't always dedicated myself to photography. I studied 4 years of graphic design, finished my studies and worked in some design studios, but although it wasn't bad, I felt that it didn't really make me vibrate, that I was missing the social part. A few years later I began studying to become a teacher and finished my degree in special education. I worked at a school and at one point I was left without a job and pregnant (yes, all at the same time), so I took advantage of my pregnancy to study photography more in depth (I already had some base knowledge and really liked it). I studied for a year until giving birth to my first daughter, who showed me my total vocation: motherhood photography. My first year was taking photos of everything, I was passionate about creating memories, first for myself and over time for more moms.

How has being a mother transformed you?

Being a mother has been and is a journey. It has made me change my view of the world and of myself. For me, being a mother is traveling on a boat with daily lessons. Thanks to motherhood I have discovered my great vocation that has become my profession. I feel grateful to enjoy my work every day. Grateful also to my daughters who are path, mirror and motivation.

Tell us a bit about your daughters. What are the main challenges and joys of having them?

Well, my daughters are my joy every day, they help me be my best version and are a daily learning experience. Although motherhood can sometimes be idealized, in reality mothering is an act of sincere and unconditional love: fatigue, little time for you and your hobbies, a utopian work-life balance, many doubts, guilt and a long etcetera. My daughters often take me out of my comfort zone and shake me hard, but at the same time they are poetry, inspiration, creativity and light. 

How was your experience photographing the Spring/Summer 2024 "Footprints in the Outback" campaign for mugencomputing?

Well the truth is that doing photo shoots with children always delights me, and even more so if it's beautiful, responsible and committed brands that take care of every detail. mugencomputing was one of the first brands to trust in my vision and for me they are home and total confidence, so I was happy to be able to do their Spring/Summer 2024 campaign since it is pure inspiration.

To finish, do you have a Spirit Animal?

Well yes, my spirit animal is the dolphin, I like everything about it and I find it a fascinating animal: for its delicacy, for its intelligence, for everything. Sometimes I feel that I identify a bit with it, since I am fascinated by water, it is my environment. Years ago I started swimming to strengthen my back and it is a place where I feel very me: free and wild, I believe it represents me a lot. Its communicative zeal is also brutal.

Thank you so much Cristina for this lovely interview!

Follow her on Instagram:: @banyadorderatlles

When we look farther into the universe

Far beyond the winter mist
lies a landscape of wonders untold,
where old stories are full of ancient wisdom
and make our inner universe unfold.

The rabbit, shy and fluffy,
hides in the rice fields at night.
However, when called upon, it will boldly leap
to save a life with all its might.

The crane, seemingly frail,
has strength and courage no one can beat.
Once to protect its family,
it wove a beautiful cloth.

The fox is sly and cunning.
It can transform itself in any form it wishes,
both to protect and challenge;
it can teach us our inner potential.

The snow monkey, caring and kind,
although it cannot change shape like the rest,
teaches us when you are with your loved ones,
a rough environment becomes pleasing.

This is a story of transformation,
of life-changing in every moment.
Life is our constant creation
and can be transformed in a blink.

We also have customer support available to assist with any questions or issues that may arise during the ordering process. Overall, we strive to make the experience of placing an order with us as seamless and stress-free as possible.

Brandboom (https://www.brandboom.com):

1. Send us an e-mail to [email protected] requesting a private link to our Linesheet
2. Befores sharing our links we may request additional information to evaluate your wholesale account.
3. Once you receive your links, create an account on the Brandboom website.
4. Browse through the catalogs and select the products they want to order
5. Add the selected items to their cart
6. Review their order and enter any necessary information (such as shipping address)
7. Submit the order and wait for confirmation from us.

Take comfort in knowing that your package will make it around the world safely and quickly.

We have happy customers from the USA, Canada, Japan, China, Austria, France, South Korea, Kuwait and of course Peru.

We offer several types of delivery services worldwide. Our main partners for worldwide shipping are DHL, UPS, DPD, and other major airlines for bulkier orders.

Shipping costs:

We understand that shipping costs can be a significant factor in the purchasing decision, and we want to make it as easy and affordable as possible for our customers to receive their orders.

We are excited to announce that we have formed partnerships with shipping companies to offer our customers exclusive discounts on their orders. These partnerships allow us to provide our valued customers with even more value and savings.

Shipping costs will vary depending on where you are based. Here is a simple explanation on how we handle shipping in Future Orders (please contact us for immediate orders):

• United States accounts:
  The prices are “Landed” at Seattle – WA. We will charge shipping separately the shipping cost from our Seattle warehouse to your delivery address. We use UPS or FedEx Ground shipping services.

• European Union accounts:
  The prices are “Landed” at Bordeaux – France. We will charge shipping separately the shipping cost from our Bordeaux warehouse to your delivery address. We use DPD or DHL shipping services.

• Rest of the world accounts:
  The prices do not include shipping expenses. We will charge shipping separately the shipping cost from Peru to your delivery address. We use DHL or UPS shipping services.

Customs duties (only for Rest of the World accounts):

Customs duties are taxes imposed on goods imported into a country. These taxes are typically based on the value of the goods and the type of product being imported. The purpose of customs duties is primarily to protect local economies.

It's important to note that customs duties vary by country and by the specific product being imported (most of our products HTS code is 6111.20), so it's a good idea to research the specific regulations and fees that may apply. Additionally, it's also important to consider that customs duties and taxes are the responsibility of the customer and not the seller.

The good news is that the following countries will benefit from a Free Trade Agreement, and will not pay customs duties upon the arrival of the mugencomputing package:

Austria, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, European Union and European Economic Area (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden), Iceland, Japan, Liechtenstein, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay and Vietnam.

If you need to pay Customs Duties, consider it as part of the cost of the product, since there is usually no drawback or reimbursement.

Import Taxes (VAT, GST, HST and others):

Import taxes are taxes charged on goods laced on goods being imported. The primary purpose of taxes is revenue generation for the government. When importing to countries that have VAT (GST or HST), this tax forms a portion of the total charges that must be paid on the imported shipment.

However, the VAT paid on the import of goods is considered Input VAT (VAT applied to company purchases of goods by your business) and not as part of the cost of your product.

It is important to note that Input VAT and Output VAT (VAT that your company charges to its customers on sales of goods) cancel each other out in your VAT return. So, your VAT paid to the tax authorities will be the difference between these two.

Import Expenses (Customs Clearance – Customs Brokerage):

A customs broker is a licensed professional who represents importers in their dealings with customs agencies.

In certain countries, all imports above a certain amount (de minims value) require to be processes trough a custom broker, thus, some charges will apply.

If your package is shipped by DHL or UPS, usually they act as Customs Brokers, and charge a fee. If it is shipped as cargo by specific airline, you will need to appoint a Customs Broker.

GOTS-certified cotton is organic, which means that no chemical pesticides have been used in growing the cotton. That means, better for your skin, better for the environment and better for the workers. The organic cotton feels wonderfully soft and lasts for years. A sustainable choice!

The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is a worldwide textile production certification that ensures the quality of organic fibers. GOTS imposes requirements on factories regarding the use of harmful chemicals and the consumption of water and energy. It is known as the world’s strictest textile standard as it assesses all processors, manufacturers and traders for their ecological and labor conditions.

Why Choose Organic Cotton?

Organic cotton growing also uses only organic-approved fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides from plants, animals and minerals, decreasing your likelihood of exposure to unhealthy chemicals, as well as protecting farmers and workers, and their lands within the cotton production system.

Silvio Montanarini, CEO mugencomputing

As a child, I was interested in photography, clothing, animals and video games. As a teenager, all those interests were channelled towards design and creativity, so I decided to study fashion design. But growing up in a conservative environment, I found it impossible to follow that path, so I chose my career within the options my parents considered best for me. I started studying law.

In 2009 I finished law school and started my professional career as a tax and foreign trade lawyer, first at a Big Four and then at a prestigious law firm in Peru. I was not happy in the corporate world, let alone wearing a suit and tie. Despite not feeling satisfied then, I am grateful to have had the opportunity to advise different companies in various industries and to work with talented people because it allowed me to learn plenty about the management of national and international companies. Today I can apply all that knowledge to my company.

I met my partner in 2013 during a trip to Cusco, Peru. She caught my attention because she was the first vegetarian person I had met. In addition, she had a great sensitivity towards animals and the environment, which immediately connected me with her.

In 2014, we decided to start mugencomputing; she was a full-time entrepreneur, and I worked in my spare time. In 2017, I left my career as a lawyer and leapt to a new one to dedicate myself to the brand full-time. Today, I look back and feel grateful for that decision.

Since then, I have come a long way in learning about children's fashion, sustainability, international business and how to persevere when you see your dreams threatened. Today I feel fulfilled working in the fantastic world of mugencomputing, surrounded by creativity, animals, designs, fabrics, excel tables, graphics and my valued customers. 

I am proud to be part of a team of wonderful people with whom I grow daily and keep the same goal: to tell beautiful stories through the best quality clothing, coherent with the environment and with purpose.

Michelle Álvarez, Creative Director

I started my professional career in 2004 after studying architecture and fashion design. During my years of experience, I have been lucky enough to work on many projects that I am passionate about, always linked to creativity and design.

Throughout the different projects I have worked on, I have met different people who have enriched me deeply and forged me as a professional. Some experiences, such as my first clothing brand, Pictograma, have defined me. I have learned to overcome obstacles, be perseverant, and push myself to succeed.

In 2014 I started mugencomputing with my partner and left my fears behind to take the leap into the unknown as an entrepreneur. My enthusiasm for the creative and entrepreneurial spirit has only grown since then.

One of my greatest motivations was to have a project with its own voice where I could bring together all the things I love most: design, fashion, textiles, nature, sustainability and building a company. Being able to create stories inspired by animals and nature has been a great dream, especially when you are creating a product so coherent with your message.

The last ten professional years of my life have been focused on creating creative projects, leading teams, overcoming all possible obstacles of being an entrepreneur and aiming for the growth of mugencomputing without leaving aside the commitment to deliver values to the families that wear our products.

If you respect your dreams, no matter how long it takes, it will make you have a life consistent with your essence.

For the future, my goal is to continue to promote the values that drive mugencomputing, enhancing its purpose: to have a more conscious, kind and safe world for our nature through respect, love and creativity.  

Here is a list of clients who have been trusting on us for a few years:

• Baby Square (British Columbia - Canada)
• Fiddlesticks (Califonia - United States)
• Fluff Alpaca (New York - United States)
• Gron (Pessaro - Italy)
• Hazel Baby (New Jersey - United States)
• Ivy Babies (Kuwait)
• Les Petits Chapelais (New York - USA)
• Les Ptits Mosus (Quebec - Canada)
• Little Monsters (Winsconsin - United States)
• Little Moony (New York - United States)
• Lucky Wang (New York - United States)
• Mapamundi Kids (California - United States)
• Marigold Modern (South Carolina - United States)
• Mini Jake (New York - United States)
• Mini-Square (China)
• Mockingbird (Maine - United States)
• My Little Sunshine (New York - United States)
• Neo Concept Store (Lima - Peru)
• Obebe (Hiroshima - Japan)
• Pip & Pal (Minnesota - United States)
• Pow Wow Kids (Bordeaux - France)
• Rabbit Ladders (California - United States)

Pima Cotton alias "South American silk"

Pima cotton is also called "South American silk" because it is very fine and its fibres are silky. Pima cotton is a particular type of cotton, it is distinguished from others by its length and the resistance of its fibres. It is softer than other cottons and yet perfectly resistant. It is precisely this softness that makes all the difference when it comes to clothing worn on the babies’ skin.

Pima cotton is a rare variety that represents only 3% of the world's cotton production.

Nowadays, the cotton name Pima is used in honor of the Pima Indians, who were the first to grow this type of cotton in the United States. But the origins of this noble plant are indeed in South America. In Peru, Pima cotton is grown in the coastal valleys of Piura and Chira as it was in ancient times. The climate and fertile soil, seasonal rainfall and long sunny days are ideal conditions for cotton cultivation.

The production of Pima cotton is environmentally friendly

In Peru, the climatic conditions are optimal for Pima cotton, it is not necessary to redraw the map of rivers to irrigate fields.

For thousands of years, Pima cotton has been harvested by hand in the coastal valleys of northern Peru. This natural harvesting process by human hands is environmentally friendly and guarantees the highest quality yarn. This harvesting technique distinguishes it from all other cotton harvested mechanically and industrially. Manual harvesting avoids all impurities and imperfections of a machine harvest.

A resistance to any test

Exceptionally resistant and able to withstand the test of time, Pima cotton was woven by the Incas thousands of years ago. The magnificent sacred blankets that were made at that time are still in existence today, which proves that this cotton is very resistant. In other words, if you buy a Pima cotton garment, you will keep it for a while.

Pima cotton has extremely long fibres. They are often twice as long as those of standard cotton. It should be noted that longer fibres can be braided more, resulting in a stronger and finer yarn. In addition, the fabric remains very resistant, even in cases of high heat and friction. Thanks to Pima cotton, your clothes keep a perfect fit even after several washes.

The benefits are many

• A noble material: Pima cotton is a noble and rare material. It is still nicknamed "The Silk of South America", for its softness and very silky appearance.
• Fine and silky: Pima cotton forms a very fine, silky and un-deformable mesh. It is one of the finest cottons in the world. When woven, Pima cotton brings incredible softness and flexibility to clothing. A real pleasure to wear on a daily basis.
• Flexible and resistant: it’s very long fibre makes it more resistant than cotton grown in North America and, above all, gives it great flexibility. As it is non-deformable, it has a very good fit on the body.
• Ecological: no fertilizers or chemicals are used to grow it because its flower cannot tolerate pesticides, making it a very healthy and organic material par excellence.
• Pure and anti-allergic: As it does not tolerate any chemical treatment, Pima cotton is necessarily natural and harvested without treatment. Therefore, non-allergenic for sensitive skin.
• Absorbent and insulating: cotton fibre can absorb up to 8.5% of its weight in water, which allows your skin to breathe well and naturally!
• Regulation: Pima cotton retains the heat of the body well, while regulating it. It retains the warmed air in contact with the body and keeps warm, while absorbing excess moisture (or perspiration, even if we never sweat) for optimal comfort.

The founders

About Pima Cotton

About GOTS certified cotton

Worldwide shipping

How to place a wholesale order

Clients who trust us

A story that reminds us we can find extraordinary experiences in the ordinary.

There is a little place beside my house,
very small place where I can lay under the sun and stretch on the lawn.
Where I can crawl under the long weeds and look beneath the garden pots.
Where I can play hide and seek with my tiny Little Friends.

It is here that I find my peace,
in this simple living,
in my very own little garden.
It is here where I can just sit, and just be me in my wonderland.

My friends are tiny little fellows that live underneath all the weeds.
I like to spy on the little worms that stretch to reach their next stop
and I can play with snails and make them crawl a snail race to the finish line.

I can look for little round woodlice, and make them roll,
Or I can mix the flowers, leaves and petals into sweets scents
which later I will put underneath my pillow, to keep dreaming, my garden dream.

Because it is in the ordinary, in the weeds outside my home, that I can find happy times
And it is here, in this weed forest, with my brave little tiny Friends, where I like to be.

For this big big world of ours, it is a bigger world for them,
And yet they do their gigantic chores to keep it spinning.

The story behind the healing forest

One day the bears woke up knowing something had to be done.

They heard a thumping sound and then silence invaded the forest.
They stood in front of a fallen giant that still had its roots on the ground.
They gathered all the other animals with a plan to heal the broken tree.
They picked up leaves and placed them on the trunk base, and put the fallen trunk back in place.

All the animals stood still, holding the tree,
with their eyes shut and their hands on the birch.
They knew nature could heal their friend and the leaves would glue the tree back together.
No matter how much time passed, one day the giant would be fine again.

From that day all the animals in the forest
pledged an alliance to the world.
They changed their routines and habits
to recover the balance of the forest.

Maybe it’s time for us to change as well.

Dedicated to all our leafy friends and furry mates
keeping our planet alive.

A story about rhythms and balance in the heart of the Oceans

Oceans,
in your depths we find the answers.
It’s in your rhythm that we must sway
because all the animals that live inside you
have already learned
that in the pendular movement of your waters
lies their true nature.

They listen to the heart inside you
and follow its beating rhythm,
and the currents that are part of you
lead the way to every little or giant animal you hold.

Whales travel in straight lines,
and in the route trace their own paths,
Manta Rays join in a massive migration,
a new cycle of life in the immensity of your waters,
and the Fish in the depth of the ocean
are a reflection of the stars that shine above you;
hence revealing that your silent depths
and the universe are one.
One beat.

It is now our time,
to find our rhythm,
our inner compass,
our inner habitat,
in our hearts,
and in the world we live in.

*Cousteau, we hear you*

When did you start your business?

I opened my first brick and mortar Pink Olive in the heart of Manhattan's East Village in 2007. Since its opening, Pink Olive has grown to include three other retail locations including stores in Brooklyn's Park Slope as well as Manhattan's West Village neighborhood. Our newest store location is in upstate New York in the charming town of Cold Spring.

What inspired you to start with Pink Olive?

I opened Pink Olive because I’ve always loved the idea of giving (and getting!) thoughtful gifts. There is something magical that happens when you live your life in a place of appreciation and gratitude. Gift-giving becomes a gift in and of itself. I also became an auntie for the first time and wanted to create a safe place where people feel inspired to 'love, gift, and smile.' Sometimes it can be overwhelming to find the perfect gift for your niece or nephew, especially if you don't have kids of your own. I wanted to make the gifting experience fun, easy, and attainable for little ones to loved ones. Anyone can become a good gifter! :)

Where 'Pink Olive' name comes from?

The store name was inspired by my niece Katie, who adores pink, while I'm a big fan of olives. It’s quirky, it’s fun and that’s what the shop is all about – mixing and matching the unexpected. Love.gift.smile

What do you like most about running your business?

My favorite part of being my own boss is being able to make a difference and inspire people, even in the smallest of ways. As customers often share with us, Pink Olive is their "happy place."  I also love to share my journey on Instagram and give people a glimpse into my world. I also love discovering new talent and coming up with creative ideas to grow the business together. When they do well, we do well. 

Where Pink Olive can be found? 

You can find Pink Olive at:

- East Village: 439 E 9th St. East Village, New York 10009

- West Village: 30 Charles St. (Between 7th Ave S and Waverly Pl), West Village, New York 10014

- Park Slope: 167 Fifth Ave (Between Lincoln and Berkeley Place), Park Slope, Brooklyn 11217 

- Cold Spring: 80 Main Street, Cold Spring, New York 10516

How are you taking care of your customers at this time?

This is a strange and unprecedented time for all of us. In a time of pause has allowed everyone to slow down and appreciate the little things. Writing cards to loved ones. Sending care packages to loved ones. Celebrating little things on special occasions. We have been able to personally put together gift packages for our customers and bring little joy to their homes with our expanded candle collection. 

Would you like to share an uplifting or even funny story about your business?

Back in 2014,  we were written up on CBS.com as one of the best candle shops in NYC. We never thought of ourselves as a candle shop, so we were delightfully surprised and honored by the recognition.  Unfortunately, we were experiencing a lot of shipping issues with two of our suppliers from Canada and France at the time and we literally had two candles on our store shelves. lol. We had to act quickly. We started formulating what our candle collection would look like, smell like, and launched it within the year. We have sold tens of thousands of candles over the last five years and continues to be a top-selling category. You never know when your next big idea can come from! ;)

A story about respect beyond differences

The Amazon rainforest,
huge mass of green bounty,
lives inside all of us,
the roots of the giant trees,
hold the biodiversity of our world.

All is connected here,
plants and animals,
the ones who can save us,
our history and future,
the true cycle of life,
should be preserved,
their guardians' we are.

An old hidden mystery

Up the mountain we go
to the top, to the highest peak

A wildlife story

We are happy to present our SS18 collection 'SAFARI STAMPEDE' a wildlife story. 

Our new story is inspired by wildlife and it takes place in Africa.
It honours all the animals we love and care about.

It’s a story of protest against anyone who harms our animals, damages our nature or destroys our world.
The same world that we share with many living creatures with feelings and rights.

Rhinos, huge elephants, big cats and exotic pangolins are our main characters in this story.

Earth colors, neutral grays alongside a bright yellow are our colors for this season. Simple and comfy little garments from medium and light weight to woven fabric all made of soft and silky pima cotton, complete our message of being against poaching and in favor of animals and nature.

Take a first look and discover more of our story following this link.

A story about love and goodbyes

 We started this story some time ago and we can finally share it with all of you.

This story is inspired by Climate Change and was very hard to process. We had to go through many sad facts about what is happening to our planet. But we have managed to work out this collection with lots of hugs and love.

Extreme weather, melting glaciers and rising sea level are impacting the natural environments where these magical creatures live. Global warming is a fact and we need to work together for a better planet.

We can fix this!