Sensi Studio woman

Although it is named after another country, the Panama hat is made in... Ecuador. Symbol of this state hanging on the west coast of South America, the headgear finds the palme leaf which, once dried and woven, gives it its iconic appearance. It is precisely this “toquilla straw” that Sensi Studio has also been offering in the form of bags and totes since 2010. Founded by Stephany Hollihan of Sensi, the label was born in Guayaquil, a port city. After studying fashion design and obtaining a Master's degree in brand management at the prestigious Istituto Marangoni in Milan in 2006, the future designer made her debut alongside Tomas Maier, whom elle helped with his eponymous brand until in 2010. Back in Ecuador, elle founded her own label to offer sunny basics. Starting with hats, elle gradually extended her skills to other accessories before launching a ready-to- porter line in 2014.
Handmade, Sensi Studios accessories are created by women in the Andes region, using ancestral techniques. Working hand in hand with local artisans and paying them a fair wage, the brand aims to perpetuate know-how while creating jobs locally. Cleaned, the straw is colored before being left to dry in the sun. Elle is then collected by the artisans who weave it according to the desired patterns. These are then sent to the brand's factory to be finalized. The ready-to- porter pieces are also hand embroidered by local artisans. Combining tradition and modernity, Sensi Studio pieces are all made entirely in Ecuador. And Stephany Hollihan from Sensi does not intend to stop there since elle is currently working on a collection of swimsuits which would also be produced locally. Enough to brighten up quite a few more summers.