Maria Ignacia Schwalb, or mostly known through her unique nickname, “Nacha”, opened the doors of her beautiful home to chat about her self-care routine, how she spends her days and her approach towards a conscious and sustainable way of living.
Describe how you spend your time (what do you "do”?)
Whenever I´m not working, I usually spend time with my pets, friends, and my mom. Also, I enjoy reading and listening to my favorite playlists. Staying active doing things I love is a pleasure. With time, I´ve learned to say no to all that doesn´t nourishes me. I´m also a Siclo instructor.
Tell us about your journey into the world of sustainable fashion.
My journey into fashion, which later turned into sustainable fashion begun in very different stages of my life. When I was little, I began showing my interest towards fashion. I chose my outfits, what I would wear for every occasion and what I wanted to buy. At that time, I was living in the Chilean Patagonia, so I had no references, it was just me and my creativity. Later, I moved to Europe to pursue my master’s degree and it was then when I started to learn the heart-breaking reality behind fast fashion. Four years later, when I moved back to Peru, I started working in the textile industry and moved towards creating a better industry for the planet.
What is the first thing you do in the morning?
I´m not sure if it´s the right thing to do but... I always drink coffee first and then take a glass of water.
What do you like the most about what you do?
To create! I love to design new things, find inspirations and be creative. Also, I love that my job allows me to work from home. I really enjoy spending time at my place.
What is your philosophy of life?
“No one knows, fewer understand”. This phrase speaks about my path towards what I believe, and think is important. I have learned to have low expectations and just focus on my one goal. I look forward to whoever wants to join me through this journey.
Tell us 3 spaces where you disconnect from the world and connect with yourself.
My 3 favorite places are my bed, my red chair, and my shower.
What is your favorite self-care routine?
That would be to wear a face mask every now and then, shower, put a hair mask, and do my skin care routine.
What do you expect from sustainable fashion brands?
What I expect from sustainable brands is fair and ethical trade to workers, controlled production and inventory and transparency in their communication and plans.
What is your bed-time routine?
To be honest, it can vary a lot but is always a must is a good book. My parents have always read for me for as long as I can remember, and I carry that with me until today. Besides that, my routine is quite simple: I put my phone down, grab a book, and snuggle with my pets in my bed until we fall asleep (Alba, my kitten and Sol, my dog) almost immediately. We really don´t have a hard time falling asleep. They are both rescued and so they are very affectionate and grateful.
What is your best advice for a good sleep?
My best advice for sleeping is to put down your phone or electronic devices at least half an hour before you go to sleep. It really helps you disconnect.
How do you relax after a long day?
I love sitting down with a friend, enjoy a glass of wine, wearing something very comfortable, at my house or at theirs. If it has been a long day, I don't like to go out to a bar or restaurant. I rather relax and enjoy a good conversation and something delicious.
Also, taking care of my plants is very relaxing. They are bright up my house and bring good energy, not only for aesthetics but also for the commitment and care they require. I have learned to take care of them and to understand what they need. I see how they get better and healthier. I’ll never stop bringing more plants into my space, it's like my guilty pleasure.
