In a world where fast fashion threatens to bury us in waste, a bright light emerges from Bogotá that redefines the future of fashion and sustainability. We present Trama, a visionary venture that not only recovers what others discard, but transforms it into art, utility, and above all, a powerful message of hope.
Led by its founders, Alejandra Arenas and Juliana González, Clean Energy delved into the fascinating universe of Trama, Tramadas or Me Trama, where every knot tells a story of positive impact.
We’re sharing the interview, conducted by our director Juan Daniel Correa, on Clean Energy official channel:
A metamorphosis…
Trama’s journey is as organic as its own products. What began as a clever idea for handcrafted creations—those relaxing hammocks made from textile waste—has evolved into a true “textile recycling workshop,” as Alejandra describes with a contagious smile.
“Today we make all kinds of textiles—wall hangings, rugs, hammocks, cushions, everything,” she emphasizes. In other words, if people were once hesitant about recycled products, now they can decorate their homes with them!
Waste with a purpose
The magic of Trama lies in its raw materials. “The fabrics we use for all of Trama’s projects are leftover materials from Colombian fashion industry productions,” Juliana reveals, exposing the green heart of the project.
From scraps of major Colombian brands like Baobab, Onda de Mar, and Saudade de Você, Trama rescues that “waste” which would otherwise be burned or sent to landfills.
Here is where craftsmanship becomes alchemy: “We recover the fabric, cut it by hand, knot it, and extract new threads to weave everything we make,” explains Juliana. A process that not only honors manual labor, but reinvents the life cycle of fabric.
Fashion: A thread in need of repair
It’s no secret that the fashion industry holds the dubious title of the second most polluting industry on the planet. Trama not only acknowledges this reality but actively strives to be part of the solution. While they do not yet work with post-consumer waste (clothing people no longer wear), their impact on pre-consumer waste (factory leftovers) is remarkable.
“Trama’s entire business model is based on sustainability—it’s the strategic compass of our project,” Alejandra emphasizes. For these best friends, sustainability isn’t an added bonus—it’s their company’s DNA, a pillar that drives them to innovate and inspire others.
Weaving social impact
Trama’s purpose goes beyond textile transformation. It’s a project with deep social commitment. “Today we work with artisan weavers in Bogotá,” says Juliana, highlighting how they generate opportunities.
“Our idea is to teach more and more people how to do what Trama does,” Juliana explains. “Our fabrics are full of knots; they have to cut, knot… These are new crafts we’re bringing in. It’s like a new kind of craftsmanship: neo-artesanía. ”So, Trama not only creates marketable products—they’re also strengthening knowledge and empowering communities.
The myth of quality: breaking preconceptions
One of Trama’s major challenges is breaking the mistaken belief that recycled means lower quality. “What we want to do is offer the best quality so people on the other side of Trama understand that waste can be transformed into something high-quality. Just because it’s recycled doesn’t mean it’s bad or inferior,” Alejandra asserts with powerful conviction.
Is there a business in sustainability? Trama says: a resounding YES
A key question in sustainable entrepreneurship is: can it really be profitable? “Yes, working with textile waste is a business,” says Alejandra confidently, although she admits it “has its challenges.”
For Juliana, part of the mission is helping consumers understand the intrinsic value of each Trama piece: the positive environmental impact, support for local artisans, and the commitment to a cleaner future.
It’s not just a rug or a hammock—it’s a statement of values.
From Clean Energy, and through our sustainable alliance with Páramo Impacta, we proudly honor Trama as the “Most Sustainable Venture” of the 8th Edition of the Vassar Fair, 2025.
Alejandra and Juliana aren’t just weaving fabrics—they’re weaving a new paradigm for the industry, where creativity, sustainability, and social impact intertwine to build a brighter future.
Trama is living proof that, with threads of ingenuity and commitment, we can give new life to what others call waste—and in doing so, renew the way we consume and live.
