Weaving memory, culture and courage into fashion’s future by Kistaku
In the heart of Paris, amid streets where couture tradition runs deep, Spanish artist Jaira De Arriba is quietly rewriting the language of fashion. As the founder of Kistaku, an independent upcycled fashion and art project launched in 2019, she transforms discarded textiles into emotionally charged, one-of-a-kind creations - garments that are as much statements of philosophy as they are feats of design.
Her process is as layered as her work. Born in Spain and shaped by years in Brazil, Scotland, and France, Jaira’s worldview is intrinsically multicultural, her artistic vocabulary rooted in inclusivity, circularity, and cultural sensitivity. “Fashion is never just about clothes,” she says. “It’s a language - one that can tell stories of identity, community, and transformation.”
Over the past few years, Jaira has participated in six fashion shows and independently organized her own artistic fashion event to launch her latest collection, CARROUSEL. In these non-traditional formats, fashion merges with performance and visual storytelling, creating immersive experiences that linger long after the lights dim.
Collaboration is at the heart of Kistaku. She has worked with photographers, stylists, painters, dancers, and multidisciplinary artists “both on stage and behind the scenes, across various events and creative projects.” These exchanges, she says, are “an essential part of my process, enriching each collection with new perspectives and expanding the boundaries of what fashion can communicate as a form of art.”
A Visual Language of Boldness
Jaira’s work is an unapologetic collision of color, print, and form - an artsy, avant-garde, maximalist expression that refuses to blend into the background. Her creations embrace a bold mix of silhouettes and eclectic elements, each piece designed to make a statement and to challenge traditional fashion norms. They evoke emotion and creativity, offering a visual experience that mirrors the complexity of vulnerability and personal transformation. Through this fearless fusion of contrasting styles, she has developed a language of design that celebrates individuality and expression.
She admits that her garments are not made for everyone. People often tell her, “It’s so beautiful, but I wouldn’t dare to wear it,” and to her, that hesitation is part of the purpose. By provoking admiration, curiosity, and introspection, her work pushes beyond comfort zones, awakening emotion and inviting the observer to reflect on identity, courage, and self-expression.
CARROUSEL, the latest collection of Kistaku
Roots and Reverberations
When asked about her first creative moment, Jaira recalls: “I’ve always been a deeply creative child, dancing since I was three, playing the harp at the music conservatory for 2 years, and later studying for 6 years at the dance conservatory. I also attended a visual arts high school and have always felt connected to any form of artistic expression.”
Her passion for fashion emerged early: “My passion for fashion began around the age of eight, when I would reuse fabric scraps from my grandmother, who was a seamstress. I started designing little outfits for my dolls with her leftovers, those moments were playful and instinctive, but they planted the seed of what I do today: transforming what’s left behind into something full of meaning and personality.”
The Circular Future of Fashion
For Jaira, sustainability is not a trend - it’s a foundation. By working exclusively with reclaimed materials, she proves that environmental responsibility can coexist with beauty, boldness, and artistic risk.
Her creations are not just clothes but rather stories stitched from memory, culture, and courage. And while not every person may dare to wear them, every viewer is invited to feel them, to question them, and perhaps, to see themselves reflected in their fearless seams.
