A remarkable women-led enterprise in the Amazon, founded by artisan Kátia Fagundes, is making strides in the sustainable fashion industry by utilizing latex extracted from rubber trees to create beautiful jewelry and accessories. This initiative not only emphasizes the importance of preserving the environment but also empowers local women artisans who transform the latex into organic and biocompatible designs, showcasing the possibilities of eco-friendly materials in the fashion sector.

The enterprise sources latex from families of rubber tappers residing on idyllic islands such as Cotijuba, Paquetá, and Mosqueiro in Belém, as well as Ponta de Pedras in Marajó. By employing a group of ten women, the company engages in a creative process where threads are immersed in latex to create vibrant, rubberized materials for crafting stunning jewelry items like necklaces, bracelets, rings, and earrings. This innovative use of local resources not only generates income for these artisans but also serves as a model for sustainable entrepreneurship.

Founded in 2009, Da Tribu has continually prioritized the use of organic inputs to create sustainable fashion alternatives, aligning with global movements toward ecological responsibility in the industry. Kátia Fagundes emphasizes that their mission extends beyond the products; it targets social impact by supporting female empowerment and championing the use of sustainable materials, thereby contributing to a vibrant and sustainable economic ecosystem in the Amazon region.