An invitation to travel is how we could sum up Sofia Sanchez de Betak's life and work. An avid world traveler and original from Buenos Aires, she is now based in New York. Fashion consultant and influencer, she became famous through her Instagram account "Chufy", which ended up being the name of her own ready-to-wear brand. Taking direct inspiration from her travels, each collection is an ode to a specific destination, its culture and artisans, as well as local craftsmanship. Launched in 2017, she started with a collection inspired by Argentina, her homeland, followed by Japan, Peru, Dubai, and has now come full-circle, back to Argentina. Her travels also inspired a book, "Travels with Chufy", published by Assouline. During the lockdown, she mobilized the fashion industry for a Silent Charity Auction towards Doctors Without Borders.
YOUR LATEST COLLECTION IN 3 WORDS:
frisky, dazed, precious
YOUR MAIN INSPIRATIONS FOR THIS COLLECTION
The inspiration of this collection is a trip I did across the Arizona desert when I was a teenager. The wild life, the sunsets, the vegetation and the ancestral heritage all came together to create our original prints.
YOUR FAVORITE PIECE FROM THE COLLECTION?
The urpi jumpsuit and the amaru short dress
FOR EACH COLLECTION, YOU ARE COLLABORATING WITH ARTISANS FROM THE PLACE THE COLLECTION IS INSPIRED. WHY ARE CRAFTSMANSHIP AND TRADITION SO IMPORTANT TO YOU?
the brand was born out of this dream, working together local artisans and helping them grow and share their art. Unfortunately, as the brand grew bigger, we had to centralize production in one place and work with one fixed community. Still, we work with different organizations to support local crafts wherever we go.
DURING LOCKDOWN, YOU LAUNCHED YOUR FIRST FUNDRAISER FOR DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS. COULD YOU PLEASE TELL US MORE ABOUT IT ?
it was my first fundraiser, and the energy I got from it was fantastic, both from my team and my colleagues. I had been feeling down during the first weeks of confinement, and this initiative took me out of that dark place and made me realize how lucky I am to have such generous friends and how much we can do when we set our minds to it. At first I asked a couple of talented and successful friends if they would donate experiences, such a front row seat (jacquemus), or an online consulting meeting with Leandra Medine (founder of ManRepeller) or Sarah Andelman (founder of colette), and they all happily agreed! all doors kept opening, and we received donations from Valentino, Repossi, Rimowa, Globe Trotter, Dior, we got more than 80 fabulous lots that raised 100k!
WHICH ARTISTS INSPIRE YOU THE MOST?
I am always fascinated by ancient paintings or murals across the world. I love observing the walls of millenary temples, castles or caves, you can learn so much about the soil you are standing on.
THE FILM THAT SPEAKS THE MOST TO YOUR AESTHETIC?
Darjeeling Limited
THE PLACE THAT ALWAYS INSPIRES YOU?
The one I haven't heard of yet
THE NEXT TRAVEL ON YOUR LIST ?
I can't wait to go back to Myanmar. After an incredible trip there with my family last december, i organized a fundraising community service trip to bring friends and funds to support a local orphanage and their craft initiatives. A group of generous and adventurous friends signed up, and we were all anxious and ready to go, but the pandemic brought the project to a halt, but as soon as we can, we will get going!
IF YOU COULD LIVE IN ANY ERA, WHEN WOULD YOU CHOOSE AND WHY?
The future, I would love to share every step of my daughter's life and meet her grandchildren and more!
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