Learn about Cuyana’s story of craftsmanship and the culture of artisans they have discovered in Ecuador. Cuyana Cofounder and CEO Karla Gallardo grew up in Ecuador and the country has always been a core part of the company’s DNA. It is the home of the brand’s iconic straw hats crafted from Toquilla straw sourced from the Andes, the first products that Cuyana launched. It takes 8 hours to weave one Toquilla straw piece by hand, and each square inch of 1 single piece consists of between 1,600 and 2,500 hand weaves.