Paz Lifestyle’s Commitment to Sustainability and Accessibility

They pledge to achieve net-zero emissions by 2025.

Photo by Yuliya Narzhnaya

Sustainability and accessibility are essential for Isabella Montoya. Born in Lima, Peru, and raised in Houston, Texas, she moved to New York City eight years ago, where Paz Lifestyle was born in 2017 and launched in 2019. Paz Lifestyle is all about shopping with a purpose, offering various goods and services of artisanal work created by diverse artists.

Paz Lifestyle’s e-commerce features over 40 accessories, clothes, footwear, vegan products, home and wellness products, and beauty products from Peru, Bolivia, France, Colombia, New York City, and more. Montoya and co-founder Antoine Desjonqueres have pledged to maintain sustainability in Paz Lifestyle by eradicating child labor, increasing fair wages and responsible production and consumption, and committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2025. Montoya spoke with 1202 MAGAZINE about the importance of Paz Lifestyle’s purpose and where the brand is headed today.

When did you start Paz Lifestyle, and what inspired you to start?

Paz Lifestyle's idea came about in 2017, and we launched online in 2019 with a focus on ready-to-wear. My affinity for fashion started in my childhood when my grandmother would make my sisters and me beautiful clothes. I would admire her and marvel at how she could bring designs to life. I dreamt of working in the fashion industry as a child and would often play store with my sisters. I knew I wanted to be in the fashion industry, and so I went on to build a successful career in the fashion industry.

During my pursuit of a Bachelor's degree at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), I realized the negative impact of the fashion industry on the planet and people. It saddened me to learn that an industry I was so passionate about was exploiting individuals and causing harm to the environment. 

Instantly, the mixture of my passion for the fashion industry and my studies urged me to find solutions for the overall industry on a luxury level and to be an accessible marketplace. Being from Peru, I knew this was an excellent opportunity to showcase local designers practicing sustainability since 2006 with a diverse curation of brands from across the world who share the same values and goals for a better environment.

You used to work in luxury retail. What made you want to start your own business?

I reached a plateau and was unable to progress further. I longed for solutions in the industry and resigned in February 2020 to dedicate full-time to Paz Lifestyle. It was a leap of faith with the support of friends and family. I even pulled out my 401k to make it happen. 

How do you know which brands to choose for the label?

It is a process that can take time and requires consideration of current circumstances, company goals, and progress measurement. Marketing, design, and ethics are essential factors to be considered.

Can you talk about the Paz brick and mortars?

At the heart of our hybrid business model are brick-and-mortar stores that bring our online presence to life. Everyone should experience the magic of visiting our stores at least once - it's an experience like no other! From a luxury retail background, orchestrating brick-and-mortar pop-ups comes to me naturally. It is a childhood dream come true. 

With our ephemeral stores, we can constantly evolve and adapt to the changing needs and preferences of our customers. Whether it's a pop-up shop in a trendy neighborhood or a temporary store at a significant event, we strive to create memorable experiences that leave a lasting impression on our customers.

How are you representing various cultures and countries?

Each country is rich in cultural heritage through the medium of crafts, music, and art, and we love to share the unique customs and traditions that make each nation so special with our products.

How do you plan to achieve zero net emissions by 2025, and what does sustainability mean to you? 

As a company, we are committed to reducing our carbon footprint. Our main goal is to decrease waste, improve the efficiency of our resources, and ensure that our products, components, and materials are in constant use. For me, sustainability means adapting to the current times and preparing for future challenges, a balance between humanity and planet Earth.

Why is Paz Lifestyle unique compared to other retailers?

We go beyond labels. We are the only point of sale for about 5% of our brands and, for many, the first luxury space opportunity to showcase their products among other like-minded products with high values, purpose, and innovative design.

What are your goals for Paz Lifestyle in the next few years?

To evolve our e-commerce to a more innovative way of shopping, reach more clients, teach peace through our platform, expand our selling categories, and keep evolving.