Born and raised in Mexico City, Erika is a multidisciplinary artist whose work bridges fashion, heritage, and social impact. In 2012, she moved to London after leaving behind a stable corporate career to follow her creative calling. She completed a Master’s degree in International Fashion Marketing at the British School of Fashion and went on to launch two collections while partnering with brands to promote Mexican arts and crafts in the UK and across Europe.

The pandemic marked a pivotal moment, a profound challenge for the fashion industry that also became a catalyst for reflection and transformation. After a year in lockdown in London, restructuring her business model and reimagining her vision, Erika returned to Mexico to reconnect with Indigenous communities and develop the first samples of what would later become KOUA Studio.

She completed the Women Leading Change: Shaping Our Future program at the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership and remains deeply committed to empowering artisans, advancing ethical and circular practices, and contributing to closing the gender gap within the creative industries.

Now based in Paris, Erika is expanding her artistic practice on a global stage. In 2025, she presented her first collection in the city, marking a new chapter in her journey, one that positions her work at the intersection of art, cultural preservation, and contemporary design.

Driven by collaboration, cultural preservation, and social impact, Erika’s work goes beyond garments, it tells stories, safeguards heritage, and creates opportunities. Her purpose is not only to leave a meaningful mark in the creative industries, but to transform lives through creativity, dignity, and purpose.