YAPA- Bernarda Story

Bernarda Pelaez

Founder of YAPA

-BOLIVIA-

What inspired you to start your brand?

That was a simple yet powerful vision: to share the beauty of Bolivia’s artisanal heritage and rich culture with the world through contemporary knitwear.

Growing up in Bolivia, I witnessed firsthand the extraordinary skill of local artisans and the timeless traditions passed down through generations. I also understood that behind every handmade garment was a story—of exceptional natural fibers, ancestral craftsmanship, and communities whose knowledge deserved global recognition.

After moving to New York City, I saw an opportunity to bridge these two worlds. I founded YAPA to reinterpret Bolivia’s knitting traditions through a modern, luxury lens, creating timeless pieces that honor their origins while appealing to an international audience. By combining exceptional alpaca and llama fibers, contemporary design, and meticulous handcraftsmanship, YAPA preserves cultural heritage while creating meaningful opportunities for Bolivian artisans.

For me, every YAPA piece is more than a sweater—it is a way of celebrating Bolivia’s identity, elevating artisan craftsmanship, and ensuring that these remarkable traditions continue to thrive for generations to come.

How has your immigrant journey shaped your business?

Moving from Bolivia to New York completely changed the way I see my own heritage. Being far from home made me realize how extraordinary Bolivia’s culture, artisanal traditions, and natural fibers truly are. What once felt familiar became something I wanted to protect, celebrate, and share with the world.
As an immigrant, I’ve learned to live between two worlds. Bolivia will always be my foundation, while New York has challenged me to think bigger, dream boldly, and see design through a global lens. YAPA was born from that intersection—a brand that brings together the craftsmanship of the Bolivian Andes with contemporary design, creating timeless knitwear that honors tradition while feeling relevant today.
For me, YAPA is deeply personal. Every collection is a love letter to the country where I was born and to the artisans whose hands keep our heritage alive. Through every piece, I hope to share the beauty of Bolivian craftsmanship, celebrate our culture, and create a lasting appreciation for the people, stories, and traditions woven into every stitch.

What challenges did you face building your brand?

Building YAPA has been one of the most rewarding and challenging experiences of my life. Creating a brand is a journey of continuous learning. From designing each collection and working with artisans to selling directly to customers, growing our online presence, and building wholesale partnerships, every stage has brought new lessons. As a small business, there is rarely a roadmap—only the willingness to learn, adapt, and keep moving forward.
One of the greatest challenges has also been finding the capital to grow. Building a fashion brand requires constant investment—in product development, production, inventory, marketing, and expanding into new markets. Balancing creativity with the financial realities of running a business has taught me resilience, resourcefulness, and the importance of making thoughtful, long-term decisions.
Every obstacle has strengthened my belief in YAPA’s mission. Each challenge has become an opportunity to learn, evolve, and continue building a brand that celebrates Bolivian craftsmanship while creating meaningful opportunities for the artisans who bring every collection to life.
In the beginning, I did almost everything myself. I designed collections, managed production, packed orders, handled customer service, created content, and learned the business side of fashion one step at a time. It was overwhelming at times, but it also gave me a deep understanding of every part of the brand and strengthened my connection to YAPA’s mission.

What are you most proud of?

What I’m most proud of is being able to share my culture with the world through YAPA. Every collection is deeply personal—a love letter to the country where I was born and to the artisans whose hands keep our heritage alive.
Seeing someone wear a YAPA piece means they’re also carrying a story of Bolivia: our exceptional natural fibers, our craftsmanship, and traditions that have been passed down through generations. Knowing that I can help preserve and celebrate this heritage while creating opportunities for Bolivian artisans is the achievement I’m most proud of.
YAPA is more than a knitwear brand to me. It’s a way of honoring where I come from and ensuring that the beauty of Bolivian culture continues to inspire people around the world.

What makes your brand unique?

What makes YAPA unique is the way it bridges two worlds. Rooted in the rich artisanal traditions of the Bolivian Andes and shaped by a contemporary design perspective from New York City, YAPA reimagines heritage through modern luxury knitwear.
Every piece begins with some of the world’s finest alpaca and llama fibers and is handcrafted by skilled Bolivian artisans using techniques passed down through generations. Rather than following fast-changing trends, we create timeless collections that celebrate craftsmanship, authenticity, and the luxury of time.
At YAPA, every garment tells a story—of culture, craftsmanship, and the people behind it. It’s more than knitwear; it’s a meaningful connection to Bolivia’s heritage, transformed into pieces designed to be worn, treasured, and passed on.

What does being part of Femmenas mean to you?

Being part of Femmenas is both an honor and an inspiration. As an entrepreneur, the journey can often feel lonely, so being surrounded by a community of female founders and creatives who understand both the challenges and the triumphs of building a business is incredibly meaningful.
I also love what Femmenas represents for consumers. It gives people a place to discover independent brands with meaningful stories, thoughtful craftsmanship, and products created with passion and purpose. In a world of mass production, creating a platform that celebrates small businesses and the people behind them is incredibly valuable. I’m proud to be part of a community that champions entrepreneurship, creativity, and brands that are making a difference.