About Clemente

Concept

Founded by mother and daughters, Clemente is a Panamá-based concept brand that specializes in transforming signature paintings into timeless and sustainable designs. Originally focused on starring the scarf as an indispensable piece, the brand is expanding to offer other fashion, art, and home pieces that reflect the style and life philosophy of its co-founders. All designs are originally painted on canvas by our Creative Director, and then tailored into unique pieces that are available worldwide.

Team

Clemente is the synergy between Panamanian mother & daughter trio María Teresa, Ana Lucía and Laura Isabel. The three co-founders carefully merge their artistic eye and operational mindset to transform into reality what once seemed merely a dream.

María Teresa (53) is the strategy and lifestyle advisor of Clemente. As an architect by profession and a designer by heart, she is in charge of curating our product portfolio, brand aesthetics, and public image. Counting with years of experience in the HR and Finance industry, she manages our internal affairs and leads our decision-making processes.

Ana Lucía (22) is the corporate director of Clemente and a technology consulting analyst at Ernst & Young NYC. She graduated from Georgetown University in 2021, where she earned a BSBA degree major in Operations & Information Management, and a minor in Entrepreneurship. Passionate about the corporate face of the creative industry, she contributes to the Clemente story by directing the brand’s administrative affairs, as well as by overseeing the design and confection of the pañuelos.

Laura Isabel (19) is the creative director of Clemente and is currently a student at the Savannah College of Art and Design, where she is pursuing a BFA in Architecture and Painting, as well as a minor in Fashion. With technical experience in a variety of art branches ranging from architecture to ceramics, she is the author of every Clemente design. Through her artistic and professional development, she aspires to further evolve the brand’s image and diversify its concept.

“Clemente”

The name Clemente pays tribute to the source of our business inspiration: a series of women in our family born between 1904 and 1968 that ignited a strong sense of ambition for translating passions and talents into concrete professional endeavors. Clementina Malek (1904-1953), our great-grandmother, heads the list. Perfectly balancing between family, work and personal life — these women have shaped our intellectual curiosity while reinforcing the importance of feeling fulfilled from within.

Through the brand, we intend to translate the same sense of confidence, femininity, curiosity, grace and good-taste that formed us and which we are forever grateful for.

Origin

How did you come up with this idea?

We frequently got this question from family and friends whenever we wore extravagant accessories, and often struggled to adequately vocalize on the origins of our creations. The colorful printed scarves, joyful table runners, and vivid fabric scraps we recollected from the many Central and South American artisanal markets we visited were the main inputs to our styling idea. Indeed, we were amazed by how a single piece of clothing could be twisted and turned into practically anything - from blouses and dresses, skirts and belts, to even headbands. These experiences truly sparked in us the desire to create unique wearable art pieces that could symbolize spontaneous versatility as it invited the user to decide on the final outcome.

Against a non-existent go-to store that provides both high-quality and affordability, Clemente is meant to become the answer to the frustrated question as it addresses the current breach in the market between luxury designer and artisanal rustic pañuelo-like pieces. The brand aims to satisfy the average young consumer demand for exclusively-designed, carefully-manufactured yet price-value balanced products.

Our Values

Creativity | Experience | Passion | Commitment | Sustainability

Our Practices

Versatile products | Earth-conscious pieces | Responsible manufacturing | Plastic-free & recyclable packaging