Pura Utz is a social impact brand co-founded in Guatemala and Denmark, empowering Mayan women through handcrafted beadwork. By combining traditional skills with contemporary design, the brand creates unique accessories and clothing that uplift communities and challenge global norms around craft, value, and dignity.
.jpg)
.jpg)
Pura Utz is a social impact brand that merges traditional Mayan craftsmanship with contemporary Danish design to create handcrafted beadwork accessories that are both beautiful and meaningful. Founded by Anna Waller Andrés from Copenhagen, Denmark, and Bernabela Sapalú from Santiago Atitlán, Guatemala, the company is built on a grassroots commitment to women’s empowerment through dignified work and handmade designs that celebrate craft and talent.
What makes Pura Utz unique is its co-creation model. Every piece is imagined and developed collaboratively between artisans in Guatemala and the creative team in Denmark. This inclusive design process honours the women’s skills while connecting local traditions to a global market.
Pura Utz operates at the intersection of social innovation, sustainability, and cultural craft preservation. The social impact model prioritises quality, care, and community over speed and profit. The result is a collection of joyful, handmade pieces with deep social impact. By elevating beadwork into high-quality design objects, Pura Utz is reshaping how we value labour, heritage, and handmade art in a globalised world.
“It’s just a beaded banana, what makes it special is what it means to the woman who made it and the person who will wear it.”
.jpg)
%20web.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
%20web.JPG)
About Pura Utz
Pura Utz is a social impact brand founded by Anna Waller Andrés and master artisan Bernabela Sapalú in Santiago Atitlán, Guatemala. Rooted in a mission to empower Mayan women, the brand combines traditional beadwork with modern design. Pura Utz envisions a world where craft is valued, women thrive through dignified work, and cultural heritage is celebrated globally through ethical, handmade products.