I’m Ainara, founder and maker of MuXu Creations, a Slow Fashion brand based in San Diego. With a background in psychology, I’m driven by transparency and reinvention. MuXu focuses on sustainability by transforming preexisting materials (deadstock fabric, vintage pieces, reclaimed fabrics) into one-of-a-kind garments, blending the art of sewing and painting. Each piece is a celebration of uniqueness, creativity, and environmental responsibility.
About Ainara Calahorra
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I’m from Spain, my family’s from the Basque Country. I’ve been influenced by the strong women in my family and my entrepreneurial grandfather, who kept reinventing himself until the end. He’s a role model for how to handle both failures and successes. And my husband, Salva—we’ve been growing together for over 22 years, supporting each other in making our personal vision for life a reality.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
Since my current and past careers are different, what I’d really like to emphasize here is the ability to change: even after your forties, and maybe again after your sixties. I strongly believe in the capacity of people to change, from a professional and personal perspective.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
One of the basics (and not because it’s simple, but because there’s no other way) is from the Spanish poet Antonio Machado: “Caminante, no hay camino, se hace camino al andar,” or “Walker, there is no path; the path is made by walking.” After you have a plan, some organization, and an idea, the only way forward is to take action. Your own path will form as you move forward. It’s all about a combination of planning and action.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
I founded MuXu to be part of the solution, to educate and offer alternatives to fast fashion’s environmental impact. I see myself with the same mission in any of the shapes that it could take: maker, designers, educator…
Ainara Calahorra & Our Community
Q: What are a few of your favorite restaurants in our community?
I have several, but focusing on the ones that make you feel ‘at home,’ especially when your roots are far away, I would say: Carbon Angela’s Kitchen in South Park: Angela is an example of fierce entrepreneurship and the best hospitality. Liv in Hillcrest: Juan and Ricardo have the greatest fruit selection, and trust me, you won’t find anything more flavorful for their dishes and beverages.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
11 years
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
When it comes to tackling something as huge as fast fashion, the only way forward is through collaboration and community. That’s how we’ve been doing it from the start. You’d be surprised at how strong the sustainable community is in San Diego. If you’re open to a real growth mindset, you’ll find that there are sustainable businesses here truly helping each other. We’ve done collaborations with Sew Loka, Positive Phee, The Bountiful Bag, PurrFashion, and Sustainability is Sexy. From the outside, you might think we’re competition, but we’ve created so many opportunities by working together. There’s room for everyone. I’m super proud of the sustainable community we’ve built in San Diego.
Q: If you could choose anyone alive today and not a relative, with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would you meet for this lunch?
Honestly, I would love to have lunch with my grandfather one more time. I would ask him about my doubts as an entrepreneur and share with him how much I think he would’ve loved living in San Diego and the US. He would’ve fit right in here.
For Fun
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
Recently, I enjoyed watching A Gentleman in Moscow. I’m also finishing reading The Labyrinth of the Spirits by Carlos Ruiz Zafón (which was translated into English as well) and I’m loving it!
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
At 17, I decided to train in the arts and apply to art school in case my grades weren’t good enough for psychology. I got the grades, so I went on to get my Master’s and Ph.D., working in psychology for the next 20 years. Most people know me as a psychologist or slow fashion designer, but not many knew I was ready to follow art as plan B when I was a teenager.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
The San Diego Farmers Market! We are so fortunate to have access to local, fresh vegetables in several locations and several days a week. I absolutely adore it.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
From my family to my friends, to people I meet at events and markets… I go for the idea that we can influence each other in a positive way if we choose to pay attention to it.
Q: Finally, what three words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
For me, HOME is what I have in San Diego: Salva and Basil, my love for the ocean, new life experiences, starting fresh. But HOME is also Spain: tapas with friends, nieces growing up way too fast, and the importance of social and family time
