When two neighbors meet, they rarely imagine that their shared conversations over food, design, and family might one day blossom into a business partnership. But that’s exactly what happened when Rocio and Jayme met in 2013. Their friendship, rooted in a mutual love of travel, fashion, and the simple joys of gathering around a good bottle of wine, naturally evolved into something more. Years later, those early conversations would plant the seeds for what is now Chio: a brand that embodies timeless design, cultural heritage, and purpose.

The first spark of Chio came from Rocio, who launched the brand in 2018 as a way to celebrate the artistry of Peruvian textiles and to connect that heritage with a modern global audience. Jayme, who had built her career in designer retail marketing, was an early supporter. She began contributing informally by helping with product design, sharing her expertise in fashion merchandising, and lending a hand at special events. What began as friendship became collaboration. In 2022, Rocio officially invited Jayme to join the team, and together they began reimagining the brand’s future. In 2025, Chio relaunched with fresh creative direction and renewed vision.

The story of Chio is also the story of its founders, and their unique backgrounds. Rocio grew up in Lima, Peru, where she earned her business degree before moving to the United States to pursue an MBA. Her career began in product marketing, but her heart remained tied to the artistry of her home country. The traditional textiles, the stories woven into alpaca fibers, and the cultural legacy of Peruvian craftsmanship became the foundation of her creative vision. Today, Rocio lives with her family in the Seattle area, and her work at Chio bridges two worlds: her Peruvian roots and her global perspective. She brings not only business expertise but also a deep personal connection to the artistry at the brand’s core.

Jayme is a Pacific Northwest native who studied business and apparel/merchandising/textiles before embarking on a career in luxury retail. Her time at Nordstrom and Mario’s gave her a sharp understanding of what makes a product resonate in the world of high fashion: an elegant balance of desirability and timelessness. She brings to Chio a discerning eye for aesthetics and the kind of brand and merchandising experience that ensures attention to every detail. Together, Rocio and Jayme bring their complementary strengths to Chio: one grounded in cultural heritage and strategic thinking, the other in luxury fashion and modern branding.

Of course, building a brand rarely follows a straight path. The original launch of Chio in 2018 was deeply personal for Rocio. Chio was a passion project meant to share the richness of Peruvian craftsmanship with a broader audience. She started small, creating a thoughtful collection of high-quality textiles that carried a big purpose: to support the education of girls in Peru. But like many entrepreneurs, Rocio eventually discovered the challenges of going it alone. Managing everything from product development to branding and logistics was exhausting, and the experience revealed a valuable lesson: creative visions are stronger when shared. Collaboration doesn’t just lighten the load; it infuses the work with energy, joy, and new perspectives. That realization made inviting Jayme into the brand feel inevitable. Their relaunch is more than just a business move, it is a chance to elevate the spirit of Chio into something more expansive, and more enduring.

At the heart of Chio are its textiles, especially its throws, which are crafted with care and integrity. Each throw begins with the finest alpaca fiber, a material prized for its unparalleled softness, warmth, and weightlessness. The production process is slow and thoughtful, designed to honor both the material and the artisans who transform it. Rocio and Jayme work with a factory in Peru that reflects their values: a focus on quality, fair labor conditions, and a genuine commitment to the well-being of its workers. By producing in small batches and prioritizing quality over volume, Chio ensures that each piece carries not just beauty but also meaning. Every throw tells a story of Peruvian heritage, and the hands and hearts that shape it.

But Chio’s story extends beyond craftsmanship. From the beginning, the brand has been tied to a larger mission: creating opportunities for girls. That commitment is most visible in its partnership with the Sacred Valley Project (SVP), a nonprofit dedicated to providing access to education for girls from remote Andean communities. Many of these girls come from areas where secondary schools are simply not available, and without support, their education would end far too soon. Sacred Valley Project offers them safe housing, nutritious meals, and the academic support they need to thrive. By donating a percentage of sales to SVP, Chio closes a circle by giving back to the very communities that inspire its work and empowering the next generation of young women in Peru.

The relaunch of Chio in 2025 represents more than a brand refresh; it is the culmination of friendship, shared values, and a vision sharpened by experience. Rocio and Jayme have built something that is not only beautiful but also purposeful, rooted in authenticity and sustained by collaboration. Their journey reflects the idea that the best work often begins in unexpected places: a neighborly conversation and a shared passion. Today, Chio is a reflection of those beginnings, offering products that are as meaningful as they are timeless.