Meet Kika Alcega of Neushop in Miami Design District | VoyageMIA

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kika Alcega.

Kika, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Neushop began in 2012 out of more than 30 years of experience manufacturing and retailing clothing in Latin America. Our mission has always been to bring people into contact with good design in their everyday life in an honest, unassuming, genuine way. We believe in the value of ordinary objects to which we can relate to in a meaningful way because of how they are conceived of and brought to life.

We began online with a simple line of elemental wardrobe staples manufactured in Peru with one of the best cottons in the world. Today, that has grown into brick and mortar locations as well, and a broader offering of clothing and design objects.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
As a young family-owned business, we have faced many of the hardships of being a small fish in a big pond. It took us some time to understand how little value conventional retail and marketing practices had to offer to small business owners like ourselves. That said, we now appreciate more than ever opportunities to engage with people in personal and genuine ways. We believe it is the best way to grow in a lasting and fulfilling way.

Neushop – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
We are best known for our 100% Peruvian cotton tops, which we currently offer in 9 styles and 50 colors. Our color palette leaves a strong impression on people when they visit the store, and they come back for the drape and feel of the natural fabric. I think what sets us apart from others is our commitment to quality and attention to detail in designing and selecting objects that are usually given little importance to. We give a lot of value to the expertise and knowledge that goes into making seemingly simple objects like a t-shirt or a notebook, and I believe it’s what makes our customers see a difference between ourselves and others. We are particularly proud when our efforts help support the craft of artisans and manufacturers with a deep passion for whatever it is that they do.

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
We think of success in terms of our business as being able to have a model that allows us to work on something fulfilling and that we can be proud of in a sustainable way. We are not so interested in growing for the sake of growing. We celebrate when we are able to put people in contact with their material surroundings in a fundamentally fulfilling way; when they see the value of the important human relation that exists between maker and user.

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