Annie Millican joined Awamaki in 2009 to explore product development opportunities that would benefit the Patacancha weaving association and help promote Quechua artistry.  Her deep conviction that design practices can broker economic opportunities for marginalized producers led her to establish Awamaki Lab, a program that facilitates skill-sharing through the creation of marketable goods. 

With a keen interest in the material culture of textile art and a great appreciation of papas, cui, and huayno music, Annie will always treasure her years living in Ollantaytambo.  In early 2013, Annie returned to her home state of New York and handed off Lab to on-site staff and seamstresses.  She is excited to see the program grow under the guidance of Awamaki’s new administrators and local artisans.

Annie’s work with Awamaki Lab has been recognized by Global Giving for its innovations in the social  impact design sector.  Lab has been featured as a top sustainable womenswear brand in Vogue, Elle, Refinery29, Blackbook, Urban Outfitters, Fashionista and leading green media including Treehugger and Inhabitat.

Prior to Awamaki Lab, Annie worked in the sustainable fashion sector in New York City as a sourcing and production lead at Bodkin, a brand strategist and social media troubleshooter at Post+Beam, a textile researcher at Earth Pledge, and a blogger for Hand/Eye Magazine.  She holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Development Studies and Art History from McGill University in Montreal, Canada.