Since April 1992, when Nick Brown formed a partnership with Creaciones Miquelina in Bogotá, Colombia, Páramo has protected people outdoors with high performance, sustainable and award-winning clothing.
Páramo was born 30 years ago when our founder, Nick, was introduced to Sister Esther Castaño Mejia who was running a small sewing workshop, Creaciones Miquelina, offering practical help to vulnerable women from the streets of Bogotá, Colombia. The workshop provided training and experience enabling women to apply for jobs in other factories, although it was not a commercially viable manufacturer at this stage with twenty women working on just two second hand sewing machines.
Sister Esther was in need of a visionary partner willing to help the charity grow and so the production of Nick’s directional waterproof garments began, Páramo was launched and Miquelina – named after Sister Micaela, the founder of the order – was on the path to charitable foundation status. 30 years on, there are now 150 women working for Páramo in Bogotá and a further 50 based in East Sussex.
In February 2022 our alliance was cemented further with not only the integration of the Miquelina factory into the Páramo business, but also our transition to an Employee Owned Trust.
“Over the years, I have loved seeing the pictures and hearing the stories of you all enjoying your Páramo kit in the great outdoors and we will celebrate our 30th year with some fantastic stories of our own. We are extremely proud of everything we have achieved and the next 30 years promise to be just as exciting as we continue on our journey producing innovative yet sustainable high performance clothing, whilst having a positive social impact.” Richard Pyne, Páramo Commercial Director,
30 years of Páramo highlights:
1992: Páramo was born and production at Creaciones Miquelina in Bogotá, Colombia commences.
1999: Our workshop is established at our East Sussex HQ, enabling the repair and alteration of Páramo garments.
2002: Creaciones Miquelina attains ISO 9001 accreditation, which provides the basis for effective people to deliver effective processes and product/service continually.
2006: Our Trees for Life partnership was seeded, with our charitable donations helping to rewild the Scottish Highlands.
2007: We launched our carbon balancing initiative, working with the World Land Trust to offset operational carbon emissions.
2010: The Ethical Consumer Magazine Best Buy Label is awarded to Páramo.
2012: Our Páramo Recycling Scheme is launched, helping to save clothing from landfill and providing a safe route for the disposal of unwanted garments.
2014: Páramo clothing production becomes guaranteed PFC-free.
2016: We are the first outdoor company to sign on to the Greenpeace Detox commitment, and we are awarded a Guardian Sustainable Business Award.
2017: Miquelina attains guaranteed Fair Trade status from the World Fair Trade Organization.
2021: Páramo is awarded GOLD in The Great Outdoors Magazine Readers Awards, securing 50% of the vote in the Outdoor Clothing and Equipment Brand of the Year category. We also received recognition from readers of Which? Magazine.
2022: Páramo integrates the Miquelina factory into its business, transitions to an Employee Owned Trust, and we celebrate our 30th birthday!
2022 is a momentous year for us and from April 22nd we will be sharing exciting and engaging 30th birthday activity on our website and social media feeds, and in our newsletters. Our brand would not be what it is today without 30 years of support and loyalty from you, our Páramo People, and we are excited to celebrate with you…
I have, and still use an original pre- production Paramo suit comprising salopette trousers and a short blouson type top.
The best outdoor clothing I have ever owned and would recommend to anyone.
Is it really 30 years?
I bought a Prima ‘Suit’, jacket and trosers in 1992 and unfortunately lost the jacket to a car theft in 1993, quickly replaced but ripped open by barbed wire, still have the trousers, which after nany washes with Nikwax are still in use for my birdwatching.
I also have a Cacada ‘Coat’ and an Alta II jacket which is my goto outerwear.
Congratulations and keep up the great work!
I have many paramo jackets. I also love paramo grid womens base layer. I just wish you still do them with a low neck as I hate garments next to my neck. Keep up the good work
Happy Birthday! I have used your products from late 90’s when I first started hill walking and were recommended. I still have my first Tiempo fleece which is brilliant. I have also a Tiaga fleece in black and just sourced another Tiaga fleece in Moss green as they are unavailable it seems. Issue with fabric? These fleeces are fantastic items and please, please, please start remaking them as soon as possible. I have walked miles in them and there is nothing better for walking in the UK. I would love to source one of the Tiempo hoods for the Taiga either Moss green or Black if you can help? This would make the clothing perfect.
Happy Birthday again great product and very satisfied customer after c. 25 years of use. Damian Cliff
Hi
this is brilliant to see. I was aware of a little bit of the history around the company but not this. Not surprised but hugely impressive. One of my best friends died a number of years ago and he was a paramo obsessive! And a lover of the outdoors. I received his paramo waterproof trousers, jacket and a cup of inner layers from his wife. At this stage they were already I would guess at least 10 years old. I got the trousers altered from yourselves and they are still going strong and have been worn almost daily over the last two years. Incredible quality and incredible company. Keep up the good work
Congratulations on 30 years. The very best company for outdoor waterproof clothing. 30 years is a terrific achievement good luck in the next 30.
I still have an original paramo waterproof, bought in 94 from memory and still in regular use. You replaced the main zip approx 6 yrs ago.
Big happy 30th birthday to you !
I love your gear, but had no idea of your history – congratulations you! I wish more companies had your credentials.
Got my Alta in 2001
Still going strong
Will replace when worn out,pity about the loss of the tagia,best fleece by far.
My brother and I bought Paramo jackets in Oxford (Field & Trek) in June 1992, to use on an adventure in Venezuela. I know I’m late to this post, but it’s 2024 now and I still use the same jacket. I also now have Colombian family! What a wonderful product!