About
The Store and Houseline ZENPUI
This is a place to find your rhythm, your style, your inspiration. Curated by Anielis Raas, the selection within the store complements the style, values and nature of her work through her brand ZENPUI. You will find versatile, dynamic and eco-conscious apparel, jewelry, accessories, regional crystals and artisan goods for your enJOYment.
ZENPUI, our house line of eco-conscious jewelry and apparel is versatile and easy to style with classic elements and a bit of flare. We use production methods that value the time and energy put into each piece by the hands that create them. Beyond the object, there's a meaning, a blessing, an affirmation attached to each piece, serving as a reminder for the wearer to connect with its human nature, essence and soul.
ZENPUI is an invitation to experience a life that allows us to connect with something greater than ourselves. It is composed of two words, ZEN + TEPUI, the first one, beyond the school of Buddhism, it speaks of reaching enlightenment through experience, for us humans, that means reaching happiness through the way we live and TEPUI is the name of the square mountains in the south of Venezuela and north of Brazil that in the dialect of the natives means “The House of the Gods.” Learn more
The Founder
Anielis Raas (Ani) was born and raised in Venezuela, she's been a metalsmith for 16 years, an apparel designer for 9 and an explorer of the self for many more. Ani's purpose is to create beauty through her creative processes and live in a way that honors all the energy put into this world. She believes fashion should embrace the natural diversity of our bodies and use resources consciously, it's not just about how we look, but about how we feel when we present ourselves.
Ani's jewelry is full of symbolism, every piece has a blessing inspired by the healing properties of the materials she uses. Her clothes are form fitting, but not constrictive, she uses classic elements with a twist, the aesthetic allows women to express their personality without sacrificing style or damaging people and the environment. Everything is made to order with eco conscious materials and production methods in Portland, Oregon.
Anielis has been working with small business owners and non-profit organization in the advising and education of the hispanic community in Oregon, having created different educational programs based on her experience and education. She hopes to break the gap between education and business ownership to grow a sector that's responsible for many jobs. See Ani's professional profile here.
Photo by Matt Kellam
Sustainability
We produce everything in small batches in our studio in Portland, OR. We use a production approach that reduces waste as much as possible, using fabric remnants to make accessories and this applies to jewelry as well, every scrap of metal is recycled and aside from the sample piece, everything is made to order.
We source our materials taking environmental impact into account and procure to source fair trade. Our metals are recycled and processed in the USA in a facility powered by renewable energies, our gemstones have been purchased throughout the years in small batches, from rock shops, independent distributors and lapidaries along the journeys of the designer and we are moving towards using only stones that are mined and cut in the USA.
Our fabric choices are made of natural fibers or manufactured fibers made with natural materials, in the rare case we use synthetic fibers, these are dead-stock or purchased from seamstresses that are retiring from the business.
Pictures coming soon, in the mean time, feel free to reach out if you have additional questions about our sustainable practices.