Rayene “Ray” Arruda Esteves is a dreamer and passionate about fashion. Her love for fashion design has driven her to transform the industry into a safe space for both producers and consumers. As an environmental activist, Ray uses fashion to raise awareness about the planet. She founded Three Graces to provide job training in entrepreneurship and textile craftsmanship to vulnerable women and to help fashion brands adopt sustainable practices.
Rayene’s journey began during her Fashion Design studies when she worked at an NGO assisting vulnerable women. This experience, combined with her role as a Fashion Revolution Student Ambassador, fueled her passion for sustainable fashion. After closing a second-hand clothing store due to the pandemic, she joined an acceleration program that refined her business idea. She later participated in the Shell Youth Initiative, which helped Three Graces become a certified Sustainable Business.
The main challenge Rayene faces is prototyping the job training program in areas affected by violence. Despite these obstacles, she continues to pursue her dream. Her journey as a Y&Y Fellow has provided a supportive community and valuable insights into making her business more socially impactful. Rayene’s advice to young social entrepreneurs is to dream and persevere, always remembering their roots and their goals.
