Sarah Khoudja – The journey that gave life to CuCilento

CuCilento was born in 2022 from an idea by Sarah, who combines her background in social work with a passion for craftsmanship. After moving to Cilento, she chose to slow down and create beauty through upcycling, involving local seamstresses and materials with a story.
  • CuCilento Stories
Sarah founder Cucilento

From Humanitarian Project Manager...

For fifteen years, Sarah worked as a project manager in international humanitarian efforts, supporting vulnerable communities with competence and heart. But deep inside, she felt drawn to something simpler, more authentic — rooted in nature.

...to the Heart of Cilento

In July 2021, at the age of 40, she left Brussels with her family and moved to Petrosa, in the heart of the Cilento National Park. What began as a “sabbatical year” soon became a life choice: to reconnect with the land, raise free-spirited children, and breathe in beauty.

The Spark

Walking among the olive trees, she started asking practical questions: “Why are agricultural materials abandoned or burned? How can we counter plastic with creativity and poetry?” Her love for sewing resurfaced, calling her toward a tangible project.

The First Steps

In the heat of August 2022, she crafted the first prototypes of the “Kit Emilie” — simple handmade pouches — which quickly gained appreciation. That moment marked the birth of CuCilento, a name that affectionately means “with Cilento,” telling a story of deep connection to the land.

A Meaningful Project

Sarah merged her experience in social change with her passion for craftsmanship, transforming scraps into creations, providing work for local seamstresses, and promoting grassroots circular economy. CuCilento was born as a tool for beauty, awareness, and human value.

“Upcycling means giving value: restoring dignity to what was once discarded, giving it attention, beauty, and longevity.”

The Vision

CuCilento offers a mindful alternative — not just an object, but a meaningful gesture. It aims to bring out the work, identity, and creativity of local women, stitching new connections between people and nature.

An Open Journey

In less than two years, Sarah turned a personal transformation into a tangible project — made of objects, relationships, and stories. And while the future remains unwritten, CuCilento already tells a story of courage, craftsmanship, and hope.

Share:

More Articles

Craft & Joy Fest evento CuCilento

Craft & Joy Fest – Agriturismo La Petrosa

C’è un tempo in cui l’estate rallenta il passo, e il Cilento si lascia attraversare con più calma. È in quel tempo che nasce Craft & Joy Fest: una giornata pensata per chi ama la bellezza autentica, le mani che creano, le parole che uniscono. Non è solo una festa. È un invito a ritrovarsi, a respirare insieme, a condividere visioni e percorsi. Un filo rosso ci guiderà tra laboratori, incontri, artigianato e racconti. Un intreccio di vite, storie e territori che si riconoscono e si rigenerano, insieme.

Dettaglio macchina da cucire laboratorio diffuso CuCilento

Fabrics That Speak: The Living Matter of CuCilento

Every CuCilento creation begins with reclaimed fabrics—sails, jute, upholstery, and agricultural nets—chosen for their past and transformed with care. Thanks to our decentralized atelier model, craftsmanship is deeply woven into the territory, in a sustainable and human-centered approach.

Rete olive per shopper spesa diffusa collezione by laboratorio CuCilento

Upcycling as an act of love and creativity

Upcycling is the heart of CuCilento: we turn forgotten materials into unique pieces, full of memory and beauty. A creative gesture that respects the environment and tells a different way of making.

Zaino a sacca in cotone collezione CuCilento

Discover our bag collection—each piece unique, sustainable, and full of character!

Discover our handmade pieces
Let’s Stay in Touch

Every like, every share is a thread that connects us

Follow CuCilento on Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp: small gestures to support a project made of hands, stories, and mindful choices.

Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Envelope
Shopping Cart
en_US
it_IT en_US
Scroll to Top