10 Latin American brands to wear this summer
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Image from pepapombo.com.
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With the arrival of summer comes a longing for the tropics, a desire partly satisfied by donning bold florals, colorful statement earrings, and woven beach totes inspired by South America. Thankfully, Latin America is having a major moment in fashion, and with Colombiamoda (Colombia’s fashion week) just around the corner, we’ve curated a selection of designers that will bring South American sizzle to any summer wardrobe.
1. WaiWai
Incorporating the unmistakable ‘carioca’ spirit unique to Rio de Janeiro, stylist turned designer Leo Neves founded Waiwai in 2015. The brand exalts contemporary Brazil and the everlasting summer, with tropical handmade purses that blend rustic, raw materials such as rattan with leather, silk, acrylic and metal. Plus—they’re quite an exciting alternative to your standard beach tote. waiwairio.com
2. Pepa Pombo
Colombian designer Pepa Pombo specializes in knitwear with tropical patterns and rich, seventies-era tones marked by lotus flare skirts, kimonos and body-accentuating silhouettes. Since Pepa’s daughter, Monica Holguín, took charge of the brand's creative direction, the fashion house has taken a more colorful route, always respecting its signature DNA while adding an element of functionality in its reversible, adaptable pieces. pepapombo.com
3. Maison Alma
Image by Arcal Studio for Maison Alma.
Established by Colombian-born Daniela Bahamon, Maison Alma produces exceptional statement coats and purses that represent the ‘soul’ of Latin America— with a Parisian twist. Her luxurious, vibrant pieces recall fauna and flora, and, as the name would suggest, are made with the richest French interior design textiles, all handcrafted by master tailors in Bogotá, Colombia. maison-alma.com
4. Carolina K
Image from carolinak.com.
After traveling across Latin America, India and other destinations, Argentinian-born Carolina Kleinman created her namesake brand, focusing on the rich textiles of Latin America and presenting a sophisticated, artisanal alternative for the gypsy-spirited traveler. Working under a fair trade model, the designer collaborates with artisans in Mexico and throughout Latin America in an effort to keep ancient traditions alive and give back to local indigenous communities. carolinak.com
5. Palorosa
Inspired by Guatemalan craftsmanship, Italian-Guatemalan landscape and interior architect Cecilia Pirani launched Palorosa in 2014, a lifestyle brand presenting high quality tote bags and pots that repurpose the traditional recycled plastic baskets of her home country by reinterpreting them in a modern way. The Palorosa tote fits anything you might need for everyday urban life, or even a day at the beach. palorosaproject.com
6. Monica Sordo
Caracas-born jewelry designer Monica Sordo worked at Marie Claire magazine and studied in Milan, Madrid and New York before launching her jewelry brand in 2012. Her collections often take inspiration from the architecture she discovers on her travels, with art deco details and iconic buildings at the center of many of her collections. Her work is also heavily influenced by pre-Incan culture, and Sordo works alongside local craftsmen in Lima, Perú to create each of her remarkable statement pieces. monicasordo.com
7. Yosuzi
Born and raised in Venezuela, Yosuzi Sylvester of Yosuzi, meaning "cactus flower" in the Guajiro dialect, spent her childhood immersed in the traditional stories and crafts of her ancestral Guajiro heritage. In 2014, she embarked on an expedition to the Guajira desert in Venezuela, to reconnect with her family’s Native American Heritage, eventually collaborating with the local craftsmen that hand weave the hats known as ‘Woma'. Each hat is made of 100% Iraka palm straw, and takes about eight hours to weave. yosuzi.com
8. Mallarino
Created by Colombian-born sisters Lucía and Isabella Bueno Mallarino, this brand features handmade jewelry that is crafted in the delicate filigree technique, a method that consists of hand-sewing the jewel with a gold thread. The sisters grew up in the Colombian city of Cali, known for its lush flora and fauna, and with each timeless Mallarino piece comes the suggestion of nature along with a contemporary touch. mallarino.com
9. Hunting Season
After witnessing the art of Italian craftsmanship firsthand during her internship in the accessories studio of Valentino in Rome, Danielle Corona established Hunting Season, a brand founded on tradition and a modern interpretation of the classics. The result is a collection of timeless heirlooms developed by master carpenters and woven by hand in Colombia. hunting-season.com
10. Beck Jewels
Inspired by the duality of island living in the Dutch Caribbean and the urban melting pot that is New York City, Beck Jewels presents a fresh way to wear pearls. Designer Rebecca Zeijdel-Paz combines artistic elements from her upbringing on the Caribbean island of Curaçao with the cultural influences of her New York home, handcrafting the pieces in Brooklyn, and sourcing gemstones known for their healing and transformative properties. beck-jewels.myshopify.com