Today, there are roughly 60 million Latinx people living in the U.S. — each one of us with our own unique cultural experiences and points of view. We are launching Somos, a cross-platform channel created in collaboration with the Latinx staff at Refinery29. We seek to elevate, educate, and inspire a new generation of changemakers committed to Latinx visibility. We’ll explore the unique issues that affect us and dive into the parallels and contrasts that make our community so rich‚ all while celebrating nuestras culturas.
Latin America has never been recognized as an international fashion hotspot, yet the contributions the Latinx community has made to the global clothing industry can’t be overstated. Veteran designers like the late Oscar de la Renta have made an invaluable impact on the world of high fashion, while the everyday styles of the Latinx community continue to influence the way others dress, for better or worse.
To be clear, Latinx representation is on the rise in fashion, not only front row at Fashion Week (who could forget Cardi B’s first encounter with Anna Wintour?), but behind the scenes. As social media brings us all closer together, more and more Latinx fashion designers are becoming serious power players in the industry. These up-and-comers don’t conform to any singular notion of what a Latinx designer should create. Some gravitate toward an abstract, artistic vision; others look to their heritage as a primary source of inspiration. Others, still, use their craft to deconstruct the taboos of their culture while embracing the aspects of Latinidad they cherish most. Keep reading to learn about the nine Latinx designers who absolutely need to be on your radar.
There’s a reason Elena Velez was named one of Teen Vogue’s Generation Next fashion designers. A Milwaukee native of Puerto Rican descent, Velez graduated from Parsons School of Design just last year, but she’s already dressed the likes of Charli XCX and Kali Uchis. Her uniquely structural designs offer a fresh interpretation of femininity, drawing inspiration from her mother’s job as a ship captain and creating garments with repurposed boat covers, ship steel, and line.
As seen on Mexican superstars Paulina Goto, Danna Paola, and Bárbara Islas, MX-based designer Iván Ávalos’s voluminous dresses look like they were plucked straight from a modern fairytale. Beyond all the tulle and ruffles, Ávalos also makes some stunning separates, like this chic pantsuit with ruching details and knitwear that could easily take you from date night to a chill day in la sala.
A cofounder of the now-defunct clothing label Hood By Air, Dominican designer Raul Lopez debuted his first collection for LUAR in September 2018. His androgynous garments have since been worn by Solange and Rihanna. In an interview with The Cut, Lopez notes that his upbringing as a queer Latino in New York City has greatly influenced his designs, which experiment with texture and seldom stray from a neutral color palette.
Born in Venezuela and raised in Miami, Simonette Pereira is the up-and-coming designer on every Instagram it-girl’s radar. Simonett creates super wearable clothing in a range of vibrant colors, prints, and textures. But the beautifully constructed garments don’t just look good; on her website, Pereira provides fully transparent information about Simonett’s supply chain to ensure shoppers know how and where their clothes are being made.
Bárbara Sánchez-Kane’s Mexico City-based label acknowledges the gender stereotypes embedded within Latinx culture — and turns them on their head. The result is a collection of garments that breaks the heteronormative mold while paying homage to the beauty of Mexican tradition; think buff male bodies in satiny dresses featuring iconography of la Virgen de Guadalupe. Trust us when we say Sánchez-Kane’s Instagram is about to take you on the ride of your life.
Ana María Guiulfo’s hand-painted clothing is nothing short of sheer artistry. The Peruvian designer has been showing collections for Ana G in Lima and Miami since 2005. Every season, Ana G’s garments boast an assemblage of one-of-a-kind patterns inspired by Guiulfo’s travels and passion for her home country. As if she weren’t cool enough, Guiulfo also helms a charitable organization called Aprendamos Juntos (“We Learn Together” in English), which aims to grant disadvantaged Peruvian children access to a quality education.
It’s no coincidence that cool-kid fashion destination Opening Ceremony chose to feature Roberto Sánchez in their Year of Mexico initiative. The Mexican designer’s eccentric clothes are like nothing else on the market, having been worn by big names including Bad Bunny, Charli XCX, and even CGI influencer Lil Miquela. Sánchez’s design philosophy is reminiscent of the 1980s in the best way possible, full of neon fabrics, deconstructed denim, and party dresses to die for, like this one-shoulder zebra number.
Pink Magnolia has all the makings of a girly-girl’s dream wardrobe. Helmed by Mexican designer Pavo Wong, the brand’s Instagram profile is a wonderland of pink, peach, and golden textiles taking the form of tea-length dresses, matching sets, and lace-trimmed caftans. Fair warning, though: One look at Wong’s fun-loving designs could leave you yearning for a day at the beach.
Wasi’s stunning Frida Kahlo sets might be one of the few uses of her image the anti-capitalist artist would have approved of. Bolivian-American designer Vanessa Acosta runs her brand out of Los Angeles, and we’re thrilled to report that many of her whimsical designs, like the aforementioned top-and-shorts combo, are actually pretty affordable. Plus, every garment is made-to-order by Acosta to mitigate the environment.
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