Walking into Latin Curated's new SoHo pop-up shop, you're instantly captivated by the abundance of prints, colors, and energy. Handbags with red and yellow hand-stitched birds adorn the closest shelves, while ruffled florals catch your eye in the back and displays of gold jewelry draw you to the center. The space itself evokes a sense of joy, but it's the guests and designers excited for their new collections that really got the party going for the space's NYFW debut Thursday.
A post shared by Latin Curated (@latin__curated) (opens in new tab)
A photo posted by on
This festive setup is the first embodiment of Latin Curated, a new organization that serves as an intermediary between emerging and more established Latin American designers and retailers, press, and consumers. Its goal is to bring unique and sustainable items—including geometric handbags, floral dresses, hand-cut leathers, and oversize gold brooches—made by more than 40 of Latin America's fashion up-and-comers to the mainstream market.
Nina Garcia, Marie Claire creative director and former Project Runway judge, helped host 300 guests at the opening celebration. A native of Colombia, Garcia has a deep connection to her home country and the fashion industry in Central and South America: "I make a point to visit a few times every year, and I'm always awestruck at the innovation and creativity," she says.
"When I was in Bogotá for Fashion Week (opens in new tab) earlier this year, I decided the rest of the world had to see the creativity I was witnessing. That's when I got involved with Latin Curated," Garcia says. "Having been in the American fashion industry for many years, I'm able to act as a steward between Latin American designers and the global fashion market."
This call for original, meaningful design motivated Latin Curated creative director Lorena Cuevas to get involved in the initiative. "It has been very difficult for Latin American designers to reach a global audience," she says, noting obstacles of accessibility and cost. "Now, with Latin Curated, we are joining together to create a system that supports our most talented designers and celebrates our unique design process and point of view."
And with New York Fashion Week kicking off the twice-yearly hunt for the new and fresh, Latin America's hand-craftsmanship and culturally inspired design may just fit the bill. "Customers are demanding uniqueness, transparency, quality craftsmanship, and storytelling," Garcia says. "Latin American designers offer all of that quite naturally."
While the shop doors close at the end of September, Latin Curated will continue to introduce exciting new brands on Instagram (opens in new tab)—with ambitions for e-commerce and an expanded physical presence in the future. So as the fashion industry opens up to welcome a more diverse community and shoppers eschew soulless clothes for those with their own stories, Latin Curated seems exactly the right destination for the modern customer.
Follow Marie Claire on F (opens in new tab)acebook (opens in new tab) for the latest celeb news, beauty tips, fascinating reads, livestream video, and more.
-
Chrissy Teigen Posted a Photo of Her Breast Milk-Stained Clothes, And Fans Are Praising Her for Normalizing It
Queen Chrissy strikes again.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Jamie Lee Curtis' Reaction to Her First Oscars Nomination Is the Purest Thing You'll See This Week
Love that life for her.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Princess Eugenie's New Baby Will Allow the Royal Family to "Put Behind Them a Year of Sorrow and Conflict," Astrologer Says
All good things!
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
The 18 Best Winter Coats and Jackets for Women in 2023
Your ultimate guide to staying warm in style this winter.
By Sara Holzman
-
The 10 Best Women's Wool Sweaters in 2023
Your warmest winter essential just got that much more essential.
By Sara Holzman
-
Paris Fashion Week 2021: Our Favorite Looks
Fashion month comes to an end in the City of Lights.
By Sara Holzman
-
Our Favorite New York Fashion Week Looks of 2021
It's back, baby.
By Sara Holzman
-
The Fall 2021 Shoe Trends to Slide Into Now
Good news: Practical yet fabulous cold-weather footwear never goes out of style.
By Julia Gall
-
How to Clean White Sneakers
Keeping them fresh is easier than you think.
By Julia Gall
-
Pyer Moss Debuted Its First Ever Couture Collection
Kerby Jean-Raymond becomes the first Black American designer to show during Couture.
By Julia Gall
-
The Bathing Suit Cover-Ups We're Coveting for Summer 2022
There's one for every occasion.
By Taylor Ayers