Espacio Vogue Miami 2021
While visiting my hometown in Miami on a casual Saturday, I attended the Espacio Vogue Miami event at the Miami Design District. The four-day event was curated by Vogue and took place from September 30th, 2021 to October 3rd, 2021. The pop-up specifically included Latin American Designers in fashion, beauty, and accessories. The attendees were able to shop and buyers were able to observe and create partnerships with the designers.
Most of the designers I spoke to were from Mexico, Ecuador, Colombia, Argentina, and the Dominican Republic. I noticed that many of the Latin countries have similarities but also have distinct differences when it comes to design and culture. This event was executed perfectly as it was held in Miami—the melting pot of Latin culture—and during Hispanic Heritage Month. Check out some of my favorite brands I interacted with at the pop-up!
Fansyxvs
Sources: Personal images
Fansyxvs has caught the eye of the fashion industry as the brand has been gaining more awareness and popularity. Fansyxvs is founded by Argentinian designer Virginia Saiach who is now based in Miami. Saiach started production around 2017, and the brand gained more attention in 2020 when Zendaya wore one of the designer’s metallic chain dresses on the Nov./Dec. 2020 cover of Essence. In this dress, Zendaya paid tribute to the first black model, Donyale Luna.
The brand’s specialty includes futuristic disco-style beaded tops, wallets, purses, and acrylic and metallic chain dresses. These designs are ultra-chic, fun, and catch the attention of anyone around.
Chanklas
Sources: Personal image
Chanklas is is a shoe company founded by husband and wife Karen & Kenny. Karen, who is originally from Mexico, was inspired by the deep Mexican traditions in shoemaking. What makes Chanklas unique is the dedicated care and commitment to maintaining the art of Mexican shoemaking from her ancestors.
The owners describe the brand as combining Mexican culture and avant-garde style for a romantic and authentic feel. Each shoe has its own story as the production and design have specific techniques to perfectly fit your feet. The Chanklas (sandals) are made with chemical-free solution tanning solutions to keep the environment and wearer safe. The company believes in ethical practices in their factories such as providing safe working conditions, fair wages, and paid holidays and lunch. Chanklas is authentic, ethical, and stylish; their brand is definitely one to look into if you are in need a cute pair of sandals.
House of Bo
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House of Bō was the only cosmetic brand present at the event which made them stand out even more. House of Bō is a newly launched gender-neutral fragrance brand. The curator of the House of Bō is Bernardo Moller who is based in Miami and grew up in Mexico. Moller has a passion for fragrances and began collecting them when he was a teenager. Moller partnered with world-renowned perfumer Rodrigo Flores-Roux who is an expert in his craft.
The brand currently has four products which include Agua De Santos, La Mar, Espiritu fragrances, and a perfume primer. I got a chance to sample the fragrances and they have a rich and enticing scent. The ingredients are cruelty-free and are locally sourced from organic smallholder farmers. The bottle itself has an elegant and aesthetically pleasing design. The cap is handmade by local Mexican artisans from repurposed travertine marble and the bottle is made from recycled glass from an eco-conscious facility. To further their efforts in sustainability they also use FSC certified paper packaging. If you’re looking for a new sustainable scent to try check out House of Bō.
Ventura By Jose Ventura
Sources: Personal images
Jose Ventura is a Dominican designer who studied at Parsons School of Design and now has his own label. The brand stands for inclusivity in all areas and embracing our differences, which makes fashion an unpredictable and beautiful art form. The Ventura brand also steps in the direction of a “strong women-first mindset.”
The clothing is produced in the Dominican Republic and is all about women stepping into their power, showing authenticity, boldness, and comfort. Ventura’s latest SP22 collection symbolizes elegance, ease, confidence, and an unapologetic boss woman.
Yidios Hakim
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This brand definitely stood out to me at the pop-up, as bags always strike my interest. These bags are uniquely beautiful and not something you can find just anywhere. What makes these purses so special is the people and process behind the production.
The purses are handmade by artisans in the Middle East which represent a part of the owner’s ancestry. The crochet straps are handmade by Colombian artisans as the brand is based in the Latin country. Colombian founder Michelle Yidios Hakim hosts and writes for E! Latin America all while growing her brand and bringing a fusion of cultures to the fashion industry. You can mix and match the straps as each is differently designed which adds versatility to anyone’s closet and contributes to slow fashion movement.
La Roja By Misha
Sources: Personal images
La Roja By Misha is a Guatemala-based brand designed by Michelle Townson. The brand is extremely eco-conscious as the bags are made of recycled plastic for less polluted oceans.
The bags are handmade and woven by disabled Guatemalan artisans. Not only does the brand put in a great effort to protect the environment and create renewable products, but they also give the culture grand exposure and praise the ancestry. The woven reused plastic is sturdy and a statement piece in and of itself. La Roja also provides women with work opportunities to support their families and themselves while continuing to grow their homeland’s practice of art and design.
This pop-up event gave insight and exposure to Latin American designers and an opportunity to showcase Latin culture’s place in fashion. The fashion industry is a melting pot and about sharing each other’s differences and inspirations. This event helped consumers recognize the amount of talent that has been hidden in Latin America when it comes to luxury personal fashion. This was also the perfect time for designers to come together during Hispanic Heritage Month.
The event attracted the strong Latin community of Miami as shoppers connected and felt the vibrancy in the room. This experience shows that fashion is ever-evolving and there is always talent and awe-dropping moments around the corner.