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Latin American Fashion on the Rise: What Went Down at the First-Ever Latin American Fashion Awards

BY Mayra Peralta | November 6, 2023

BY Mayra Peralta
November 6, 2023

Latin America continues to rise as a global fashion hub. Over the weekend, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, hosted the first-ever Latin American Fashion Awards. The event, founded by Constanza Etro and Silvia Argüello, gathered top fashion professionals and celebrities to recognize the region’s blossoming industry.

What are the Latin American Fashion Awards?

Introduced as a biennial award ceremony, the Latin American Fashion Awards celebrate Latin American and diasporic talent. Honoring the region’s rich heritage and diversity, the event aims to become a global platform for promoting Latin American fashion.

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For the first-ever edition, the Latin American Fashion Awards recognized winners in 14 categories, including Designer of the Year and Brand of the Year. The awardees were selected by a panel of prestigious international figures led by designer Haider Ackermann.

The jury was also composed of ELLE USA Editor-in-Chief Nina García; Vogue Mexico and Latin America’s editor Karla Martínez de Salas; journalist Anna Dello Russo; i-D’s fashion editor Carlos Nazario, model Indya Moore, creative director Kean Etro, cinematographer Bruno Aveillan, Fondazione Sozzani’s creative director Sara Sozzani Maino, entrepreneur Carmen Busquets, and Vogue Brazil’s fashion director Vívian Sotocórno, among others.

A fashion-filled weekend

The Latin American Fashion Award celebrations took place over three days. On November 2, attendants reunited at the Restaurante Mare at the Puntacana Resort & Club. The next day, the event hosted an exclusive opening night cocktail at Oscar de la Renta’s private villa. The party was attended by fashion and entertainment heavyweights such as Leslie Grace, Iván de Pineda, Valentina Ferrer, Haider Ackermann, Anna Dello Russo, Indya Moore, Kean Etro, Carmen Busquets, Willy Chavarria, Raúl Lopez, Elena Velez and more.

On November 4, the award ceremony reunited more than 300 guests at the iconic Anfiteatro de Altos de Chavón at Casa de Campo. Following the dress code “Fashion Attitude,” celebrities and industry insiders walked the red carpet in their best fits.

The awards

The award ceremony, cohosted by Dominican singer Leslie Grace and Argentinian TV personality Iván de Pineda, kicked off with an opening number by Leslie Grace. One of the night’s highlights was the presentation of the Accessory Brand of the Year Award by Anna Dello Russo. The trophy went to Mexican designer Daniella Villegas, who was recognized for her one-of-a-kind statement jewelry inspired by nature motifs.

To wrap up the night, Nina García awarded Raúl López, founder of Luar, the Brand of the Year prize. Meanwhile, Haider Ackermann presented the award for Designer of the Year to Willy Chavarria. Closing the event on a high note, Colombian singer and Latin Fashion Icon of the Year, J Balvin, performed a medley of his hit singles.