THE COLOMBIAMODA 2024 DIARIES, PART ONE: JULY 23RD 2024

TIERRA DE NÓMADAS – ALEJANDRO CROCKER

All images of this runway show are courtesy of Inexmoda.

The first show of Colombiamoda 2024 was that of Alejandro Crocker with his latest collection Tierra de nómadas (“Land of nomads” in Spanish). This runway show was a testimonial to Crocker’s commitment to sustainability, environmental and social responsibility, under the lens of a fashion design brand. Before the show itself, there was a small but moving tribute to the Guardianes del Páramo (“Guardians of the Moorland” in Spanish), an environmental protection group with a focus on educating the public about the Chingaza moorland in Cundinamarca. In a country where 64 environmental leaders were murdered in 2023, this gesture carries tremendous meaning.

Then, Crocker’s collection, inspired by Roberto Bolaño’s cult book The wild detectives which deals with nomadic life, creativity and of youth wishing to change the world, was presented. Made entirely of upcycled materials, the collection showed an abundance of blue denim tones, along with bright reds, muted greens and off whites, as well as embroidery, patchwork, some camo prints and mostly oversized urban silhouettes. The final number of the collection was a bridal gown reinterpreted with a large light blue denim skirt, a sheer white top and a minimalist veil that covered the model’s head all around.

With this collection, Crocker contributed, from his personal point of view, to that wish of making the world a bit kinder of a place, as in Bolaño’s book, through 100% sustainable fashion that reimagines things that look disposable at first sight to turn them into something beautiful and valuable.

SERES SOMOS SOMOS SERES – INSTITUCIÓN UNIVERSITARIA SALAZAR Y HERRERA

All images of this runway show are courtesy of Inexmoda.

IUSH (one of the most famous arts universities in Medellín) held a runway show consisting of an interdisciplinary, collaborative project between students of different majors at this school, which resulted in SERES SOMOS SOMOS SERES (“Beings we are, we are beings” in Spanish). The main theme of this event were emotions such as anger, pain, joy and sadness that were explored through different garments and expressed through live music. Experimental stitching techniques, designs that pushed fashion to its limits and atypical fabrics were a recurring theme in the works exhibited on this runway.

The use of out of the box media in the creation of clothes, such as glass apliqués on black denim pants, accessories made several meters of white ropes and wooden pieces, and an extensive use of fishnets and sheer fabrics in black, white and crimson red stood out.

Furthermore, a very important statement during this event was its inclusive focus with the participation of non-normative models: plus sized, senior citizens, minors and people with disabilities walked down the runway head to head with conventional models, as a strong display of the fact that we are all involved in fashion to a certain extent, and therefore it should be equally available for everyone.

PAULA MENDOZA’S THE NEW POINT OF VIEW RELEASE PARTY

Jewelry designer Paula Mendoza held the event for her first eyewear line, aptly called The New Point of View, at her flagship store in El Poblado, Medellín. Including items with iconic names such as Cobain, Dalí, Tilda y Peggy, Mendoza’s first array into the world of eyewear makes perfect sense with her brand’s DNA: simple but fun, elegant and eye-catching at the same time, very Latin American and perfect for fashion enthusiasts who want to be on top of the latest trends in a functional, creative way. With a completely solid trajectory in her field, Paula Mendoza’s creative universe will surely continue its expansion and bring forth collections of a high relevance to the future of Colombian fashion industry.

Cobain sunglasses from the The New Point of View collection by Paula Mendoza. Image: Paula Mendoza's official Instagram (@bypaulamendoza)

The New Point of View by Paula Mendoza. Video: shot by Ela Casati.