Bolivia Fashion Week 2019: Highlights from Day 1

Fashion Week has finally arrived in Bolivia, and the first day featured nine presentations, showcasing a diverse range of styles. From everyday fashion and conceptual catwalks to jewelry and traditional attire for cholitas, the event highlighted the country's rich fashion landscape. One of the most commendable aspects was the broad spectrum of racial representation among the models.

Ericka Luz

Designer Ericka Luz from La Paz presented a runway show featuring women of various body types. Her collection emphasized inclusivity, celebrating diverse silhouettes with thoughtfully designed pieces.

Rosita Hurtado

Bolivian designer Rosita Hurtado opened Bolivia Fashion Week with her Retroactiva collection by Ixoye. The collection was comprehensive, offering designs for women, men, and children. She utilized a vibrant color palette, primarily featuring primary colors. The accessories, including headpieces, bold earrings, necklaces, and tullmas (traditional hair accessories worn by cholitas), perfectly complemented the outfits. The prints played with textures resembling Andean aguayos and watercolor effects, even depicting the face of the devil—an emblematic figure in the traditional Diablada dance.

Bolivian Wool

This brand, known for its 100% alpaca wool products, showcased hand-knitted garments crafted by Bolivian artisans. The collection featured scarves, loose cardigans, and sweaters with simple yet practical designs suitable for everyday wear. Blending traditional materials with modern trends, these garments proved to be a stylish and versatile addition to any wardrobe.

Agatha Ruiz de la Prada Girls

Spanish designer Agatha Ruiz de la Prada made a vibrant entrance with two presentations. The first featured young models taking over the runway in her signature colorful, playful designs, exuding joy and energy.

Walisuma

Walisuma presented a collection for both men and women, merging modern aesthetics with traditional Bolivian influences. The collection featured hand-knitted pieces and naturally dyed textiles, reinforcing the brand’s commitment to high-quality artisanal craftsmanship. The level of finishing was among the best of the day, with impeccable styling that created a cohesive visual narrative.

Giovanni Lo Presti

Swiss designer Giovanni Lo Presti showcased his Garden of Eden collection, characterized by black-and-white designs with striking color accents. His use of textures and prints echoed elements of nature, aligning with the theme of a small paradise.

EPSON

As one of the event’s sponsors, EPSON participated in a workshop on fashion trends and technological innovations addressing climate change. Acknowledging the fashion industry as the second most polluting sector globally, the event explored how sublimation printing could offer a more sustainable alternative. Designer Pamela Alarcón presented a collection featuring ten vivid paintings, with blue, red, and orange dominating the color scheme, showcasing the versatility and precision of sublimation techniques.

Joel Reyes

Bringing a touch of the Dominican Republic to La Paz, designer Joel Reyes presented his Sol y Sal collection for Summer 2020. The collection featured fluid, dynamic designs that enhanced the textures and prints of the fabrics. His mastery of fine finishes and diverse fabric choices added depth and drama to the pieces.

Ericka Luz

In a second presentation, Ericka Luz introduced Colors of My Bolivia, a collection dedicated to cholitas from La Paz. The intricate craftsmanship of each outfit stood out, with richly embroidered blankets featuring elaborate macramé fringe details. The models carried handbags complementing their dresses and wore large, traditional La Paz chola jewelry. Notably, the collection featured models with body types reflective of the women who traditionally wear this attire, ensuring cultural appreciation rather than appropriation.

Gems by Gloria

The Gems by Gloria brand presented a line of elegant jewelry blending classic and contemporary elements. Using silver and ametrine—a gemstone known as "Bolivianite"—the collection featured rings, earrings, tie clips, necklaces, bracelets, pendants, brooches, cufflinks, and even tiaras. The brilliance of the semi-precious stones captivated the audience.

Carlos Sierra

Venezuelan designer Carlos Sierra presented his Resort 2020 collection, offering a range of casual and semi-formal menswear in bright colors, black, and white. The collection unfolded in three phases: light suits, vibrant ensembles, and black outfits with camouflage print details. Some looks were complemented by subtly patterned shirts and stylish fedoras.

Agatha Ruiz de la Prada

Closing the show with flair, Agatha Ruiz de la Prada returned with a collection embodying her signature colorful and cheerful aesthetic. Models playfully twirled and blew kisses to the audience, enhancing the lively atmosphere. Loose-fitting garments paired with flat shoes reinforced a sense of comfort and freedom, making for a fun and energetic finale.

Bolivia Fashion Week 2019 Day 1 celebrated diversity, craftsmanship, and innovation, setting the stage for an exciting event that honored both contemporary and traditional elements in fashion.