Colombiamoda Broke the Status Quo. Now It’s the Primary Launchpad for Latino Fashion in the U.S.
The event gave underrepresented voices a place to be seen. Now it's helping a new generation of founders be heard and succeed.
By Joan Wallace.
Whenever we think of fashion, our minds go to the usual suspects: Giorgio Armani, Karl Lagerfeld, or Alexander McQueen. However, the Latino community has had a long tradition of fashion geniuses. Think Carolina Herrera, Oscar de la Renta, or more contemporary ones like Willy Chavarria, Alejandra Alonso Rojas, and Johanna Hernandez.
But nowadays, the U.S. fashion industry is among the most difficult to break into, especially for Latinos. That’s why Colombiamoda Miami is changing the game for designers who want to showcase their art in the American fashion scene.
Since its beginnings in Medellin in 1990, they have broken the status quo, embracing diversity and providing a platform for creatives from all walks of life, including members of the LGBTQ+ community. Designers like Esteban Cortazar and Hernan Zajar graced their runways, carving out their own paths in Latin America before entering the U.S. market, where success did not come overnight.
Years have passed, and the platform has become a front-row witness to the evolution of countless fashion businesses, helping nurture their talent, creativity, and ambition.
According to Sebastian Diez, President of Inexmoda, “The first edition of Colombiamoda Miami exceeded our expectations. Seeing brands interact with buyers, media, and industry leaders was incredibly rewarding. We came back home inspired and determined to do even more to support the international growth of Colombian fashion.”
For the last three years, the platform’s focus has been on showcasing brands and making them shine over three days, exposing their creative strength to diverse audiences in Miami’s up-and-coming arts district: Wynwood.
“We wanted to create a platform where talent, creativity, and business opportunities could come together in one of the most important gateways to the U.S. market,” Diez explained.
From Local to Global
This year, 35 brands took center stage at the event. Among them was La Oculta, which participated in last year’s edition and has successfully expanded its international reach, building a strong, growing customer base in the United States and Africa.
The brand is led by Sofía and Catalina, two Colombian creatives and cousins from the coffee-growing region of Pereira. United by a shared passion for fashion, they have transformed a family legacy—one passed down through generations—into a contemporary brand that celebrates Colombian craftsmanship and design.
Their story reflects a broader trend seen throughout the event. Many brands, including accessory labels, handbag manufacturers, and footwear brands, have leveraged this platform as a launchpad for growth. What starts as a local undertaking can quickly become an international opportunity, exposing designers to new audiences, business contacts, and markets worldwide.
How You Can Be Part Of It
For the Colombiamoda Miami exhibition, the application process begins on Colombiamoda.com. Since participation is selective, you need to submit your brand portfolio for either showroom participation or the Colombiamoda Selection pop-up. The program specializes in categories like resort wear, swimwear, casual and urban fashion, accessories, handbags, footwear, and jewelry, giving emerging and established brands an opportunity to connect with international buyers and expand their global reach.
“Our goal is to accompany brands throughout their internationalization journey, helping them develop the competitive advantages that make Colombian fashion unique and relevant around the world,” Diez shared.
Growing Beyond Borders
The platform has been an incubator for the next generation of fashion entrepreneurs and for Miami’s Latino community.
The event also contributes to the economic development of Miami’s Latino community by creating new business opportunities, strengthening trade connections, and attracting international buyers and entrepreneurs to the city.
As a link between Latin America and the United States, Miami offers the ideal platform for Colombian and Latin American brands to expand their presence, drive sales, and enter into strategic partnerships. The platform supports commerce and strengthens Miami’s role as a leading hub for Latin American entrepreneurship and creativity in the U.S.