by Founded in 2018 by Estefanía Lacayo and Samantha Tams, the Latin American Fashion Summit has become an important global platform for promoting Latin American fashion, wellness and lifestyle brands. The seventh edition of the event took place November 2-4 at the Moore Building in Miami, bringing together designers, founders, retailers, media and industry leaders for three days of tailored programming aimed at increasing visibility and market access for Latin American creative companies.
This year’s summit focused on topics shaping the future of fashion, including cross-border retail, artificial intelligence, sustainability, wellness and brand storytelling. The program featured influential speakers from Moda Operandi, Shopbop, Revolve, Nordstrom, The Webster and Kering, as well as established and emerging talent from Latin America. Panel discussions, workshops and fireside chats covered topics such as monetizing influence, building dream brands, rethinking leadership and exploring the legacy of famous designers like Naeem Khan.
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LAFS also expanded its creative collaborations. Disney hosted a panel discussion on storytelling and cultural influence in Latin America, complemented by a museum exhibit and student meeting. Natura Bissé contributed wellness masterclasses and treatments, highlighting the role of self-care in the creative community. Zacapa Rum joined as an official partner, reinforcing the summit’s efforts to unite luxury and culture in the region.
As WWD previously reported, Patricia Bonaldi, founder and creative director of PatBo, was honored with this year’s Visionary of the Year award during the event. The recognition was part of Zacapa’s continued partnership with LAFS and marks the third consecutive year the Guatemalan rum brand has honored leaders in Latin American design.
The “Pitch to LAFS” competition was the summit’s flagship event, introducing emerging Latin American brands to industry executives. This year’s winners included Weise from Bolivia for Designer of the Year, La Torres from Argentina for Accessories Designer of the Year and Supernaturae from Mexico for Social Impact. Prizes included mentorship, a $10,000 scholarship, a booth at the Coterie trade show, and advertising opportunities with Moda Operandi and ShopMy.
A public pop-up showcased more than 35 Latin American brands and facilitated direct dialogue between designers, consumers and industry players. Sponsors and partners supporting the event included Miami Design District, The Moore Miami, Kering and others.
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