We hope you caught our blogpost, Celebrating Hispanic & Latino Contributions to Fashion – The Newbies, where we showcased the new crop of Hispanic fashion designers that rely upon their native heritage for inspiration. This week, we continue our celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, but this time the focus will be on those iconic Hispanic-American brands that have already secured their place in the global fashion community.
Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15-October 15) is a celebration of the Hispanic and Latino community’s contributions to the United States and to the world at large.
In contrast to the Hispanic newbie designers, the Hispanic Icon designers seem to rely less on their native heritage and more on Western sources of inspiration. Could they fear ‘appropriation backlash’, or have they just moved on from their roots? Whatever the reason, the newbies are definitely tapping into a new surge of patriotism. Either way, Hispanic designers continue to be an important part of the global world of fashion.
Oscar de la Renta – Santo Domingo, Dominica Republic
Oscar de la Renta used influences from his tenure at European houses Balenciaga, Lanvin & Balmain. (Image Credit: 303magazine.com – Oscar de la Renta’s last collection 2014)
For example, Oscar de la Renta relied heavily on his European couture background and less from his native home, Santa Domingo, to create his American luxury brand. Though he claimed to have been inspired by Spain, bullfighting, nature, art history and diverse cultures, he was most inspired by the women who wore his clothes.
Carolina Herrera – Caracas, Venezuela
Examples of the “Herrera silhouette” by Carolina Herrera (Image Credit Beautykiss.com)
With the exception of the “Herrera silhouette” (a fitted bodice with a full skirt often cinched at the waist with a belt inspired by the traditional dresses of South America), Carolina Herrera is most known for elegant, timeless, feminine clothes and less about her native Caracas.
Maria Cornejo – Chile
Zero + Maria Cornejo (Image Credit: ZeroMariaCornejo.com)
Chilean-born Maria Cornejo moved to England as a political refugee with her family in 1973. Having spent years in England and Paris, she moved to New York City in 1996. Her work is guided, not by her Chilean roots, but with a focus on creating sustainable, wearable luxury for real women.
Narcisco Rodriquez – first generation Cuban-American
Narcisco Rodriquez- (Image Credit: NarciscoRodriquez.com)
Born and raised in Newark, New Jersey to first generation Cuban immigrants, Narcisco Rodriquez claims that his Latin heritage has always informed the ethos of his work with a celebration of a strong feminine spirit and the inherent beauty of the female body.
Manolo Blahnik – Santa Cruz de la Palma, in the Canary Islands (Spain)
Assorted Manolo Blahnik footwear (Image Credit: ManoloBlahnik.com)
Blahnik was born in Santa Cruz de la Palma, in the Canary Islands (Spain), to a Czech father and Spanish mother. He is most known for his signature line of high-end women’s footwear, using luxurious, decorative and opulent additions such as chains, feathers, furs, fringe, grommets, ribbons, rings, silk brocade, lace and his famous buckle shoe the Hangisi.
Gabriela Hearst – Santa Isabel in Paysandu, Uruguay
Gabriela Hearst’s collection 2024 (Image Credit: TheCut.com)
Growing up on her family’s 17,000-acre ranch in Paysandu, Paraguay, Gabriela Hearst took over the operations of the ranch in 2015 and created a brand that reflects “luxury with a conscience”. For example, she created jackets and coats lined with special silver fabric that prevent cell phone radiation from reaching women’s reproductive organs. Hearst was Creative Director at Chloé from 2020 – 2023 and the first female Latin American designer to take the helm of a Paris fashion house. She is a true champion of using low-impact textiles, sustainable production and recycled packaging.
Victor Glemaud – Haiti
Victor Glemaud Collection 2023 (Image Credit: VictorGlemaud.com)
Victor Glemaud was born in Haiti but moved to the US when he was three. In 2006, he launched his eponymous designer collection of statement knitwear, designed for all people, genders, races, sizes, and personalities. His career took several detours, but in 2016 he launched his eponymous collection and eventually found his way back to fashion. He won the CFDA new-comer award in 2017 and in 2020 established IN THE BLK, a collective of Black creatives who work together to promote Black-owned fashion brands.
