By Camila Rua / Translated by Adriana Serrano

 

Today, April 7th, marks the exclusive opening of Universo MOLA Fashion Week at EAN University in Bogotá, Colombia. As the only sustainable fashion week in Latin America it offers a unique experience at La Galería, a shopping exhibition. There, you can discover and purchase a wide range of sustainable pieces, from accessories to household elements.  

 

On this tour, various fibers and fabrics can be found, with natural fibers like cotton and wool being the protagonists. Most brands featured on this list belong to the Southern Cone, such as Argentina and Uruguay. Both countries hold extensive expertise in textiles and wool, turning this event into the perfect opportunity to discover and treasure high-quality pieces.  

 

The Uruguayan brand Artelanasleads the pack. It is known for its crocheted pieces made with cotton and/or wool, such as pashminas, sweaters, and bags. Among the pieces to look out for is an open ruana with intricate weave patterns, a true testament to the brand’s unique blend of Latin and boho style..

Another Uruguayan brand that works with weaving is FK Textil, which uses different tools and techniques: the handloom with cotton and merino wool (the latter being one of the most valued materials for its versatility and high quality). Some of the garments produced by this brand are ruanas, scarves, and T-shirts, which are characterized by their particular weave pattern, which gives a unique texture to the pieces. One of the brand’s most functional pieces is the CRUZ T-shirt, as it can be adapted to different types of weather: warm weather as the only layer, as in the photograph, or worn with more layers in colder weather.  

Sustainable solutions: Palo Azulis an Argentinian brand that offers practical, stylish, and sustainable solutions. The brand elaborates footwear and leather goods with sustainable fabrics, natural dyes, and botanical prints. The brand makes sandals, bags, boots, and sneakers; the latter are the ideal alternative to everyday shoes, as they are made with cotton and have recycled rubber soles.  

 

The second Argentinian brand is Aymara, a brand with a timeless style. Neutral colors and flowing garments are a fundamental part of its identity, so the garments are handwoven with materials such as merino wool, hemp, and bamboo, and are inspired by the Argentinian northwest.  

Finally, the only Colombian brand in this section is Palma Roja Store. Inspired by nature, it designs and produces hoodies, T-shirts, and sweatshirts. The garments are basic, sustainably made wardrobe items; one of them is the Café Esencia hoodie, made from 380g of 100% sustainable cotton.

The garments presented are just a sample of the products from each brand that will be available at Universo MOLA Fashion Week, the only space in Latin America that brings together designers who contribute to sustainability. This event is an opportunity to initiate and deepen the love for fashion and make it more sustainable every day.