By Camila Rua / Translated by Adriana Serrano
Latin America’s only sustainable fashion week, Universo MOLA Fashion Week, is just around the corner. The five-day event will take place in Bogotá from April 7 to 11, and one of the highlighted activities attendees can enjoy is La Galería, a shopping experience featuring sustainable Latin American brands.
Exploring the different proposals from Latin brands will be an opportunity to find inspiration, hear stories from various corners of the continent, and shop consciously. Some of the jewelry and leather goods brands on our wishlist—ones we can’t miss—include TENAZ By Andrea Mesa, Sofía Hegel, Velasco de Gayo, Zamia y Alma dos Mares.
The first, TENAZ By Andrea Mesais an Uruguayan brand specializing in leather bags and accessories crafted by artisans using sustainable production methods. Their pieces combine functionality with uniqueness. One standout example is the Tote Bag Pelo: its timeless color and pattern, along with a strap that wraps around its structure to change its shape, make it the perfect piece for those seeking durability with a unique touch. At the same time, the brand offers a more classic tote bag, with traditional leather color and texture, designed to endure the ups and downs of daily life.
A brand catering to all tastes and needs is Zamia, which collaborates with different designers to create jewelry collections. Their catalog offers a diverse range of pieces that capture the essence of the 27 designers they have worked with while integrating 4.0 technology with Colombian design and craftsmanship. One of their most recent collections was in collaboration with Liz de la Cruz, featuring unique pieces in both production and design. Her jewelry is made by immortalizing natural objects—such as flowers, leaves, branches, and fruits—in eco-friendly silver or gold-plated bronze. Colombia’s national flower, the orchid, takes center stage in this collection, giving life to special pieces that could easily become the most treasured items in our wardrobes.
Another moment of creative convergence to witness at La Galería during Universo Mola Fashion Week is the collection by Sofía Hegell, created in collaboration with Guatemalan artist Juan Marco. Their inspiration was Carlos Mérida mural, leading to a powerful fusion of art and visual expression.
The fourth brand, Velasco de Gayo, is Colombian and honors the ancestral craftsmanship of Boyacá through slow fashion and designer pieces. While the brand primarily focuses on clothing, one of its latest launches includes bags that combine textile and weaving techniques with leather craftsmanship. The result is the Tula Polaa stylish piece perfect for the office, initially designed as a laptop case with a front pocket. What makes it even more special is the crochet weaving adorning the back.
Lastly, Alma dos Maresis a jewelry brand that designs and creates with fish scales—a material often discarded despite its abundance in nature. This brand offers pieces that bring the soul of the sea wherever you go. They produce three types of accessories: tiaras, necklaces, and earrings. The final piece on our wishlist belongs to the last category: a pair of earrings from the Coral Vidacollection, whose design resembles a jellyfish.
The gathering of these jewelry and leather goods brands—along with the beauty of their pieces from different Latin American countries—will be on display for five days. A crucial part of Universo Mola Fashion Week is not only exploring these unique pieces but also enjoying fashion shows, workshops, and various panel discussions. So, if you love fashion and dream of a more sustainable and fair industry, this is the event for you.
