By Natalie Cederbaum.
For the first time in history, on November 4th, 2023, in the Dominican Republic, the Latin American Fashion Awards will be held, marking the inauguration of the first-ever fashion awards in Latin America. This groundbreaking international initiative aims to celebrate and showcase the talent within the Latin American fashion industry.
In the inaugural edition of this event, 13 categories will be awarded, including the Artisan Project and Responsible Project of the Year. Among the nominees for these prestigious awards, three brands affiliated with MOLA Hub, the network of sustainable fashion industry players in Latin American, are being recognized. These brands are supported by the Universo MOLA program, which is run by the Foundation Entre Soles y Lunas. MOLA Hub provides a platform for other brands, designers, suppliers, artisans, stores and professionals to enhance their services and products, as well as increase their visibility.
The Artisan Project category is intended to recognize those who value cultural heritage, empower their communities, promote handmade crafts, and preserve ancestral techniques. Manos del Uruguay is part of this award. As a non-profit organization, they have been creating employment opportunities for women artisans in rural areas of Uruguay since 1968. These artisans skillfully craft pieces using locally sourced raw materials such as wood, wool, mate, leather, ceramics and guampa, thereby enriching cultural identity. 
Manos del Uruguay campaign.
Image taken from the Instagram of Manos del Uruguay.
While the previous award celebrates craftsmanship and heritage, the Responsible Project of the Year category recognizes companies that have made a significant positive impact on the environment. It is crucial to acknowledge and highlight those companies that prioritize and actively work towards conserving natural resources and preserving the richness of the region. In this particular edition, two firms affiliated with MOLA Hub are competing for this esteemed recognition.
One of those is 12NA (Docena), a design studio specializing in upcycling. Although, at the beginning, this brand was exclusively dedicated to the sale of reused clothing, nowadays, it works as a comprehensive platform that covers projects that include clothes and objects design, environmental facilities, mentorships, workshops, and audiovisual productions related to both material and spiritual recycling.
12NA (Docena) design.
Image taken from the 12NA website.
Also, nominated and already qualified as a finalist, Lucía Chain. A genderless Argentine apparel brand that makes handmade garments from textiles of natural, vegetal, and local origin. In addition, it is committed to sustainability by generating biodegradable pieces that use natural dyes, such as onion peel, recovered items, and zero-waste.
Lucía Chain design.
Image taken from Lucía Chain’s Instagram
Undoubtedly, the existence of awards, such as the Latin American Fashion Awards, shows that the value of sustainable fashion and the effort involved are essential today. Not only the cultural diversity and Latin American richness are celebrated, but it also promotes innovation and the desire to work for a better world. At the same time, it is a great honor for MOLA Hub to support such prestigious projects through its growth and visibility system, providing the necessary support for each actor in the fashion industry to develop and consolidate in a successful and fair way.
