By Tirzah Rezende
Universo MOLA Fashion Week 2024, the only sustainable fashion week in Latin America, organized by Universo MOLA, a program of the Entre Soles y Lunas Foundation, was a complete success for the third consecutive year. Held at the Hotel del Lago, in Punta del Este, Uruguay, this event has left an indelible mark on the fashion world, reaffirming a firm commitment to more responsible practices with the planet and a deeper identity of our culture.
During the three-day event (March 15-17), Universo MOLA Fashion Week marked a before and after in the history of regenerative fashion throughout the region. More than just an exhibition, it became a vibrant stage for inspiring debates and innovative proposals in the textile field.
Among the participating brands are Alkimia Textil (Argentina), AloTANA (Uruguay), Ananda Roman (Chile), Arami (Argentina), Artelanas (Argentina), Sustainable Fashion Association of Peru, Calandrelli (Argentina), Campestre Chic (Uruguay) , Christy Bolívar (Colombia), D' mi Sangre (Chile), Entrenudos (Chile), Escobar Zuluaga (Colombia), Gabriela Serrano (Chile), Maria Lana (Argentina), La Vestiduria (Uruguay), Juana Montoya (Argentina), Maura Marti (Paraguay), Mawo (Argentina), Munay (Uruguay), Murila (Mexico), Nicteel (Guatemala), Oni (Uruguay), Paolina Cattorini (Argentina), Red World Creative (Peru), Tejedoras del Sol (Colombia) , Tan Basicx (Colombia), Safari (Uruguay), Southwool (Uruguay), Silvana Sutar (Chile), Tenaz (Uruguay), Universidad Tadeo Lozano (Colombia), Versura (Colombia) and Ziruma (Colombia).
With a wide variety of activities, the event offered parades, conferences, opportunity rounds, workshops, exhibitions and more, becoming a perfect occasion for Latin American brands to come together, discussing ideas and solutions, sharing the same challenges, and reaching conclusions. about how to move forward.
The Opportunities Round made it possible to connect with people, organizations, companies, and other actors in the sustainable fashion sector at the Latin American level, thus expanding the network of contacts. The MOLA Challenge, a sustainable fashion production and editorial course by Galantti Fashion School, was an inspiring workshop aimed at the creative minds of the future. The shows were a spectacle out of this world, while the conferences provided the opportunity to stay updated on the ever-evolving universe of fashion.
"It is necessary to consider our culture, our countries, our diversity, how we manifest our identity, what resources we have and what is the current situation of Latin American fashion,"highlighted Doris Helena Rojas, Director of the Entre Soles y Lunas Foundation, at the inauguration. of the event, with an impressive view of Laguna del Sauce.
The collections presented during the event highlighted responsible approaches to design, production, and consumption, showing how fashion can combine aesthetics and ethics by prioritizing the use of recycled materials and low-impact manufacturing techniques. In addition, the event acted as a platform for various stakeholders to emphasize the importance of education in promoting a shift in consciousness towards a more sustainable future for the planet.
«These three days of UMFW have been important, it is the first time I have participated. It's comforting to realize that, from different places, we are experiencing the same problems. When we go outside, we notice we are experiencing the same challenges: small teams, little support, and little visibility. Part of knowing each other among peers is knowing that something is being done, joining forces,"emphasizes Ananda Román, a designer from Chile.
In conclusion, UMFW 2024 has proven to be a fundamental event in promoting sustainable fashion in Latin America, offering a platform for innovation, knowledge exchange, and building a more conscious and responsible future.
