Celebrating the theme, ‘Somos’ (‘We Are’), the 35th edition of Colombia's premier fashion event, Colombiamoda concluded successfully in Medellín. Attended bymore than 600 brands, the event connected over 12,000 buyers from 40 countries with more than 70,000 visitors, according to the event’s organiser, Inexmoda,
Inexmoda described this year’s Colombiamoda as a tribute to the last 35 years of Colombian fashion, highlighting the unique factors that make the country's textile industry globally competitive. A new feature in this year’s event was the City Circuit methodology, which showcased different parts of Medellín beyond the traditional Plaza Mayor venue, emphasising fashion's transformative power.
Sustainability was a focal point this year, with the Circular Fashion Pavilion showcasing brands committed to eco-friendly practices, from material selection to garment production, as highlighted by PolitécnicoGrancolombiano University.
The event kicked off on July 22 with designer NicolásRivero’s runway show. Titled ‘Proceso’ (Process), Rivero’s collection showcased 30 garments made from natural fibers like linen, silk, alpaca wool, cotton, and banana fiber stitches, emphasising material exploration and textile craftsmanship.
Notable among the daily runways was Beatriz Camacho’s show. In collaboration with Bronzini, an affordable clothing brand sold in Éxito supermarkets, Camacho presented ‘Despertarse en La Habana’ (To Awaken in Havana) to 1,200 attendees. Despite economic challenges, Camacho emphasised the importance of democratic and inclusive fashion, using eco-friendly fibers even for mass-produced items.
Peruvian designer Sandra Weil, making her Colombiamoda debut, closed the event. Founded in Mexico City, her eponymous brand has grown over 12 years, as reported by El Colombiano.
Known as Colombia’s fashion capital, Medellínhas a rich textile history dating back to Coltejer’s establishment in 1907. The city is a pivotal economic hub, with the textile sector exporting $8,974 billion pesos ($2.23 million) in 2018, accounting for 42 per cent of Colombia’s total textile exports. According to Inexmoda’s Fashion Observatory February 2024 report, Medellín represented 9.9 per cent of the national textile market in 2023, with companies exporting textiles worth $53.6 millionlast year.
