The Argentine fashion designers who managed to shine
We Argentines have a certain tendency to admire foreign productions. This happens in many industries. And while we know that cities like Paris and London were the cradle of style, Argentine fashion designers are not far behind.
There are those who admit clothing as part of the world of the arts. There are also persistent resistances. Be that as it may, the history of fashion design is fascinating. And our country is part of it.
Who were the Argentine fashion designers who passed into posterity? And those that mark the present of our catwalks? How did they make their way into this highly competitive industry?
We do this project as a group. Support El Destape with a click here. Let's keep making history.
SUBSCRIBE TO THE UNCOVER
In this article we tell you everything about fashion made in Argentina. Before we begin, we share with you the transmission of Argentina Fashion Week 2021, so that you can soak up the national style.
Who are the Argentine fashion designers?
The list is extensive. We select for you some of the most influential names in national fashion. Do you know them all?
Adrian Brown
In addition to being one of the best-known Argentine fashion designers today, Adrián Brown is a dermatologist. He exercises both professions in parallel. Born in Dolores, province of Buenos Aires, he says he grew up surrounded by strong women who always inspired him.
Recently his name sounded a lot on the media agenda. Did you hear? The dress that Fabiola Yáñez wore on her visit to Pope Francis in May 2021 is her design.
Brown, in addition to being Catholic, admires religious images. These usually serve as inspiration for his creations. Among Argentine fashion designers, he seemed best suited for the task of dressing the first lady on this occasion. Although it was not the first.
On this occasion, he specially designed for her the black dress that later appeared in all the newspapers. The dress, which complies with all the protocols that the Church imposes, was inspired by Saint Therese. Its fabric with a rough and embossed texture (cloqué) evokes the roses that the French Carmelite was a lover of.
Benito Fernandez
Benito Fernández is perhaps the most mediatic of the Argentine fashion designers. In addition to being a dressmaker, businessman and fashion designer, he has participated in several television programs. Maybe you know him from Cutting and Confection, PH, La Jaula de la Moda or Estelita at home.
He has several haute couture collections to his credit. He is one of the favorite designers of Máxima Zorreguieta and other women of the Dutch royal family. The queen consort of the Netherlands received him more than once in her home.
Argentine designer Benito Fernández is one of Máxima Zorreguieta's favourites.
TO SHARE:Of course, he has also dressed other local celebrities, such as Valeria Mazza and Dolores Barreiro. But his designs are available to anyone who can afford it.
The brand that bears his name sells everything from sneakers to sunglasses to perfume. Also, men and boys are not left out.
Claudius Cosano
Partner of Benito Fernández in La Jaula de la Moda, Cosano is a self-taught and passionate designer. Already close to finishing his architecture degree, he discovered his true vocation almost by chance.
Working in a fashion company, he realized that he felt more comfortable between patterns and fabrics than between plans and squares. Since then, when he started making clothes for his friends, he has come a long way of more than two decades.
In 1994 he was discovered by Susana Giménez after a parade. The Argentine diva began wearing Cosano dresses on her television show. Mirtha Legrand and Moria Casán soon joined the trend and became their muses.
Currently, he dresses all kinds of celebrities, including Valeria Lynch, Wanda Nara and Leo Messi's relatives. But he is also hired by brides, quinceañeras and women who are looking for a unique design for a special occasion.
He has an exclusive atelier in the Recoleta neighborhood. There he exhibits his three lines: demi couture, bridal and haute couture.
Among Argentine fashion designers, he also stands out for having a film about his life. “Cosano, the secret life of a dress” was directed by the Levy brothers. He won awards inside and outside the country.
Evangelina Bomparola
A multifaceted woman, Bomparola studied Communication and Art History at the University, but she has dedicated herself to clothing design for more than 18 years. Her training in her field began when she was little, thanks to her grandmother who taught her to sew. Later, she worked at Hèrmes as a producer, before launching her brand.
She is the creator of the dress that Fabiola Yáñez wore at the swearing-in of President Alberto Fernández. Before that she frequently dressed her former first lady, her close friend Juliana Awada.
For example, during the G20 Summit in 2018, the wife of then President Mauricio Macri wore a Bomparola design from the premiere collection. Bomparola's relationship with the family comes from before, having been Franco Macri's partner for 8 years.
Fabiola Yáñez wore a dress by Evangelina Bomparola, a friend of Juliana Awada and ex-girlfriend of Franco Macri, at the president's oath.
TO SHARE:But diplomacy is not the only one of his scenarios for his creations. Agustina Casanova, Claudia Fontán, Carla Moure and Marcela Kloosterboer are some of the prominent figures who choose her. Currently, whoever is interested in his designs can visit his boutique on Alvear Avenue or his online store.
Grace Zito
The Argentine designer is another of those frequently chosen by former first lady Juliana Awada. During the presidency of Mauricio Macri she appeared in the newspapers frequently.
Google Images: "how to force a burp"
— 𝓜𝓸𝓵𝓵𝔂 Tue Oct 28 05:31:32 +0000 2014
It is very different from the ostentatious dresses that characterize other Argentine fashion designers. The Zito brand is particularly strong in tailoring, knits and classic silk shirts.
If there is something that defines her style, it is her detachment from trends. His garments are elegant, simple and timeless.
The opening of her boutique in 2005 was quite an event in the world of fashion. Some time ago he had positioned himself among the most outstanding Argentine fashion designers but he did not have a physical space to be visited by his clients.
Gabriel Lage
Lage is one of the Argentine fashion designers who achieved international projection. His designs are sold and displayed in Argentina as well as in Spain and Chile.
After three decades in the business, he is one of our national icons of haute couture. Although in 2019 he was nominated for the Martín Fierro de la Moda awards in the category “Best Pret A Couture Designer”.
What does this mean? We explain it to you: “haute couture” or haute couture is the term used to define fashion made by hand. These are unique and exclusive garments, made to suit the client.
“prêt'a couture”, on the other hand, is an intermediate term between “prêt-à-porter” (mass production) and “haute couture”. It is defended as the “democratization of haute couture”. Its result is dresses with a high level of sophistication and detail but produced industrially. That is, less exclusive.
The nomination received by Gabriel Lage was insulting to him. For this reason he issued a statement and decided not to appear at the awards.
This setback, however, has little to do with the success of his career. He recently dressed model Carolina "Pampita" Ardohain at her wedding.
The truth is that his designs are not new to any member of the Argentine show business. From the aforementioned Mirtha Legrand to Mariana Fabbiani, many have walked red carpets in their dresses.
Gabriel Lage is also one of those Argentine fashion designers who have had the opportunity to dress both the current and former First Lady. The pink dress that Fabiola Yáñez wore in France was praised by the European press.
Robert Plaza
The designer made headlines earlier this year due to his financial and health problems. But that is not what concerns us here. What makes Piazza one of the most influential Argentine fashion designers?
His career began at a very young age with a particular style. In 1985, at the age of 26, he opened his Maison de Haute Couture in Belgrano. From there he took off his career in the world of fashion.
It must be said that Piazza is also an actor, singer, writer and teacher. He is the founder of the Higher Institute of Design and Integral Beauty, very prestigious in the sector. Today it has subsidiaries throughout Argentina.
On the other hand, maybe the “Piazza Law” sounds familiar to you. This is a reform that was made in 2011 to article 63 of the Penal Code. What it allowed was to extend the statute of limitations for sexual abuse in childhood.
The designer was the promoter of this reform that seeks to respect the times of the victims. He worked for many years against child sexual abuse, based on his own experience.
Roberto Piazza's influence goes beyond the catwalks. He is a multifaceted Argentine character who always gives something to talk about.
Roberto Piazza promoted a reform in the criminal code for the benefit of victims of child sexual abuse.
TO SHARE:Jorge Ibanez
Jorge Ibáñez could top the list of Argentine fashion designers known inside and outside the industry. He passed away in 2014 at the age of 44 from cardiac arrest. Even so, he is always present on the catwalks of his colleagues, in one way or another.
His frequent appearance in the media, his particular charisma and his humble origins made him loved in all environments. As for style, luxury has always accompanied his creations and presentations.
His dresses were regularly worn by Mirtha Legrand and Susana Giménez. Meanwhile, he was dabbling in both haute couture and wedding dress design. In the parades, Flor de la V was his favorite model and friend.
Lucia Chain
It could be said that Lucía Chaín is the future of Argentine fashion. The 32-year-old is an advocate of sustainable fashion. With her designs and the philosophy of slow fashion, she has enchanted the international public.
Designer Lucía Chaín has charmed the international public with her slow fashion philosophy.
TO SHARE:Her work is handmade and is made with organic materials, free of pesticides and biodegradable. The sustainability and originality of her brand are combined with an efficient digital strategy.
As a result, each of her limited collections is being well received in various markets. For example: Russia, Bolivia, Germany and Japan.
Without a doubt, her commitment exceeds the vanity of the sector. Lucía Chaín is an example of how creativity can accompany and even produce positive changes.
Gino Bogani
Bogani is a legend. Decades and trends pass. He remains current and almost oblivious to seasonal fashions. At 78 years old, he radiates the same vitality as always, both his person and his creations.
Starting in the 1960s, there is no woman in Argentine high society who has not worn a Bogani. From Graciela Borges to Tini Stoessel, he has dressed them all.
Since 2020, he has been in charge of looking at Juana Viale in the television programs that he inherited from her grandmother Mirtha Legrand. This has been his main occupation since the beginning of the pandemic. He designs each piece exclusively for the driver.
That's not why he neglected Argentine brides. He continues to work in his atelier with scheduled shifts.
Laurence Adot
Laurencio Adot's long career began with a haute couture boutique. He historically dedicated himself to designing wedding dresses and haute couture, along with developing his DOT label brand.
Closer to the date he made friends with prêt-à-porter, attending to the demands of the market. In addition, he has a line of perfumes that he sells throughout the country.
In 2018 he suffered a stroke that left him with serious consequences. After months of rehabilitation, he managed to regain speech and mobility. Today he is working more intensely than ever, with an inspiring message of improvement.
conclusion
Clothing design is an art. Trends change but talent has no time or age. There are several Argentine fashion designers who showed the ability to withstand the passage of time.
Most of us don't get a chance to show off their designs. That is not why we stop admiring the work behind each creation.
Beyond fashion, Argentine divas and brides will always have the ability to dazzle us. Behind the glamor or the style, there is always a great designer.
If you are interested in Argentine creativity and its exponents, be sure to read El Destape. We have a lot of interesting content for you.
