The Río Magdalena, Colombia’s majestic river, flows northward by the nation’s western half, carrying centuries of historical past, from pre-Columbian cultures to Spanish colonization. Named after Mary Magdalene, it stays a strong image of the nation’s spirit and continuity. Johanna Ortiz drew from this legacy for her spring assortment, known as Magdalena, an homage to her Colombian roots.
Her most tangible gesture of assist for Colombia’s heritage lies in her ongoing dedication to native craftsmanship and artisanal tradition. At her Cali atelier—based to make use of and empower regional expertise—round 480 artisans, 78% of them ladies, deliver her designs to life. The atelier additionally homes a college the place conventional methods are taught and preserved. Whereas silks and jerseys are sourced from Italy, each piece is completely crafted in-house, grounding Ortiz’s imaginative and prescient within the authenticity of Colombian handwork.
This season, her prints echoed the luxurious textures of tropical landscapes. Earthy, sun-warmed tones outlined sporty cropped jackets worn over her signature lengthy, fluid attire cinched with high-waisted corset belts woven from pure fibers; languid silhouettes have been typically layered below matching shawls or shimmering with sequined panels. Ortiz additionally infused private reminiscences into the styling with items from her personal assortment of mochila luggage—conventional basket designs meticulously handmade by the Kankuamo group of the Sierra Nevada. “I actually relate to the river at this level in my life,” stated Ortiz. “Generally we maintain circling again, pushing ourselves slightly too laborious. However proper now, I’m studying to let issues circulation. This assortment displays that second—dwelling sooner or later at a time, permitting every new day to deliver its personal journey and magic.”
