Meet 5 Colombian designers who are shining in global fashion

Colombian fashion has transcended borders, becoming an authentic expression of the country's creativity, culture, and diversity. Over the past decades, influential designers have taken artisanal traditions, colors, and the richness of Colombian roots to the world's most important fashion runways. From Milan, Paris, and New York to leading digital platforms, these talents have positioned themselves as international references, proving that fashion made in Colombia is synonymous with creativity, quality, and innovation. In this article, we present five designers who shine in international fashion.

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Silvia Tcherassi: an icon of Colombian fashion

Silvia Tcherassi is one of the most emblematic names in Colombian fashion internationally. Born in Barranquilla, she began her career in interior design before moving into fashion, consolidating her eponymous brand that now spans prêt-à-porter, bridal wear, and accessories. With a style that blends classic elegance, sculptural volumes, and prints inspired by the Colombian Caribbean, Tcherassi has brought her designs to the world's most prestigious fashion runways, including Milan, Paris, and New York. In 2004, her cultural contribution was recognized with the Order of Arts and Letters of France, one of the highest honors in the arts.

In addition to her successful fashion career, Tcherassi has expanded her brand with boutiques in Colombia, Miami, Spain, and Italy, as well as the renowned Tcherassi Hotel + Spa in Cartagena. Silvia Tcherassi embodies the evolution of Colombian fashion and has demonstrated that creativity and identity can transcend borders in the world of textile art design. She was also the first Latin American designer officially invited to Milan Fashion Week in 2003.

Amelia Toro: elegance and avant-garde in international fashion

Amelia Toro, born in Bogotá, has built a solid career in international fashion after studying at the Rhode Island School of Design and Parsons in New York. For over 20 years, she has presented her collections on runways in New York, Paris, Japan, and Medellín, bringing contemporary femininity through minimalist designs that combine Asian influences with subtle draping. Additionally, her garments are distributed in more than 17 countries, positioning her as a reference for Colombian luxury abroad.

As a pioneer in cutting-edge design, Amelia Toro integrates the ancestral textile art of indigenous communities into each collection, recognizing the cultural and artisanal value of these fabrics. Her brand also stands out for its social commitment, and thanks to her ethical and sustainable approach, she has received international recognition such as the Women Together award granted by the United Nations.

Hernán Zajar: color, tradition, and avant-garde of Colombian fashion

Hernán Zajar, born in Santa Cruz de Mompox, has brought the colonial essence of his hometown and his Colombian creative talent to fashion, showcasing in his designs multicolored palettes, filigree, and techniques such as crochet and macramé. His collections, presented at events such as Colombiamoda, Cali Exposhow, and international runways in Italy, England, the United States, Mexico, and Latin America, celebrate Caribbean identity and regional folklore, integrating prints of balconies and Mompox architecture directly into his fabrics.

In addition to dressing candidates for the National Beauty Contest, the Colombian designer has created designs for personalities such as Jennifer Lopez, Ivanka Trump, Claudia Schiffer, and Joan Collins. His commitment to artisanal techniques and Mompox communities earned him the Medal of Honor for Merit from the Government of Bolívar in 2024 during the Mompox Jazz Festival, recognizing his cultural and social contribution in elevating Colombian fashion with authenticity and historical narrative.

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Haider Ackermann: global talent with roots in international Colombian fashion

This Colombian-French designer has built an outstanding career in international Colombian fashion, emerging from his debut in Paris in 2001 with a collection that combined sophistication and practicality, which quickly earned him a reputation in the European scene. Haider Ackermann has established himself as one of the most influential names in contemporary prêt-à-porter and has dressed celebrities such as Tilda Swinton, Timothée Chalamet, Penélope Cruz, and Victoria Beckham, elevating global fashion prestige while staying connected to his Colombian heritage.

As one of the great fashion references, Ackermann has taken on high-profile creative roles, including positions at Berluti, Canada Goose, and since 2024, at Tom Ford, where he debuted at Paris Fashion Week in 2025 with a highly anticipated collection. He has also been a special guest designer for haute couture pieces at Jean Paul Gaultier, maintaining a style that blends poetic austerity and rebellious spirit, solidifying himself as an innovative and avant-garde figure in the industry.

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Esteban Cortázar: the “Wonder Boy” who took Colombian fashion to the big leagues

Esteban Cortázar became the youngest designer to present a collection at New York Fashion Week at 18, earning the nickname “Wonder Boy.” Trained at the Design and Architecture Senior High School in Miami, he launched his eponymous brand in 2006 after serving as creative director of Emanuel Ungaro in Paris at the age of 22. His garments, with fashion references that merge sculpted lines, transparencies, and vibrant prints, have been worn by celebrities such as Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, Cate Blanchett, and Rihanna.

Currently, he is one of the major figures in international Colombian fashion, with a strong presence on runways in Paris, New York, and platforms such as Net-a-Porter, Farfetch, and MatchesFashion. In 2024, he launched his 'Donde Esteban' line, with prints created alongside his father and an inclusive, unisex focus. With this fresh, cultural proposal, Esteban Cortázar establishes himself as a creative, innovative, and authentic voice in global design.

Finally, these Colombian designers have also been present throughout their careers in key national events such as Bogotá Fashion Week and Colombiamoda, platforms that promote and showcase local talent. Silvia Tcherassi opened the 2019 edition of Bogotá Fashion Week with her "Poeticus" collection. Amelia Toro opened the second edition of the same event in 2016 with a collection interpreting Wayúu culture in a contemporary context. Furthermore, Colombiamoda, considered the most important fashion fair in Latin America, has been a stage for designers like Tcherassi since the early days of her career.