The fashion world descended upon the historic Altos de Chavón Amphitheater in La Romana, Dominican Republic, for a weekend celebrating the Latin American Fashion Awards. The biannual ceremony returned for its second edition with Donatella Versace as president of the jury, which also included Karla Martinez de Salas, Head of Editorial Content at Vogue Latin America; Vivian Sotocorno, Fashion Director of Vogue Brazil; Steven Kolb, president and CEO of the CFDA; Carlo Capasa, President of the Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana; Alessia Glaviano, head of Global PhotoVogue; entrepreneur Carmen Busquets; the designer Gabriela Hearst; and Anna Dello Russo among others. “I have always championed the next generation of design talent,” said Versace earlier this year. “It has never been more important to support and encourage our global creative community, and I am honored to be President of the Latin American Fashion Awards.”
The ceremony was hosted by the singer and actress Becky G, and the actor Luis Gerardo Méndez, and featured performances from Luísa Sonza and Elena Rose. Awards were handed out in 17 categories that ran the gamut from designers to other creatives including photographers, hair stylists, and makeup artists, with Maluma receiving this year’s Fashion Icon of the Year Award.
The inaugural Carmen Busquets Couture Prize was awarded to Luar’s Raúl Lopez, who also received a $50,000 grant and a professional mentorship. Elsewhere, Patricio Campillo took home the Emerging Designer of the Year Award for his namesake label Campillo, which has been staging shows during NYFW for the last three Septembers, and Willy Chavarria won the Designer of the Year award, which was presented by Mrs. Versace herself. See below for a list of all the winners.
Fashion Icon of the Year
Maluma
Designer of the Year
Willy Chavarria, Willy Chavarria
Emerging Designer of the Year
Patricio Campillo, Campillo
Carmen Busquets Couture Prize
Raul Lopez, Luar
Brand of the Year
Agua by Agua Bedita
Model of the Year
Paloma Elsesser
Photographer of the Year
Renell Medrano
Hair
Makeup Artist of the Year
Yadim Carranza
Fashion Stylist of the Year
Maika Mano
Emerging Fashion Photographer of the Year
Silvana Trevale
Fashion Impact Leader of the Year
Helena Gualinga
Fashion Influencer of the Year
Laura Tobon
Responsible Project of the Year
The New Denim Project
Artisanal Project of the Year
J. Salinas
Fashion Film of the Year
Laura Citarella
Accessories Brand of the Year
Sauer
Dominican Republic Local Star of the Year
Juanel Hernandez
