Photo from the personal album of Colombian designer Esteban Cortázar.
Esteban Cortazar (Bogota, 1984) he became the youngest designer to debut on the New York runway when he did so at just 18 years old. This earned him the nickname 'wonder boy' (boy wonder), so he was no surprise when, in his early 20s, he took the reins of Emanuel Ungaro in Paris. Today he is part of the Council of Fashion Designers of America and is Close friend of the Kardashian clan and Rihanna, among other shining stars of the current scene.
Colombian designer Esteban Cortázar launches his first collaboration with Desigual.
The 'Glory Days' of South Beach, Miami, in the 90s (that is, the framework of his own childhood), have been his source of inspiration for his first collaboration with the firm Desigual, which goes on sale on May 20. “Around the News Café I could see how it took place the creative renaissance that made this part of Miami Beach unique at the time. A melting pot of Latin fashion, music, art and warmth with an eclectic mix of amazing people. From artists to eccentric retirees to the seething gay culture, drag queens, supermodels, iconic photographers, the nightclub scene and the amazing Latino culture.”
The vibrant spirit of South Beach in the 90s is the protagonist of the campaign.
The result is a sustainable spring-summer collection based on versatile, timeless and unisex pieces, with 90s cuts and graphic prints and patchwork, capable of making anyone smile. “A celebration of the joy of living, summer and colour, under the motto 'Every day is forever', which invites us to be reborn and to live. This collaboration between the Colombian and Desigual celebrates, as the firm itself explains, "the endless days of summer, the kisses at sunset and the spirit of youth and diversity that marked a very iconic, spontaneous and liberating time seen through the eyes of a precocious child”.
“The most stimulating thing about doing it – Cortázar tells us exclusively – has been working with beautiful, loving people with good vibes like the Desigual team and, obviously, making a collection about something personal That fills me with inspiration.” The most complicated? “Editing the collection, because more incredible pieces were made that we had to remove and that is never easy.” His favorite garment is “the 'El beso' jean, because it was the first one designed”, he confesses to us.
Image of the moodboard of the Esteban Cortázar x Desigual collection.
In addition, 'El Beso' has a very special meaning for him, since it is, precisely, a work by his father, the artist Valentino Cortázar, who has participated in this collaboration. The piece is a graphic expression of love in brushstrokes of colors cigars, created in the Miami of the time, and has become the protagonist of a large part of the collection. In addition, Esteban has played with a photographic patchwork of some images taken by Andy Sweet during the 70's in South Beach.
One of the garments from the capsule collection.
COLOR, LOVE AND "GOOD VIBE"
“I think that as for everyone, The pandemic has not been easy, it has been an important moment of change and reinvention in many ways. Everything is changing and will continue to change, hopefully for the best! he tells us he. Since Desigual is a very, very positive firm, we ask you to take something positive out of these very difficult months. "Yes!!! –He exclaims about his meeting point with the Spanish firm–. That's what we have in common. We did everything with love and good vibes! It's easier to work like this, something that is sometimes rare in this industry."
Esteban declares himself an enthusiastic traveler. “Cartagena and Ibiza are destinations that are part of my heart today and always. Ibiza is where my parents got married and where I plan to live as soon as possible and Cartagena is my favorite city in Colombia and where my parents live now. It is the magic between the Caribbean and the Mediterranean”.
The South Beach spirit invades an optimistic and sunny collection. In the photo, Esteban Cortázar as a child, part of the 'moodboard'.
Has he changed his concept of travel due to the pandemic? “Well yes, I think everyone! I focus more on spending more time in the places I go or not traveling just for traveling, but living experiences in depth.
Of his hometown he recalls: “Bogotá is where I was born and it is a great city. A bit too chaotic to live but I love to visit it and be with my friends and family. What I love and miss the most is eating myself an ajiaco (typical soups) made by my grandmother, may she rest in peace. I also love going to Andrés Carne de Res.”
“I have lived in Paris for twelve years but that is changing. Miami is in my heart and I always feel at home when I'm there. For me there is something of the light there that no other place has. When I'm in Miami the first thing for me is to go to the beach, eat at Joe's Stone Crab and enjoy some Cuban cupcakes”.
One of the prints from the Esteban Cortázar x Desigual collection, based on a work by his father.