Latinas Have Always Been Fashion Trendsetters: These 5 Rising Fashion Brands Are Proof

Maybe you’ve come across some of the latest fashion trends that resemble your mom’s closet scrolling through TikTok or at New York Fashion Week and the VMA’s, or even your favorite tia’s yearbook photos or your older cousins' outfits from back in the day. It’s not surprising that many of today’s trends are inspired by different generations of Latinas from different neighborhoods and regions. In reality, some of these fashion looks are actually cultural statements, and for many Latinas, it's an expression of identity and a merging of their multicultural lifestyle.

For most of us, it is a visible validation of self-acceptance and a symbol of rebelling against what is deemed as “trendy” or “acceptable” in the mainstream world.

Intentionally, many Latina-owned brands and designers are curating collections and pieces that not only fit their personal aesthetics but also represent our cultura and the trends they saw their own families and Latina idols wearing growing up. For many of us, it’s more than just a superficial form of expression; it's our legacy and history in a world where some of us are still struggling with identity issues due to colonization, displacement, and erasure.

While the mainstream fashion world may not always give the BIPOC community the proper credit for their contributions to the industry, many emerging designers of color are breaking this status quo and celebrating their own identity regardless if it’s on trend or not. They are doing this while also creating their own opportunities to showcase their art through photoshoots, marketing campaigns, fashion shows, and collaborating with real people from the community to express themselves.

The reality is that Latinas have always been fashion trendsetters and fashion is embedded in our cultura just like our food, music, and customs. Fashion starlets like Rita Moreno, Maria Felix, Bianca Jagger, and Celia Cruz were all trailblazers in an era where most Latinas were not seen as fashion icons. However, these stylish pioneers set the tone for others to follow in their footsteps. Fast forward to the ’90s and 2000’s, fashion icons like Thalia, Paulina Rubio, Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes, Selena, Tatiana Ali, Jennifer Lopez, and Salma Hayek are all responsible for many trends still happening today.

Even though our cultura goes beyond the clothes we wear and what we buy, it's important to validate and express our individuality. Fashion is a form of radical self-acceptance because whether we are on trend or not, we aren’t going anywhere.

Check out these rising fashion brands making their own mark on the fashion world and representing our cultura from head to toe.