In the first part of our four-part series on fashion designers’ best-kept travel secrets—and how these locations have influenced their work—we talk to Mariana Hinestroza and Catalina Álvarez about the summer holiday in Cartagena, Colombia, that started their brand
If you’re looking for inspiration for your next travel destination, there is an unlikely source you’ve probably not even thought about: fashion designers. It makes sense, designers are always on the lookout for inspiration for their next collection and adventures are full opportunities that spark inspiration. In fact, many designer brands have been built on their founders’ insatiable wanderlust or the love they have for the place they call home. From the most secluded coves are in Turkey to the most untouched beaches in Thailand, fashion designers have been inspired by some of the world’s most beautiful locations.
In our four-part series, these globe-trotting designers spill their best-kept travel secrets to Tatler and tell us how these destinations have form the basis of their collections. In part one, we talk to Agua by Agua Bendita founders Mariana Hinestroza and Catalina Álvarez about the trip to Cartagena, Colombia that motivated them to start their brand.
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Twenty years ago, best friends Hinestroza and Álvarez went on a summer holiday to Cartagena, and were so moved by the flora and fauna there that when they returned home they started collecting leftover fabrics and sewing them on their grandmothers’ sewing machines. Today, the Colombian duo’s creations, which showcase the incredible work of their home country’s female artisans, are beloved by celebrities like Jennifer Lopez and Hailey Bieber.
What are your favourite places to go for a holiday in Colombia?
Álvarez: Cartagena, where our brand was born. We used to go there every summer to enjoy the beach. Besides beautiful Caribbean beaches, it [also] captivates visitors with its rich history and well-preserved colonial architecture. Everyone who has plans to visit Colombia should go there.
Hinestroza: Besides Cartagena, my favourite is Medellín, our hometown. I spend my December holidays there with family and friends [almost every year]. It’s has the perfect blend of modernity and natural beauty and it’s known as the City of Eternal Spring for its pleasant weather year-round. It’s a welcoming destination with innovative urban projects and world-class gastronomy that will leave you with cherished memories.
When is the best time to go?
Álvarez: [It used to be that] the best time to visit Cartagena was in summer and during the holidays, but now it has become a very tourist-friendly city all through the year. You can go and have a good time with your loved ones any day of the year.
