BY MAGGIE DAVIS
From bikinis on the beach in Cartagena to intricately embroidered dresses on the rooftop of the hip hotel Nine Orchard, the Colombian fashion house Agua Bendita’s journey is stitched with heritage, heart, and 700+ artisan hands. The designers Mariana “Mari” Hinestroza and Catalina “Cata” Álvarez are toasting their new collaboration with Zacapa Rum. “We share so much DNA. It’s the perfect collaboration,” Alvarez tells me. That shared DNA is about a deep connection to their Latin American roots and craftsmanship. Agua Bendita’s designs start with a feeling. “We see the green of the mountains, the beautiful flora and fauna and hear the sounds of the birds” muses Hinestroza. Their illustration team hand draws the nature-inspired design to turn into prints and embroidery, all hand-made in Colombia and driven by women who are led by tradition.
“We started in university making teeny bikinis because we wanted to go to parties in Cartagena. We wanted to dress all our friends” Álvarez says. “Now we have a dream to be number one in bikinis and ready to wear”
Agua Bendita’s strongest selling point? A truly authentic story. It’s not a marketing tactic – it’s the Agua Bendita lifestyle of South American beaches and dance parties at steamy hot spots around the globe. Both Alvarez and Hinestroza have built their sustainable brand with help from the women in the Colombian countryside. Agua Bendita empowers these women to become leaders, building better futures for their family and communities. Agua Bendita isn’t just making clothes; they’re designing a better future for Latin American artisans.
