Latin American designers continue to turn heads with their combining of the old artesian methods with the modern and bold. Below are our 5 favourite South American brands who integrate luxury with Latin American aesthetics. 

Agua Bendita was founded by two Colombian women, Catalina Álvarez and Mariana Hinestroza, who followed their passion for design. Agua Bendita produces unique swimsuits that use details, contemporary design, and handicrafts to show what Colombia is about. Their garments combine their passion for design with the original artisan work of hundreds of Colombian women.

Favourite Set: Bonnie Koharu top: £86 Bonnie Koharu bottoms: £86

2. Casa Chiqui

Founded by Colombian Chiqui de Echavarria, Casa Chiqui exhibits accessories and home furniture discovered in exotic destinations from around the world such as Bali, Morocco, and South America. The most recent collection which is designed by Chqui herself is produced by local Colombian artisans. Featuring a range of earring and bags, each piece is handcrafted by locals and unifies the global experience of the designer with the local art and soul of Colombia.

Favourite Piece: Chaquira Mini Tote: £518

3. Mercedes Salazar

Founded in 2001 by Mercedez Salazar with an exploratory line of contemporary jewellery using recovered materials such as buttons, leather, nuts, and bolts, Salazar's first collection was made. Mercedez Salazar works with local artisans of Colombia who infuse ancestral techniques into the manufacturing process.  Their iconic crochet comes from a technique from the Wayyu community of La Guajira and palm weaving from artisans of Narino. Since 2015 Mercedez Salazar has been working with prisoners in an attempt to improve their life quality and liberate them mentally. Prisoners from El Buen Pastor and La Picota are trained to learn artisanal techniques.

Favourite Piece: Feather and a Thousand Stars Necklace £235

4. Escudo

Inspired by Peru’s ancestral past, Escudo creates garments that bring us closer to the essence of the past. Using traditional textile weaving skills, each garment is woven and embroidered by local men and women in their workshop in the mountains. Using a combination of fibers, knits, embroideries, and seams - Escudo creates soulful pieces and is as devoted to design as they are committed to representing the heritage of their country.

Favourite Piece: Ribbed PERLE (left) and NAMBIA (right) dresses.

With a love for all things hand-made, specifically jewellery making, Olga Prieto started her own brand over 10 years ago after moving to Mexico in 2003. Combining her love for creativity and visuals, Prieto successfully created her fantastic jewellery designs, put together by local artisans and craftsmen.  Each piece is crafted in a purely artisanal and traditional way with processes involving brass, sheet wire, and semi-precious stones - materials which she feels make her jewels immortal creations.

Favourite Piece: Brass Ruby Stacked Ring: £148