Meet Estefania Alvarez | Founder and Creative Director at Estefania

We had the good fortune of connecting with Estefania Alvarez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Estefania, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?
One of the main pillars of our brand is to support the local women in our community and generate a social impact in the fashion industry by providing fair labor practices. At Estefania we want to create a safe space in which women from different areas of Colombia with a fashion interest are welcome to learn, grow and apply their skills into the creation of our garments. Our team core is based in respect and equality for all. We want to transmit these values through all of our pieces which have been made locally in our atelier. The uniqueness and quality of our collections is given by the talented hand of our artisans. More than a womenswear brand, we are building a community in which women find empathy, respect and support.

As well, our brand continues to support our local community through different projects. Through the pandemic we created upcycled face masks, and a percentage of the revenue from this product was to support the children from a local art school with low income and resources that was shut down during the pandemic. As well we have partnered up with different organizations to donate different materials and resources to impulse the education in the fashion industry.

Our brand goes beyond the creation of a product and a service, besides offering a personalized service and unique designs, at Estefania we have the responsibility to generate dignified employment for women and contribute to our community as well as building a conscious fashion industry.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Established in Cartagena, Colombia in 2019, Estefania is a women’s evening-wear label designed by founder and creative director Estefania Alvarez. Estefania was created with a commitment and social responsibility to our community in Cartagena. Our vision is brought to life within the four walls of our atelier, which was established with the goal of promoting, cultivating, and empowering the skills of its growing team of local female artisans. Working collaboratively as a family, our team, composed of women from local impoverished neighborhoods, help contribute to every aspect of the design process, imbuing a part of our own Colombian heritage into every piece.
We are committed to provide fair labor and production practices in our community and industry by promoting a transparent and sustainable manufacturing process. We consciously source our materials, always verifying not only their high quality but their provenance, making sure they have a minimal environmental impact.

Our brand aims to celebrate the modern Latin American woman by providing her with effortlessly feminine styles hand made with the highest level of craftsmanship and design. Our playful yet sophisticated collections look to inspire women to dress up, express their femininity, and above all, to feel authentic and confident in their own skin. Defined by a mix of voluminous silhouettes, striking colors, and soft, delicate fabrics, each collection invites women to showcase her personal sense of style and self with beautifully crafted pieces inspired by the vibrant energy and joyful spirit of the designer’s beloved hometown.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
my family, friends from college and our local community that have worked non stop for our brand.

Website: https://estefaniaofficial.com/

Instagram: @estefaniaofficial_

Facebook: Estefania Alvare

Other: TikTok @estefaniaofficial_

Image Credits
Dora Mois Kevin Smallbasch