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R elcome to the first edition of Praise! The launch

of this magazine has could not have come at abet-

ter time. The world in which we live is changing rapidly, and whi-

le fashion is eternal, and diamonds are forever, we in the industry

must learn to adapt to changing situations. My belief is that fashion,

just like any other art, is a tool for expression. The social issues of

today’s world are at the forefront of discussion, and go hand in

hand with fashion.

With spring and summer around the corner, it is impossi-

ble not to get some inpiration from here and there. for the tropi-

cana editorial the main inspiration is cuba and its tropical beauty, as

well as one of the main trend we see this season florals.

Diego Rivera is one of the greatest Mexican painters

of all time. His Calla Lilies paintings have been an inspiration

for me in this project.

Global warming has become an even greater and more

pressing problem in the past few years. The global and all-reaching

effects of the phenomenon have made me realise the colossal im-

pact this issue plays in our lives. I hope that the editorial inspired by

this issue, which concentrates of the causes and effects of global

warming, will open your eyes in the same way as it has opened mine.

As a Columbian, it is with pride and pleasure that I can

introduce to you the very talented Estaban Cortazar. Mr Cortazar is

one of Colombia’s most notable designers, who from an early age

all he wanted to do was ‘sketch dresses and fashion all day.’ Also

I would love to introduce Hernan Zajar, a legend in Colombian

fashion. In fashion, seasons often signify change; with spring just

around the corner, we look forward to lovely weather and the who-

lly new and creative wardrobe that awaits us. Without any further

delay, here are some of the key trends that will make spring/sum-

mer 2012 a truly memorable one.

All the best,

Monica Arenas

Editor-in-Chief

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MARCH 2012

ESTEBAN CORTAZAR 5Personal life

TREND PAGES Mermaid 9Scales 11Coral 13

THE LONG AND LONELY ROAD 15

TREND PAGES Chich Housewife 21 Rock & Roll 23Gatsby 25

GLOBAL WARMING 27

TREND PAGESTrack & Field 35

MARCH 2012

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ESTEBAN CORTAZAR e all know (I HOPE!) Chanel, Dior,

Armani, and Prada, but how many

of us have ever heard of Esteban

Cortazar? Fashion is not static; it moves

forward and takes the best from the past

whilst adding a touch of modernity. It is

this unique mixture of past, present, and

future which makes fashion such an exci-

ting form of art. It is the duty of every fas-

hion editor and journalist, to actively pro-

mote young talent in this field we all love.

Esteban Cortazar is a notable Colombian

fashion designer born 17 May 1984. He was

born in Bogotá but raised in Miami, Florida.

He is mostly known for being the youngest

designer to present at Miami International

Fashion Week.

His career started at age 13, when

he showed his sketches to Todd Oldham,

president of L-7, who later on would beco-

me his mentor. In New York, for Oldham’s

fashion show, Esteban met the director of

fashion for Bloomingdale’s, Kal Rutterns-

tein and showed him his sketches.

In his youth, he said that his passion in life was to

do nothing but sketch dresses

all day.

Esteban Cortazar for Ungaro.

Last collection Esteban Cortazar for Ungaro.

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Cortazar turned heads at age 23,

when he became creative director for Ema-

nuel Ungaro and again at age 29, when he

left the million dollar company because he

refused to work alongside Lindsay Lohan.

He really enjoyed creating clothes for the

well-respected brand, but felt that bringing

in such celebrity would only cause the Ema-

nuel Ungaro brand to be known for her pre-

sence and not for the talent itself.

After leaving Emanuel Ungaro, Cortazar was floating around, but then decided to move back to his home,

Colombia. Why move back to Colombia after so much time and experience in Paris?, you might ask.

Simple: he always felt like doing it, but never had a chance. Colombia is very new addition the fashion world, but has

a lot to offer and will to continue to do so. With very few options of where to shop and a smaller than average luxury

market, Esteban is meeting the challenge by delivery low cost and high quality fashion to Colombian fashionistas.

As he returns home after traveling the world and even more important after having the experience most

people only wish for, Cortazar had to get hands on with Colombia and its fashion.

At the beginning of 2010, just like Zac Posen did for Target, Alexander McQueen for Samsónite, Stella McCartney

for Adidas and Karl Lagerfield and Jimmy Choo did for H&M, Cortazar is collaborating with retail store, Exito.

Exito used to be a simple supermarket with cheap clothes but now it has gained enough prestige around Colombia

to be even able to have a spot in Colombiamoda and this is thanks to collaborations such as this one.

Why move back to Colombia after so much time and experience in Paris?, you might ask.

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Wanting to focus on the beauty of Colom-

bian women, this new collection offers highly de-

signed apparel that has been mass-produced at a re-

latively low price. Women around the world will be

exposed to the luxury and exclusivity of perfectly cuts

designs made especially for them, however only peo-

ple who lived in four of the main cities of Colombia

can get their hands on the products. Unfortunately for

any fans of Cortazar outside of that region it might be

our hands to get them.

In his mind, each collection tells a unique

story. From a luxurious piece of haute couture to an

outfit based on jeans and a white t-shirt, they are all

linked in the long storyboard of this extremely talen-

ted designer.

Yes, comparing the Colombian to the French

styles may sound strange, but that is the main point of

this new phase. Colombian woman have a different

body; they are sensual and have the Latin body that

people all over the world discuss and admire. These

differences in culture are what make Esteban’s work

so challenging – combining classic European haute

couture with the warmth of Latin American cultu-

re. Recently, Esteban Cortazar received a prize called

(Colombiano de Corazón) Colombian at Heart for

bringing a very positive image to the country. Colom-

bia has been through a lot and being recognized at

such level and in the US and in Europe, is an honour.

Additionally, his Colombian heritage and birth means

he feels he has to give something back to a country of beautiful women who has

inspired him so much.

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CORal

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EVERYDAYAN

WONDERFULKIND OF

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SCALES

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UNDERSEA

THE

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TRACK & FIELD

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TRACK & FIELDSUPER

GIRL!!!

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F l o r a l

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CLOSETOO

SUNTO THE

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Photographer Michelle Turriani

Stylist: Monica Arenas

Model:Alia Hawes

Assistant Celine Boyeaux

Hat: Primark Top: TopshopSkirt: PrimarkShoes: TopshopBracelet: Forever 21

Jacket: PrimarkTop: Forever21Pants: TopshopNecklace: Forever 21

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Top: TopshopShirt: TopshopPants: TopshopShoes: TopshopNecklace: Forever 21

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Top: TopshopShirt: Foerver 21Shorts: TopshopShoes: TopshopBracelet: Forever 21Necklace: H&m, Forever 21.

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HERNAN

ZAJAR orn in Mompox, Colombia,

with Spanish roots and Leba-

nese ancestry. Hernan Zajar’s

childhood was well spent between Gaitas,

Porros and cumbias, typical music from

the north of Colombia which has a festive

rhythm, making everyone dance the moment

they hear it. Growing up among this kind of

music is a great way to enjoy your life.

From a young age Hernán Zajar re-

vealed a clear feeling for fashion, but at first

he studied Tourism Management in Saint

Paul del Mar, near Barcelona, and worked

for some time in hotels in the Caribbean.

Later he studied fashion design in Colom-

bia and took some courses in Rome and

New York. When he returned to Colombia

he opened a restaurant, where the main at-

traction were the fashion shows he used to

organize in there, and that was the start of

his fashion career.

It’s been 10 years since Zajar star-

ted and he now occupies a prominent place

in the world of fashion design in Colom-

bia. His career grew very fast, and has been

constantly rising, and with great acceptance

in the entertainment world, as most of the

dresses we see on Colombian television are

the product of talent and perseverance of

this designer.

His designs have not only been worn by Colombians but

Among the high class of Colombia this gowns are also worn and

the people who can’t afford don’t stop a second of dreaming of ha-

ving one, and who wouldn’t dream of wearing them, they probably

make you feel like a queen.

His experience and his undeniable talent have led him to be

a teacher and supervisor in the last semesters of the school of De-

sign Arturo Tejada in Bogota, which is one of the most recognize

fashion schools in Colombia, and how could it not be if they have

such a remarkable teacher, from who to learn constantly.

B

even people as famous as Claudia Schiffer, the Playmate Samantha Torres, actress Joan Collins and Ivana Trump

have had the pleasure of wearing them.

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One of his trademarks was the delicate filigree presented

in Colombia Moda in 2004 which caused a great impact for the de-

licacy, elegance and dedication to develop each garment.

This long and meritorious experience has been recognized

on several occasions with various awards such as the magazine’s

Vanities, which Zajar obtained in 1994 and 1995 and more recently

the signature Johnny Walker, allowed him to travel to Europe and

participate in a workshop with Valentino.

In his work, it is specially shown the sensuality of the Latin women,

whether with outstanding creations or gala gowns. In his designs it

predominate the asymmetrical cut. In his varied line you can find a

wide range of colors for every occasion, from the red to the most

subtle gradations of pastel shades. He has the right dress for every

type of woman, and this is one of the qualities for which we all wish

to have his dresses in our closets.

Hernan Zajar presented his Spring-Summer 2012 Collec-

tion ‘Birds of Paradise’. The prints in this collection were a com-

bination of exotic plants and animals contrasting in beautiful chi-

ffones, satins, jacquards and filled with bright colours to the extent

that it really made you feel as if you were inside the amazon. This

ornamental style is also reflected in the handcrafted applications on

the garments and accessories made from natural fibers, the luxu-

rious jewelry also achieved with the best organic materials and pre-

Columbian pieces that bring life to the new paradise.

Zajar has a way of including his roots and this is something

very unique. He doesn’t forget where he is from and he doesn’t forget

that all his inspiration can be found around him. Most Latin designers

forget the beauty of their countries and try to find inspiration so-

mewhere else which in my opinion never turns out as good as one of

zajar’s pieces. Although zajar takes inspiration from plants or women

from Colombia, he makes his garments in such a luxurious way that

if you find the story behind every garment you can just imagine it as

a paradise, and this is what he does, make heaven in a dress.

Zajar’s style has no boundaries, never neglects the inspirational source of

tropical splendor.

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s a Colombian, I get excited whenever I see someone fa-

mous making my country proud. It feels like they are ma-

king me proud too, even though I don’t even know them

and probably I will never get the chance to actually get to

know them. Colombians tend to be very patriotic; after all we have

to believe in our country and its potential since not many around

the world do.

Colombia doesn’t have the best reputation around the

world. Unless you’ve been in the country and experience the war-

mth and the beauty of the people, it seems hard for people to fit in

their mind that Colombia is more than violence of poverty. Every

time someone is recognize outside the country we cry, we party and

we feel proud as if they were our sons.

There’s not one designer that has been on the spot for a

long time. Of course there have been a couple of them that come

and go but we are still waiting upon the great designer that makes

the difference. Silvia Tcherassi who was probably the first Colombia

designer to proved to the world that Colom-

bia has talent. She showed her collections in

Milan in 2004, fashion people in Colombia

could not be happier, and the whole country

even if they didn’t actually understand what

it meant for a designer to show their collec-

tions in Milan fashion week, they all were so

proud and happy. However this didn’t last

very long, she showed two collections in

Milan and after that she basically disappea-

red from Milan. Recently she worked with

Exito a chain of supermarkets in Colombia

which creates collaboration with big desig-

ners to make affordable clothes.

Another great star that didn’t last

forever was Esteban Cortazar, who at just

13 was able to show his collection in Mia-

mi Fashion Week. He had his own label

and after years of hard work he was na-

med creative director of ‘Emanuel Ungaro’.

Although Cortazar wasn’t very recognized

in Colombia since he grew up in Miami, this

new step definitely got him into the radar

of the country. From that moment every

boy wanted to be him and every girl wan-

ted to be dressed by him. After a couple of

years he was fired from Ungaro and all of

his dreams went to the floor and with them

all the dreams from people that have been

his number one fan. As well as Tscherasi,

he came back to Colombia and collabora-

ted with Exito. Ever since, there hasn’t been

much about him but soon he is launching

his new collection, hopefully this one is

going to stay for a longer period of time.

HAIDER ACKERMANN

A

Although Ackermann is a total stranger for most

people in Colombia and even in the industry, he is one of

the most famous designers at the moment. And how is

he related to Colombian Designers? You might be won-

dering. Haider Ackermann was actually born in Bogota,

Colombia, but was adopted by a Belgium family.

However now all eyes are on Ackermann, because we

want someone we can be proud of even if he is not Co-

lombian, after all I do not believe someone is from where

they were born, but mostly from where they grew up.

Ackermann who has been working hard, slowly

but steady has achieved what most people only dream of.

He is such a great influence in the fashion world that Karl

Lagerfeld once said Ackermann would be the perfect fit

for Chanel when he leaves. We all know what this means,

Now that all our great designers disappeared our eyes are focus on

Haider Ackermann.

the moment Lagerfeld says something as important

as this, well Ackermann basically becomes the golden

boy. After all fully Colombian or not fully Colombia,

if he is going to be the director of Chanel we might

as well count him as Colombia and take credit for

creating such an amazing designer.

When you look at him, he seems so humble

he could definitely pass for a Colombia; most of us

are just that way. Even on top of the world we always

remember where we came from. I am sure this is not

the case of Ackermann but right now we can come

up to any conclusions just to feel proud of someone

as big as him.

We just wish him the best, not because he has

Colombian DNA but because his work is impressive

and therefore worthy of getting as far as he can go.

Hopefully this time he won’t end up collaborating for

Exito like every Colombian designer had to do when

their moment of fame finished.

Photographer: Monica Arenas

Stylist: Monica Arenas

Assistant: Constanza Grosso

Model: Juliana Mahecha

Make up: Fabian Chacon

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This pageDress: ZaraVest: ZaraShoes: Bossi Necklace: Constanza Grosso

Next PageShirt: ZaraNecklace: Feria

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This pageShirt: Zara TRFVest: ZaraSkirt: Zara Necklace: Forever 21Bracelets: Constanza Grosso

Last PageShirt: ZaraShorts: zara

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GLOBAL WARMING

Photographer: Michele Turriani

Stylist: Monica Arenas

Asistant: Celine Boyeaux

Fashion might not make it to next season.

GLOBAL WARMING

Shoes: Forever 21Clutch: Foerver 21

lutch: Primemark

Necklace: New Look

This page: Shoes: Belle Beaux

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Next page: Chanel No 19.Necklace: Joyeria Bogota. Bangels: Flee Market