The soulful notes of a live flamenco performance filled the air at Johanna Ortiz’s presentation, setting the tone for an emotional show. “I wanted to reconnect with my roots and fully embrace my Hispanic heritage,” she said backstage. “This collection truly comes from my heart.” Ortiz infused her designs with energy and authenticity. The vibrancy of colors and prints, the sensual flow of ruffles, the curving, fluid silhouettes, the bohemian spirit—it all came together in an expressive collection, where each piece seemed to reflect her feisty, warm, engaging personality.
“Colors came to me with an urgency this season,” she said. “I didn’t want to hold back.” Bookend by white and black looks, the collection radiated a rich spectrum of sunset hues, earthy terracottas, lush emerald greens, deep reds, and ocean blues. The prints were equally vivid, drawing loose inspiration from the geometry of Moorish architecture. “It’s time to embrace color, to embrace joy. We’re fortunate to work in fashion while the world feels so messy, and in times like these we need to listen to what our hearts and souls are telling us,” she said. Beyond her distinct vision as a designer, Ortiz is an entrepreneur who has grown a sustainable business dedicated to empowering artisan women’s communities in her native Colombia. Kudos to the consistency of her purpose, steadfast commitment and humanity, utterly relevant today more than ever.