More than 25,000 attendees at the Fashion District + Inclusion Runway in the Valley: models with disabilities and Vogue

More than 1 billion pesos in tourism revenue, as well as over 25,000 visitors to fashion shows, showrooms, business conferences, and workshops specializing in design, production, and marketing, is the balance achieved by Distrito Moda in Cali. The event takes place from June 25th to June 28th.

This year, more than 100 brands and designers from Latin American countries participated, including Johana Rubiano, Aldrín Ayuso, and Sebastián Grey. The "Cali is Where You Should Be" runway, presented by the Mayor's Office, brought together Teresa Esencia, Ana Carolina Valencia, and Ivory Atelier.

The inaugural runway show was a result of a partnership with Vogue Latin America, featuring Jade Woman and Virgilio Madina. The "Sacrosanto" dress code was enforced. Ariadna Gutiérrez was the host.

At the same time, Afro-descendant talents from the Pacific stood out with handmade collections, with an artisanal and sustainable approach, but also LGBTIQ+ models, with victims of the conflict, people with disabilities, and Indigenous people.

Two iconic designers also participated in the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary of El Palmar in Palmira: Agatha Ruiz de la Prada from Spain and Lina Cantillo from Colombia.

At the same time, there were discussions: Eilé X Miss Celánea with Kika Rocha, from People en español, and José Forteza, editor of Condé Nast.

New promising designers and others with long careers arrived, such as Alejandro Mavre, María Cabrera and Danfive.

On the second day, the Pacific Center shopping mall in Cali was decked out to welcome two international designers. Rosarito (Argentina) and Raúl Briceño (Guatemala) arrived in Cali to grace the city's fourth fashion week with their collections.

According to Carlos Henao, manager of Pacific Center, the uniqueness of the space chosen for the show is due to "the international and unconventional trend of creating a unique atmosphere that generates an immersive experience for attendees, aided by innovative technology, in the style of the world's most recent fashion shows." Interactive screens and smart lighting technology were featured.

On June 28th, Love by Zuleima, Palazzi, Anarchy, Miguel Becerra, Judy Hazbún, and other design and fashion icons arrived. The show closed with a flourish, hosted by the international catwalk show of Aló magazine, featuring collections by José Zafra, Alejandro Crocker, and Guio Di Colombia.

According to projections from SITUR Valle del Cauca, this event increased hotel occupancy by up to 60%.

According to the Valle del Cauca Tourism Secretariat, tourism revenues for the Moda District reached more than 1 billion pesos, benefiting key sectors such as gastronomy, transportation, commerce, and cultural services. Additionally, business projections were between 2 and 4 million dollars.

The Valle del Pacífico Events Center has hosted the Inclusion Runway, an initiative that since 2016 has promoted diversity, equal opportunities, and the talent of vulnerable populations through fashion and art.

The runway, led by Jimena Toro, a social worker from Valle del Cauca, Asodamas, and Manuela Álvarez, featured models with disabilities, Afro-Colombian, Indigenous, and LGBTQ+ communities, and artisanal groups.

This year, the catwalk brought together delegations from five invited departments, including Nariño, Boyacá, Cundinamarca, Atlántico, and, of course, Valle del Cauca, in a vibrant display that highlights the identity, color, and resilience of the communities.

“The Inclusion Runway was a must-see experience. It's not just about fashion; it's about social transformation, real opportunities, and showing the country that inclusion is also fashionable,” said the Valle del Cauca social worker.

According to Toro, since its inception, this platform has been a symbol of hope, highlighting the talents of people with disabilities, victims of conflict, Afro-descendant communities, Indigenous communities, and the LGBTIQ+ population.

"I'm proud to be part of this project, which I fell in love with because of its level of inclusion, which has so much to offer us, not only in Colombia, but throughout the world. Being part of this truly means a lot, because I was not only able to model, but also to showcase my story and demonstrate that there are no barriers in the department," said Alejandra Villa, a model from the Inclusion Catwalk.

Correspondent for EL TIEMPO