Zacapa Rum is continuing its partnership with the Latin American Fashion Summit for the second year in a row.
The Guatemalan premium aged rum label is continuing its partnership with the summit to honor Colombian luxury brand Agua Bendita’s cofounders Mariana Hinestroza and Catalina Álvarez with the Visionary of the Year award.
According to Zacapa Rum, Agua Bendita was chosen for its “commitment to empowering communities,” highlighting the luxury label’s work with rural Colombian artisans for its handcrafted pieces.
Last year, Zacapa Rum’s inaugural Visionary of the Year award went to Luar designer Raul Lopez, who produced a collaboration with the spirits brand in April. The Visionary of the Year award is said to celebrate Latin American designers who “redefine fashion with a focus on heritage, craftsmanship and community upliftment,” according to Zacapa Rum.
Hinestroza and Álvarez established Agua Bendita in 2003 when the cofounders created swimsuits from leftover fabrics from local clothing factories in their hometown of Medellin. They’ve grown the business over the years, including with the establishment of its first luxury collection in 2018, called Agua by Agua Bendita.
Agua Bendita sells its hand-embroidered pieces to more than 70 countries and has embarked on collaborations with Gucci’s Vault program. The brand also launched a resale platform in the U.S. last year.
The brand partners with U.S. wholesalers like Net-a-porter, Moda Operandi, Mytheresa and Bergdorf Goodman. Agua Bendita also hosted its first pop-up store in the U.S. earlier this year in Dallas.
