L'OFFICIEL&nbsp;celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month by honoring the industry figures whose contributions ascended American fashion on the global stage.&nbsp;

Beginning September 15 through October 15, 2021, we commemorate the major historical events, the vast achievements, and the rich cultural contributions that shape the Latinx community in the United States for Hispanic Heritage Month. The annual commemoration was first observed in 1968 which began as a week-long observation and was later expanded to a 30-day celebration period enacted into law on August 17, 1988. Additionally, the date on which the month-long celebration period begins is of profound significance as it coincides with five Independence Day Celebrations: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. All five countries became independent of Spain on September 15, 1821.&nbsp;
Throughout the years, the contributions of the <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/travel-living/latin-american-restaurant-soho-her-name-was-carmen-food-travel" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Latinx</a> community in the United States have grown profoundly as members continue to showcase their heritage on the global stage through cultural ingenuity. Within the realm of fashion, Latinx designers have established a name for themselves with critically acclaimed collections through the decades. In 1973 during the Battle of Versaille, a fashion fundraising initiative for the restoration of the Palace of Versaille spearheaded by American publicist Eleanor Lambert, Dominican designer <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/oscar-de-la-renta-wedding-dress-bridal-fashion-kennedy-clinton" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Oscar de la Renta</a> represented the United States on the world stage that put American fashion on the map. The memorable blue satin Hangisi pumps worn by fashion's favorite on-screen columnist <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/reformation-recreates-carrie-bradshaw-sex-and-the-city-dior-newspaper-dress" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Carrie Bradshaw</a>, played by <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/sarah-jessica-parker-favorite-sex-and-the-city-fashion" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sarah Jessica Parker</a>, were designed by Spanish designer <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/pop-culture/manolo-blahnik-favorite-classic-films" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Manolo Blahnik</a> which still remains the label's best-selling shoe today. Venezuelan-born and <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/fabiana-hebert-choiss-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Fashion Institute of Technology</a> alum <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/carolina-herrera-fall-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Carolina Herrera</a> is renowned for dressing numerous American First Ladies throughout history from <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/history-behind-jackie-kennedy-pink-suit-chanel-jfk" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jackie Kennedy Onassis</a> to <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/politics-culture/michelle-obama-sergio-hudson-inauguration-joe-biden" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Michelle Obama</a>.
As we observe Hispanic Heritage Month, L'OFFICIEL breaks down&nbsp;the Latinx industry icons that are making waves in the fashion world today. We honor the modern figures who continue to exhibit Latinx talent through their artistry from <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion-week/gabriela-hearst-chloe-debut-fall-winter-2021-sustainability" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Gabriela Hearst</a> to Fernando Garcia who have accomplished far beyond taking helms at major fashion houses and have established namesake labels upholding the principles of their art and the traditions of their heritage.&nbsp;

Uruguayan ready-to-wear and accesories designer <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/gabriela-hearst-pre-fall-2020-ballerinas" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Gabriela Hearst</a> founded her epynomous label in the fall of 2015 and skyrocketed to fame with collections that have been comparable to French luxury house <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/hermes-men-spring-summer-2022-fashion-show-collection-photos" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Herm&egrave;s</a>. In 2019, <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/phoebe-philo-studios-lvmh-new-brand-celine" target="_blank" rel="noopener">LVMH</a> Luxury Ventures invested in Hearst's vision; expanding her brand globally. Recently in December of 2020, Hearst was named creative director of <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/chloe-resort-2022-gabriela-hearst-upcycling" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chlo&eacute;</a> being the first woman of Hispanic heritage to take helm at the French fashion house.&nbsp;

Gabriela Hearst

Cuban-American designer Lazaro Hernandez from Miami, Florida launched <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion-week/every-look-proenza-schouler-spring-summer-2022-runway" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Proenza Schouler</a> in 2002 alongside Jack McCollough who he met at <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/parsons-mfa-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Parsons School of Design</a> and worked on his senior thesis with. The collaborative project later became the brand's first collection that launched them into stardom as it was purchased by <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/barneys-bankruptcy-news-new-york-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Barneys New York</a> in 2003. That same year, Hernandez and McCollough won the CFDA Swarovski award for Ready to Wear and later winning several more awards for accessories and womenswear.

Lazaro Hernandez, Proenza Schouler

Dominican-raised designer Fernando Garcia founded <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/monse-spring-summer-2022-behind-the-scenes-photos" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Monse</a> in 2015 alongside Laura Kim who is also Garcia's co-creative director for <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion-week/oscar-de-la-renta-fall-2020-runway-show-photography" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Oscar de la Renta</a>. Garcia moved to New York after graduating from the University of Notre Dame and rose to the ranks within six years at Oscar de la Renta after working as an intern. The duo quickly gained momentum after launching Monse and have since been sold at major retailers such as <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/art/artsy-vanguard-initiative-bergdorf-goodman-dior" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bergdorf Goodman,</a> Selfridges, Net-a-Porter, and Moda Operandi.

Fernando Garcia, Monse & Oscar de la Renta

Colombian-American designer Johanna Ortiz encapsulates the vibrant spirit of her Latin American heritage through her collections. Born in California, Ortiz graduated from Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale in Florida with honors and returned to Colombia to launch her namesake label in 2001. In 2014, Ortiz's collection Colombiamoda in Medellin and Circulo de la Moda in Bogota that established her work in the industry&mdash; taking the brand globally the following year and is currently being sold on the world's biggest luxury retailers such as <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/travel-living/bergdorf-goodman-nyc-macys-holiday-christmas-window-displays-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bergdorf Goodman</a>, <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/prada-outdoor-collection-coast-pop-up-summer-2021-beach-fashion" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Neiman Marcus</a>, and <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/net-a-porter-celebrates-20-years" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Net-a-Porter</a>.

Johanna Ortiz

Chilean-American designer Maria Cornejo moved to New York along with her family in 1996 from England when they were political refugees from Chile. Cornejo founded her brand Zero + Maria Cornejo in 1998 in Lower Manhattan taking a sustainable approach to responsible design and its long-term environmental impact by making use of upcycled materials. In 2017, Cornejo was awarded one of the top three prizes in the CFDA + Lexus Fashion Initiative and in 2019 she was been appointed to the CFDA Board of Directors&nbsp;by <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion-week/tom-ford-spring-summer-2022-runway-nyfw" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tom Ford</a>.&nbsp;

Maria Cornejo, Zero + Maria Cornejo

Born in 1961 in Newark, New Jersey, Cuban-American designer Narciso Rodriguez made headlines in 1996 when he dressed New York It-girl and former <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/calvin-klein-collection-pride-2021" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Calvin Klein</a> co-woker <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/film-tv/john-kennedy-jr-carolyn-bessette-american-love-story-tv-show-ryan-murphy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Carolyn Bessette </a>on her intimate wedding to John F. Kennedy Jr. Brought up in a conservative Catholic household, Rodriguez defied the contraints held against him to pursue fashion by studying at Parsons School of Design and training under <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/female-founded-fashion-houses-coco-chanel-chloe-lanvin" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Donna Karan</a> for Anne Klein. In 2001, Rodriguez launched his namesake label and later won several CFDA awards including Womenswear Designer of the Year award in 2009.

Narciso Rodriguez

Madrid-born designer Alejandra Alonso Rojas has become one of the industry's most promising designers of our generation. Rojas launched her epynomous label in 2016 after mastering her craft at several institutions such as <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/central-saint-martins-graduate-patrick-mcdowell-interview-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Central Saint Martins</a> and Parsons School of Design. Rojas' pieces are deeply rooted in her Spanish culture and its traditional crafstmanship while upholding the values of responsible manufacturing and sustainable practices.

Alejandra Alonso Rojas

Angel Sanchez's love for design flourished in his mother's atelier in his home country of Venezuela. Sanchez's collections quickly rose to prominence in Latin America and has opened the doors for international expansion and a company headquarters in New York City. Specializing in evening gowns and bridal wear, Sanchez collections are available in luxury retailers across the globe from Saks Fifth Avenue in New York to Bellissima and Novarese in Japan.

The Latinx Designers Leading the World of Fashion

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