Skip to main content

6 of the Most Influential Latinx Designers You Should Know

Latino designers have been making waves in the American fashion industry for decades, from classic brands like Oscar de la Renta to new emerging brands like LUAR. Not until recently have we acknowledged the contributions and success Latinx designers have provided to the fashion industry as a whole. In Honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month, we highlighted some of the most influential Latinx designers in history.

Oscar de la Renta

Marina Tatarenko/Shutterstock

When you think iconic Latin designer, most think of Oscar de la Renta. Simply put, he paved the way for Latinx designers in the industry when many weren’t recognized for their talents. The Dominican-born artist focused on elegance and timeless silhouettes and patterns with each design creating a piece that can last for decades without going out of style.

Recommended Videos

Carlos Campos

Carlos Campos
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The Honduran designer founded his eponymous company back in 2006. Known internationally for his colorful designers, he moved to New York at 13 to pursue fashion. Campos studied at the Fashion Institute of Technology, and then went on to design costumes on Broadway for Fiddler on the Roof and Jersey Boys. In 2011, he made history as the first Latino finalist for the prestigious Council of Fashion Designers of America, 

Lazaro Hernandez

Lazaro Hernandez
Image used with permission by copyright holder

One part of the label Proenza Schouler, the Cuban designer launched the brand with Jack McCollough in 2002 as a thesis project. The collection was soon bought entirely by Barneys, bringing Proenza Schouler to the masses. Hernandez was born to Cuban parents in Miami, and his line has expanded across countless department stores.

Rick Owens

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Born to an American father and Mexican mother, now Paris-based Owens has taken the fashion scene at the helm. His designs — sometimes seen as impractical — have transformed the industry and created a fantasy cult following. His fans lovingly refer to him as the “Lord of Darkness” and he can be seen walking around Paris in all black, tall black boots, and cloaked attire even on the sunniest days.

Raul Lopez 

Raul Lopez 
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Cofounder of the high fashion streetwear brand Hood By Air, Dominican designer Raul Lopez launched LUAR (Raul spelled backward) in September of 2018. His designs — which are gender fluid and futuristic — are heavily influenced by his upbringing as a queer Latinx in New York City.

Fernando García

Fernando García
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Fernando Garcia is the current co-creative director of Oscar Dela Renta and Monse. Garcia is of Dominican decent, and he first got his start in fashion at interning at (fittingly) Oscar de la Renta in Paris as a college student. In 2015, he founded the contemporary label Monse, which is beloved by celebrities and fashionistas for its fun, lively take on everyday wear.

Ty Gaskins
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Ty Gaskins is a Writer, Stylist, and Public Relations Professional based in New York City. Originally from Virginia Beach…
Should you be wearing a sweater over your dress shirt?
A fool proof way to nail the classic look
Man in a gray sweater and suit jacket

There are some styles that disappear and then come back with a vengeance. See the mom jean over the past decade with women everywhere. Then there are styles that just stay in our lexicon and never fade. Whether it is something simple like the undying coolness of a tee and jeans or the never fading stylish trend of layering, sometimes we just love something so much that we refuse to let it die. One that we have loved forever is the men's sweater over a dress shirt. Why do we buy into this idea? What is it about this layering technique that has us smitten every cold weather season?

The answer may not be straightforward, but we think it is because it adds depth to casual outfits like a button-up and pants and dressier outfits like a sport coat and jeans. In any case, there is a way to do this so you always look fantastic, and then there are those other ways. Follow the below tips and you will never look like the step-dad from The Santa Clause. Be honest, you went and looked up whether or not Dr. Neil Miller was actually wearing one, didn't you.
With a V-neck

Read more
Men’s fashion tips: The 17 essential rules every well-dressed man should know
What every man should know to ensure he's always the best dressed in the room
Man wearing scarf in the sunset

How do you know if you have style? Well, it is a bit of a Rorschach test. It can tell people around us who we are and what we think of ourselves. It can tell people more than we think. Some of us are mavericks, shirking the rules and subverting expectations at every turn, simply because we don't like to be put in boxes. Other groups of us like rules and we want the comfort that order and uniformity bring us. Then, even more of us are somewhere in the middle when it comes to men's style and crave order and uniformity to allow us to find our boundaries, only to shirk them later when we want to feel free. Men's fashion offers us all of the above.

Now, before we start throwing a bunch of rules at you, remember something vital: Rules are made to be broken. Artists do this all the time. They take a conventional rule and begin to push the boundaries until the rule is now ... as Captain Barbosa would put it ..."more of a guideline than an actual rule." Fashion is the same. True style is living within your own expression of the rules and pushing the boundaries until you express who you are. Now, there is definitely a balance here. While some rules are made to be broken, others are tried-and-true staples to live on.
Rules vs. guidelines and how to break them

Read more
These are the Japanese watch brands you should know
Should you add a timepiece from one of these Japanese watch brands to your collection?
Citizen watch in ground beans

The watch industry is an international business that brings some of the best pieces from all around the world. While some of the most prolific brands, like Swatch and Rolex, come from countries like Switzerland, there are a few brands that you may or may not be aware of that come from the Asian continent. Some of the best-known watch brands in the world, and some stellar statement understated pieces, come from Japan and truly set the mark for timepieces. 

While some brands might not get as much attention as others, these Japanese watch brands are known for style, quality, and longevity. With Japanese ingenuity behind each of their creations, there’s no doubt why these brands have the amount of praise around them and why some have lasted as long as they have. With the latest watch tech and statement designs, these Japanese brands are worth their price and have earned a spot in your timepiece collection. 
Citizen

Read more