Washington, D.C. – It’s been almost twenty years since Dominican Sobeidy Vidal brought to life a dream that has now consolidated as one of the most influential platforms for Latin talent in the fashion industry: Latin Fashion Week. Born in Washington D.C., this initiative emerged as a space for representation, visibility, and empowerment for Latin designers in the United States and Latin America.
The first event, held in a community hall in the American capital and later moved to Manhattan, marked the beginning of a different proposal: a platform focused on art, sustainability, and diversity, which opened doors to creatives who for years had been on the margins of conventional showcases.
In this path of evolution and commitment, the first edition of the Latin Fashion Awards was born in 2009 in Washington D.C., conceived to recognize the excellence and legacy of the protagonists of Latin fashion. In that historic gala, key figures in the sector were honored, such as the producer of Couture Fashion Week, the Dominican Andrés Aquino; designers Sabido & Basteris; the iconic Agatha Ruiz de la Prada, whose award was received by her daughter Cósima Ramírez; and maestro Maurizio Alberino, among others. The event was supported by the honorable ambassador of the Dominican Republic, Roberto Saladín, and his wife Dr. Berta Saladín, as well as the support of the Office of Latino Affairs of the D.C. government and coverage from media such as Univisión, The Washington Post and USA Today.
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Today, the Latin Fashion Awards represent not only the recognition of talent and perseverance, but also a constant evolution towards a more inclusive fashion connected to its roots. With presentations in key cities and international collaborations, the platform has driven hundreds of designers, models, and artists to build their own narrative, with a Latin stamp and global projection.
The next edition of the Latin Fashion Awards will be held on November 19, 2025, at the iconic Warner Theatre in Washington D.C., closing the annual Latin Fashion Week events. It will be a night to celebrate almost two decades of history, vision, and commitment to Latin talent in fashion.
