Inside Donde Esteban’s ‘Fruta Fresca’ with Esteban Cortazar

Titled “Fruta Fresca” after the iconic Latin song by Carlos Vives, Donde Esteban‘s high-summer collection celebrates the natural sensuality of fruits, evoking the joy and freedom felt when dancing or enjoying oneself in a hot-weather destination. This vibrant collection builds upon Cortazar’s love for endless summers, infusing his designs with the lively colors of the Caribbean, particularly Cartagena. The collection features remarkable prints by the pioneering Colombian artist Ana Mercedes Hoyos, inspired by the rich culture and stunning landscapes of Cartagena, Palenque, and the Colombian coast.

INTERVIEWS

Esteban Cortazar shares his journey of integrating Hoyos’ vibrant artwork into his designs, creating pieces that embody the essence of Colombian culture and the allure of tropical fruits. With creative direction by Cortazar’s close friend, multidisciplinary artist Miranda Makaroff, and a real-life couple, models Sergi Renom and Laia Rafel, bringing the campaign to life, “Fruta Fresca” shows Cortazar’s dedication to community, collaboration, and honoring his roots.

DSCENE Magazine’s editor Katarina Doric sat down with the talented Colombian designer Esteban Cortazar to discuss his vibrant and unique approach to resortwear. Launching in three drops starting from June 26th, “Fruta Fresca” promises to capture the sensuality and vibrancy of tropical fruits.

“Fruta Fresca” captures the sensuality of tropical fruits. Can you describe how you translated this sensuality into the textures and designs of your new collection? – There’s a subtle allure to this new collection that’s very special. Inspired by the sensuality of fruits—how they look when open, their gorgeous interiors, and the tactile experience of squeezing, cutting, and eating them—’Fruta Fresca’ translates this into clothes. Fruits are strategically placed in each of the collection’s designs to evoke an enticing feeling; bananas on a speedo, mangos on a dress’s breast area, or a papaya at the torso center. We used soft, silky fabrics with bias cuts for body movement, and placed fruits abstractly to highlight their natural abstract forms. This approach captures fruits’ shapes, textures, and fluidity, celebrating their allure and connecting it with human sensuality.

Like Vives’ passionate declaration of love in ‘Fruta Fresca’, our designs are infused with feelings of enthusiasm, desire, and affection.

The title “Fruta Fresca” is inspired by Carlos Vives’ song. How do you infuse the rhythm and emotion of this song into your pieces? – Fruta Fresca’ by Carlos Vives is profoundly inspirational to me and to Donde Esteban. The song’s poetic lyrics, starting with ‘ese beso de tu boca, que me sabe a fruta fresca’ (‘your kiss tastes like fresh fruit’), evoke the sensuality and romance that we aim to embody in our collection. Like Vives’ passionate declaration of love in ‘Fruta Fresca’, our designs are infused with feelings of enthusiasm, desire, and affection. Vives’ authenticity and celebration of his Colombian roots deeply resonate with me, influencing each design with cultural richness and emotional depth.

Cartagena’s vibrant culture is a significant influence on your work. Which aspects of the city’s lifestyle are most prominently reflected in this collection? – My family lives in Cartagena, so it holds a deeply personal significance for me. When I’m designing clothes, I always draw inspiration from Cartagena’s vibrant lifestyle, which is central to the story of Donde Esteban. The collection embodies the essence of Caribbean summers: a sultry blend of daytime relaxation and evening sophistication. Each piece reflects the effortless chic and hot, tropical ambiance of Cartagena, envisioning what one would wear after a day at the beach, refreshed with oils and scents, ready for dinner and dancing under the Caribbean night sky.

Bringing Ana Mercedes Hoyos’ art into our designs has allowed us to merge her visionary approach with Donde Esteban’s signature effortless silhouettes, creating pieces that embody the richness and depth of Colombian Caribbean culture in every detail.

Working with Ana Mercedes Hoyos’ artwork adds a unique dimension to the collection. What was the most exciting part of integrating her art into your fashion pieces? – Integrating Ana Mercedes Hoyos’ artwork into our fashion pieces has been a thrilling journey! Her influence has been a constant in my life since childhood, with her books on my parents’ tables and in their studios. What has always fascinated me about her work is its intimate, zoomed-in perspective—capturing the essence of Colombian Caribbean culture through detailed compositions of fruits, hands, and textiles. Her art isn’t just about depicting scenes; it’s a unique way of documenting the vibrancy and texture of our culture in Colombia. When I approached Ana Mosseri, her daughter, about collaborating, she shared my enthusiasm immediately. Bringing Ana Mercedes Hoyos’ art into our designs has allowed us to merge her visionary approach with Donde Esteban’s signature effortless silhouettes, creating pieces that embody the richness and depth of Colombian Caribbean culture in every detail.

Community and collaboration are core to Donde Esteban. Can you share a memorable moment from working with the artists and collaborators on this collection? – Working with my good friend Miranda Makaroff on this collection’s campaign was a standout experience. I’ve admired Miranda’s vibrant sense of color and fearless creativity for years, and finally collaborating with her was a dream come true. Her surrealist style and ability to play with proportions and elements bring a dynamic and playful energy to her art. For our campaign, Miranda’s spontaneous approach and love for incorporating fruits and playful elements added a unique flair. Her ability to create visual stories on the spot was truly inspiring. Miranda isn’t just an artist; she’s a muse and close friend whose lifestyle and creativity continue to influence and shape mine and Donde Esteban’s community.

…capturing sensuality and the joy of carefree moments in warm weather with friends and lovers.

The collection will be released in three drops. What can we expect from the next drop? – Look forward to the next drop continuing with the feeling of vibrant enthusiasm and my passion for the energy of dance—capturing sensuality and the joy of carefree moments in warm weather with friends and lovers. Every piece is designed with this context in mind, each embodying the essence of Donde Esteban.

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