Shop local couture: Designers we love

By Iris Edén Santiago

Special to The Star

Just in time for the holidays, a group of local fashion designers presented fabulous haute couture options for attending the coming festivities in style.

By shopping from these brilliant designers you will succeed on two fronts: you will make a grand entrance at your next cocktail party or gala event, and you will support local businesses. It’s a win-win!

The designers who presented these very glamorous collections are Marcos Carrazana, Carlos Alberto, Sonia Rivera, Orlando López, Juan Colón, Leonardo Fifth Avenue, Juan Carlos Collazo, Javier Arnaldo, Lisa Porrata, Lisa Cappalli, José Raúl and Luis Antonio.

The weeklong event organized by San Juan Moda had a fantastic start at Isla Verde’s Fairmont El San Juan Hotel and ended on Saturday with a breathtaking runway and models coming out of private jets in Benítez Aviation at the Isla Grande Airport in Miramar. Other venues included San Juan Marriott Resort and Stellaris Casino, La Concha Renaissance San Juan Resort, Condado Plaza Hilton, Pablo Casals Symphonic Hall, Ponce Convention Center and Sheraton Puerto Rico Hotel & Casino.

Although with different levels of intensity, the collections presented glitz and glam looks to steal the night away. We saw classic, classy and edgy. Also popular global trends like metallics, cutouts, sequins, feathers and sexy boots. We loved the sheer fabrics, the embroidered detailing and the ever-feminine opera gloves, which are as fashionable as ever.

The prevailing color palette was white, gold, red and black. But we also enjoyed looks in fuchsia, orange and green. Some of the best looks of the week are on this page. Watch out for future editions of the STAR where we will present individual reviews of the best fashion proposals.