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Colombian fashion: 9 Colombian clothing brands taking on the world (2026)

Karen Joya · BlackFrameStudio ·

Colombia has around 70,000 fashion companies. In July 2026, Colombiamoda brought together 630 brands and 9,000 buyers in Medellín, 1,600 of them international, from 53 countries (La República, July 2026).

The sector's total exports have fallen this year, by 6.7% between January and May, but some Colombian brands are succeeding in Madrid, Paris, New York and Miami, and sales to Canada, Germany and Japan are growing strongly (Analdex, with DANE data, July 2026). These are the nine getting the most attention.

Caro Dekker in a red dress and leather jacket sitting on a chrome chair, with smoke and an orange circle behind her

The 9 brands

1. Johanna Ortiz (Cali): women's luxury

In March 2026 she opened Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Madrid as guest designer, her first show in Spain, and won the International Designer award.

2. Silvia Tcherassi (Barranquilla): womenswear and couture

Sold at Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus and Revolve, she has announced her first boutique in Texas, in Houston, which will be her third own store in the United States. In October she received the Hispanic Fashion Influence award in Madrid.

3. Agua Bendita (Medellín): swimwear and beachwear

One of the best-known Colombian brands abroad, it is sold on Net-a-Porter and Moda Operandi. In 2026 it took its "Summer Truck" to Miami Swim Week, and its Agua by Agua Bendita line was chosen to open MBFW Madrid in September.

4. Baobab (Bogotá): swimwear and resortwear

In October it presented its Resort 2027 collection at the Palais Garnier, the Paris Opera. It billed 13 million dollars in 2025, aims for 16 million in 2026, sells in around 52 countries and makes 70% of its sales from exports, with presence at Saks, Bloomingdale's and Galeries Lafayette (Forbes Colombia, October 2026).

5. MAZ Manuela Álvarez (Bogotá): artisanal design

She was a semifinalist for the 2026 LVMH Prize, the only one from Latin America among 20, and presented a collaboration with adidas.

6. Clemont (Antioquia): fashion

It passed 6.5 million dollars in revenue in 2025, 177% more than the year before, and in 2026 it is expanding to Mexico, Peru, Bolivia, Costa Rica and Ecuador (Valora Analitik, February 2026).

7. Kernel Leather (Bogotá): leather footwear and goods

Born in the Restrepo neighbourhood, the heart of Bogotá's leather trade. In 2026 it showed twice at New York Fashion Week and was also in Paris.

8. Andrés Pajón: designer label

One of the three brands chosen for the first edition of Colombiamoda in Paris, in October 2026.

9. Adriana Santa Cruz: hand-woven textiles

She took garments hand-woven by Indigenous communities in southern Colombia to Paris Fashion Week, with ProColombia.

What they have in common

This is our reading of the data:

  • Swimwear is Colombia's great strength. Colombia is South America's leading swimwear exporter (ProColombia, March 2026).
  • Craftsmanship and designer labels are what set its brands apart on international runways.
  • Madrid and Paris are becoming the gateway to Europe.

How to take a Colombian brand to new markets

To sell abroad, a brand needs content that works in each country: in its language, with its references and with the real product. That is what Caro Dekker does, a Colombian fashion influencer created with AI by BlackFrameStudio: she takes real garments into scenes in Paris, Rome or Barcelona, in English and Spanish. Find out who Caro is and how to work with her.

Collaborate with Caro

Frequently asked questions

Which Colombian clothing brands are best known outside Colombia?

Johanna Ortiz, Silvia Tcherassi, Agua Bendita and Baobab have the strongest presence in international stores and on international runways.

Where can you buy Colombian fashion outside Colombia?

At department stores and luxury online retailers: Agua Bendita on Net-a-Porter and Moda Operandi; Silvia Tcherassi at Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus and Revolve; Baobab at Saks, Bloomingdale's and Galeries Lafayette.

What is Colombiamoda?

It is Colombia's main fashion fair. It takes place every July in Medellín, is organised by Inexmoda and in 2026 also had editions in Miami and Paris.

Sources