The American West isn’t the only place cowboys and girls like to roam. They go by the name of llaneros in Johanna Ortiz's native Colombia. Indeed, the designer took inspiration from classic South American rancho stylings to toughen up her romantic aesthetic for Fall. Ortiz had been sifting through the military decorations that belonged to her late grandfather, too, who once served as a cavalry general. The diamanté pins that studded many of the coats and jackets were in part an homage to him. It’s the first time Ortiz has tackled outwear in such a big way. After all, living so close to the equator in the sunny beach town of Cali, Colombia, she hasn’t much use for a winter wardrobe. Ortiz was wise to take an opposites-attract approach to layering, with tailored officer-inspired coats that were a nice counterpoint to the feminine ruffles for which she’s known. The best in the bunch was a quilted chartreuse coat that had the laid-back attitude of a bathrobe and could be easily thrown over the shoulders of one of the brand’s pretty little going-out tops.
Ortiz always brings a little Colombian fiesta to Paris—several of the gorgeous women in her crew of Colombian girlfriends modeled in the presentation yesterday. Her brand turns 15 this December, which is certainly cause for celebration. What’s more, there were fun and flirty dresses in the lineup to mark the anniversary, including one covered in an exotic floral motif and another nip-waisted style in lipstick-red that would work on a variety of different body types.
