For Johanna Ortiz, it isn’t really a party unless everyone is dancing. After all, the designer comes from Cali, Colombia, known as the capital of salsa. Guests who arrived at the intimate presentation at her chic Paris apartment yesterday evening were greeted by the lovely sounds of a Colombian-Cuban band and waiters preparing drinks dressed in crisp white Cuban shirts. The mood was café society with a Latin American twist.
Ortiz has a great sense for glamour, and this season it was informed by a languid elegance that recalled the 1930s. The frothy ruffles that were once her signature gave way to a more fluid silhouette, with embroidered fringed column dresses, slinky knits in shades of blush pink and golden brown, and tiered Art Deco–style floral-print dresses that were finished with looped braided straps. The same chunky braiding was used to fasten her charming sandals, made in collaboration with Tabitha Simmons. Ortiz is very much inspired by the beauty of her homeland, and for Spring the raffia midi heels took their shape from traditional thatched roofs that trace the tropical landscape.
No matter where in the world you are, there’s no avoiding the issue of climate change. And that’s not lost on Ortiz. She incorporated recycled fabrics into her line for the first time, and the textured midi skirts and draped tops in pale pink were some of the strongest pieces in the collection. Even small steps toward sustainability like this are well worth celebrating.
