The BRICS+ Fashion Summit business program features more than 200 speakers from all over the world. They are fashion industry professionals who set the trends for its development in their relevant regions. We asked some of them to size up the Summit’s impact on BRICS+ emerging markets, to talk about fashion development trends in their countries and the contribution made by the textile and garment industry to their national economies.
Guatemala Fashion Week is an integrative platform bringing industry players together to support and promote projects, and grow professionally. We receive financial assistance from the government and follow a responsible consumption trend. Guatemala Fashion Week has two initiatives: Handmade Fashion upholds local brands using handicraft and traditional practices, while Made in Guate connects local artisan communities with designers and fashion companies from other countries.
I believe in the power of collaboration! The BRICS+ Fashion Summit is just the right initiative for this. The Summit offers participation to countries that are often overlooked at keynote fashion events, which is admirable. This is a major breakthrough, a way to tell the world: “Hey! These markets are important too!” This is what makes the summit so valuable.
Local brands are gaining weight. When you want to feel part of something big, you start buying from local producers. This is an attribute of national identity. And these buyers have higher quality requirements, which forces local brands to improve all the time. Guatemala is among the top-five biggest suppliers of textiles in North America. In 2023, the country’s exports of these goods totalled the equivalent of $763.8 million, while relevant sectors accounted for an 8.6% share in Guatemala’s GDP. The most viable brands are those associated with our country’s cultural codes. My personal favorites are Mariandree Gaitan, Lia Cohen, Luna del Pinal, Wakami and Jaspe by Vitto.
