the best latino brands you didn’t know about

late for hispanic heritage month, right on time for a venezuelan.

Hi there mom, aunts and design lovers!

Venezuelans are often late on purpose. In fact, arriving on time to a party is considered a social faux pas. When someone decides to respectfully show up early to an event we joke that they came around to set the table or place the candles (on the cake). It’s a common understanding that the party will start setting up at the time stated on the invitation since guests will arrive two hours later. How we got there, I’m unsure. But it has been this way since I can remember.

I met my husband at my best friend’s wedding in Venezuela. Our story begins with the bride being over an hour late for her own ceremony and the inevitable shockwave that spread over the American guests. Locals arrived 45 minutes after the set time foreseeing such an outcome. Serendipitously, this subject was the ice-breaker that got my future favorite person and I talking. He mentioned he’s Swiss and timeliness was a highly valued asset. I was fashionably late to the party so I didn’t really have an opinion on the matter. The rest is history.

You would think this first encounter with Venezuelans’ tardiness culture would have prepared him for what was to come, but it took years for him to accept that I will sometimes start getting ready five minutes before we are meant to leave the house. Finding the middle ground between arriving early enough to set the candles or late enough to miss the cake altogether is a work in progress in our household, although we can currently agree that it’s quite difficult to shower on time with a toddler around. This is all a long-winded way to say: I’m 15 days late for Hispanic Heritage Month. It wasn’t on purpose, I just couldn’t help it.

I had not given much mind to these festivities in the past, yet its importance has come into focus since I became a mom. Aside from the weekly arepas and the Christmas traditions, I’m hoping to use this time to educate my daughters on our Venezuelan heritage and their own standing as first generation Swiss-Latin-Americans. I’m determined to give this month the importance it deserves on my newsletter too, even if I’m a little tardy.

This year I wanted to shine a light on latino children‘s brands that are creating incredible work. All are produced in Latin America with the utmost care for craftsmanship, design and sustainable practices. I’m so proud to share these impactful companies with you and I hope you are inspired to support them too!

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1. Coco Au Lait

Made in Mexico, Coco Au Lait is a playful brand offering print-forward styles that fuse Latin embroideries and European cuts in unexpected color palettes. Designed through best production practices with high-quality fabrics, Coco Au Lait’s pieces are elevated yet easy to approach—all items are designed for you to mix and match them seamlessly and without much fuss.

1. Rib Jersey T-shirt / 2. Fleece Tracksuit / 3. Baby micro-corduroy dress

2. Agua Bendita Kids

Agua Bendita was founded by friends Catalina Álvarez and Mariana Hinestroza in 2003 while they were still fashion design students in Medellin, Colombia. Their pieces are handmade by female artisans in an effort to empower these local communities. Today, their main line is present in over 50 countries around the world, showcasing unique colorful prints and crafting techniques that have been passed on for generations.

1. Kaio Dress / 2. Nick Mare Trunks / 3. Girls Pomelo Dress

3. Petit Terra

Petit Terra carries an environmentally friendly message consistent in their prints all the way through their natural materials and conscious packaging. Offering gender-neutral basics in quiet colors, their designs display a sophisticated attention to detail. The brand produces all their garments in a small Colombian factory with the utmost respect for their artisans.

1. Gaby Sunscreen Oversized Sweatshirt / 2. Andy Overall Check Print / 3. Lina Jacket Beige with Bees

4. Babybox Clothing

Babybox Clothing was established in Miami in 2018 by Venezuelan designers Verónica Díaz & Joice González. Carrying a beautiful selection of handcrafted knits and occasion-wear, this growing brand aims to bring sustainable, dignified, creative jobs to female makers. The thoughtful details and customizable pieces make for handsome giftable products.

1. Mimi Dress, Fuchsia Flowers / 2. Abi Sweater Rainbow / 3. Abi Sweater Baseball

5. Alexandra Bueno Kids

An extension of her established womenswear collection, Alexandra Bueno Kids is a Colombian luxury brand highlighting both casual and resort wear. Their kids’ range is a beautifully crafted selection of everyday items, knits, swimwear and shoes. Sophisticated without being too serious, Alexandra Bueno’s baby clothing and accessories are known for their consistent quality and sensible design. I especially love their funky prints and unexpected silhouettes.

1. Pink Hen Kimono / 2. Ship Knit Panty / 3. Farm Sneakers

6. Pepita & Me

Inspired by the desire to create fun and comfortable summer-wear for children. Pepita & Me offers colorful swimwear and everyday clothing in high quality sustainable fabrics that are soft and breathable to ensure your little ones stay comfortable throughout the day. Featuring eye-catching prints, these lovely items are made responsibly in Colombia. Perfect for the summer!

1. Collage Knot Swimsuit / 2. Jara Palm Swimsuit / 3. Sunrise Hobe Pants

7. Tres Ovejas Kids

Tres Ovejas is known for its easy and effortless kids’ clothing. All their styles evoke simplicity paired with an understated "wow" factor. The brand’s ethos is to convey the uniqueness of its home country Colombia, using each piece as a vehicle to transmit the country’s modern yet laid back vibe.

1. Soho Bermudas / 2. Basicool Milk T-Shirt / 3. Vichy Culottes

8. Eugenia Fernandez Kids

Eugenia Fernandez was established in 2016 in Sincelejo, a Caribbean town in Colombia. Exceptional fabrics and versatile styles pay homage to their Latin flare. With the use of vibrant prints, Eugenia Fernandez offers clothes that make us dream of the Caribbean. Working with local artisans and sustainable materials, the brand is hoping to ensure a legacy of craftsmanship that both gives back and spreads joy.

1. Tiara Baby Jumper / 2. Amal Short Kids / 3. Margara Set

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Are there any Latin American brands you know and love? I’ll see you in the comments!