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Inside the Puerto Rican Fashion Revolution at Bad Bunny’s Residency
Bad Bunny’s 30-show residency at El Coliseo de Puerto Rico (El Choli) isn’t just a musical event. It’s a cultural phenomenon and a fashion moment fueled by Puerto Rican designers bringing local artistry to the global stage. Let’s take a closer look at the names turning Benito’s looks (and those of his guests) into runway-worthy moments, and how their work is reshaping the narrative of fashion in Puerto Rico and beyond.
Yayi Pérez: Modern Guayaberas & a Deep Love for the Island
Designer Yayi Pérez, founder of “YAYI” in San Juan, has crafted some of the standout pieces worn by Bad Bunny throughout the residency. With a background that includes training at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York and stints in Italy, Pérez is reimagining classic staples like the guayabera.
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One of her most talked-about creations, the “Cordillera” shirt, was inspired by topographic maps of Puerto Rico’s central mountain range. Embroidered with multicolored stitching referencing elevation lines and geographic markers, it’s a wearable tribute to the island’s natural landscape.
Her collaboration with Benito began when one of his photographers gifted him a shirt from her shop on Calle Cerra. Since then, she’s produced multiple custom looks for the artist, blending traditional Puerto Rican aesthetics with avant-garde tailoring.
Herman Nadal: Heritage Meets Haute Couture
Born in San Juan, Herman Nadal fuses Puerto Rico’s colonial past with contemporary high fashion. A former apprentice of designer Lisa Thon, Nadal also taught fashion at EDP University and gained national attention after winning Univision’s Revelación Moda.
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His looks have been worn by Chuwi during the residency and continue to turn heads for their incorporation of traditional elements like bomba dresses, mundillo lacework, and vejigante symbolism. He draws inspiration from music, architecture, and the dualities of Puerto Rican identity.
“My proposal is not a copy of the past; it’s an interpretation of my culture for the new generations,” Nadal has stated. His pieces tell stories, challenge norms, and celebrate Puerto Rico in every stitch.
Santos by Mónica: Sustainable Elegance from NYC to El Choli
Mónica Santos Gil, a Puerto Rican industrial designer based in New York City, founded Santos by Mónica during the pandemic with a mission: slow, sustainable fashion. Her label, rooted in biomaterials and ethical local production, dressed artist Chuwi during a special appearance at El Choli.
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Her designs use cactus-based leather alternatives, Eucalyptus Lyocell blends, and 100% TENCEL, proving that eco-conscious fashion can be cutting-edge. “Fashion should be a tool for education and positive change,” Santos says, and her brand reflects that ethos through thoughtful design and responsible practices.
Eclíptica Atelier: Elevating RaiNao’s Stage Style
RaiNao’s show-stopping looks come courtesy of Ecliptica Atelier, helmed by eccentric sister duo Norein and Michelle Otero. Since 2000, Ecliptica has set trends in Puerto Rico with their signature draping, embroidery, fringes, macramé, and flowing silks.
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Their silhouettes, marked by plunging necklines and statuesque fluidity, feel like modern goddesses brought to life. The brand includes Ready-To-Wear line ISLA, bridal collections, and the couture-focused Ecliptica Atelier. Their name, derived from the astronomical term for the sun’s path through the sky, reflects the energy, seasonality, and celestial power in each garment.
Vendali: Rebellion in Fabric
The fashion world is buzzing about Vendali, a new label that quickly carved out a place in Puerto Rico’s creative scene. With collections that lean into bold cuts, texture play, and expressive detail, Vendali is all about breaking expectations. They’re not just designing clothes, they’re rewriting what Puerto Rican fashion can look like. Expect to see this name more in both underground and mainstream spaces.
Liveramártir: Lingerie as Resistance
Born from the chaos of Hurricane María and the introspection of the pandemic, Liveramártir is a handmade lingerie label founded by two young Puerto Rican artists. Their mission? To channel sensuality, vulnerability, and empowerment into intimate designs. Each piece is described as being infused with “spirituality, rarity, and freedom,” created for bold individuals who see clothing as both armor and expression.
De León Headwear: A Jíbaro Hat for the Met Gala
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Neysha de León, the artist and designer behind De León Headwear, brought Puerto Rican identity to the global spotlight when she crafted the traditional jíbaro straw hat worn at the 2025 Met Gala. Her pieces are handmade without harsh chemicals or synthetics, combining natural craftsmanship with high fashion aesthetics. A graduate of the Escuela de Artes Plásticas and FIT, De León now runs her studio in San Juan, specializing in culturally rich, one-of-a-kind hats and headpieces.
Bad Bunny’s residency has done more than sell out arenas. It’s shone a light on Puerto Rico’s diverse and powerful fashion talent. Each outfit tells a story of culture, creativity, and innovation, all woven by designers who see their work as a love letter to la isla.
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