Stitch Lab’: A Space for Latin American Fashion Designers

Continuing with Women’s History Month, we’re highlighting a Venezuelan-born Latina who came to the U.S. at only 19 years of age.

Karina Rosendo, grew up seeing Caracas’ rhythm and its people, a city and full of iconic architecture. Karina is giving a voice to Latin American designers by showcasing them in a platform that truly appreciates their narrative, their aesthetic and their social values. Enter Stitch Lab: a talent incubator and launching pad for Latin American designers in the U.S. founded in 2018.

“The weather is perfect all year round, people like to dress well, eat well, live well,” says Karina about her native city.  “When I think of my childhood, besides thinking of Caracas, I also think of my grandma’s cooking, and how we spent every Sunday together. I love that feeling of the house always being full. Full of family, friends and neighbors.”

Don’t we all relate to this Latina?  Let’s get to know more of  this bicultural, bilingue, crossover mujer and her company Stitch Lab.

To kick off 2022, Stitch Lab will once again host their unique pop-up at Paradise Plaza in the Miami Design District for three days, showcasing 38 new designers. It will kick off with an exclusive, private fashion runway show on Thursday, April 7th, and the consumer-facing pop-up will take place from April 8th – April 10th. 

How have your different projects helped find inclusion for the Latinx community?

Through Stitch Lab we have been able to give visibility to more than 100 latin brands in the U.S. telling their true story, and connecting them with thousands of potential customers, fashion players in the U.S., national media outlets and major retailers like Macy’s. In an industry that is still behind on diversity, both on the runway and behind the scenes, we are proud to say our platform is helping Latino representation by giving designers, photographers, models, stylists, makeup artists and other creatives in general, a space where they can collaborate and feature their work in front of a mainstream audience.

How have you seen diversity and representation of Latinas in your industry changed over the years?

I have seen progress, but even as the Latino community is getting a foot in the door, I feel we still face hardships in diversity that range from unequal pay and discrimination to stereotypes and lack of representation. That is not only in the world of fashion, but in general. So we have to keep working, and fighting to get our place at the table.

What makes you passionate and proud about your work?

Meeting new people and visiting new places in Latin America makes me very passionate about this job. And being able to serve, help and make an impact in someone’s life, let alone an entire community, makes me extremely proud.

The biggest lesson you’ve learned and can share with younger Latinas?

Don’t stop dreaming, work hard, seek financial advice and ALWAYS TRUST YOUR GUT

Future goals/projects that we can stay tuned for?

We will be expanding to new locations later this year. In the summer we will host a second edition of the pop-up in Aventura Mall and promote all things swim. Later, in the fall, to kick off Hispanic Heritage Month, we plan to activate in Houston Texas.

Stitch Lab, has been ahead of the “Shop Small” movement. The incubator saw an opportunity for independent Latin American designers that were being left out of the mainstream conversation. What started as a one-day pop-up in 2018 with only 20 designers, today, Stitch Lab is introducing an average of 60 designers annually at what has become one of the most anticipated fashion pop-ups in South Florida. In 2021, Stitch Lab brought 40 designers to Miami alone, leading them to enter brick and mortar, including boutiques and retailer giants like Macy’s.

“To celebrate Stitch Lab’s fifth anniversary we are producing a one-of-a-kind fashion show featuring unique looks created by Venezuelan stylist Mariela Ortega, combining pieces from all the designers participating this year, championing diversity and body inclusivity in the runway. We also want to celebrate all Latinos as a united force, highlighting our rich heritage, all-inclusive cultural identity, shared attributes and experiences,” said Karina Rosendo, CEO & Founder of Stitch Lab.

In this edition, the participating designers come from Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Venezuela, Dominican Republic, Panama, and Mexico.

For the second year in a row, Stitch Lab is continuing its collaboration with the government agency ProColombia, which supports and funds new Colombian talent to enter the U.S. Separately, Stitch Lab is also launching a new ambassador program in partnership with luxury retailers from Latin America to continue their efforts in promoting local talent. Thanks to this new program, AveMaria, a Salvadorian luxury boutique, has become their first ambassador and will be introducing three brands from El Salvador at the pop-up, hoping to expose them to a new U.S. clientele.

The pop-up will also unveil the international launch of Sea Salt, the eco-friendly swimwear brand co-founded by Colombian model and TV host, Laura Tobón, Mercedes Zalasar, Catalina Zuluaga, Pily Queipo, and Alvaro Rodriguez.  Other designer highlights include Eugenia Fernandez, Valentina Karnoubi, Florencia Davalos, Alejandra Raw, Liza Echeverry, Mia de Dios, and newcomers like Olette, Venandi, Nue, Relicario, Nudo Rosa, and many more.

This year Stitch Lab continues its partnership with the Miami Design District as the official sponsor and host, and also includes TRESemmé, Maison Marcel, and ProColombia.