The renowned Colombian designer talks about his collection “Every day is forever”, which he made at the hands of the Spanish fashion house Desigual.
How has your career in fashion design evolved in the last twenty years?
I started very young and I have seen the industry change during all these years, while maturing as a person and that gives me a lot of perspective. I feel like I can do better in my own way now more than ever.
At what point did you reconnect with Colombia in such a special way? Was that recent collaboration from last year?
The last collaboration was like a love letter for Colombia and what it means to me. Since I came to this world I have been connected with Colombia and it has always inspired me. My family, the mountains, the food, the colors, the people, Cartagena, the department of Tolima, the music and many other things that are always in my heart. I have lived abroad for most of my life, but I have never stopped going to Colombia and I always have a deep connection with it.
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Do you have other projects that motivate your visit to Colombia for the last semester of this year?
Yes. I am planning several projects for later, in the year and 2022, and several of them will focus on Colombia.
Where did the idea of making a first collaboration with the Spanish fashion house Desigual come from?
It was very spontaneous and natural. With Desigual we met at Art Basel Miami and at the Sonar Music Festival, and we became more confident, so they invited me to collaborate. I realized that we have a lot in common and we connect easily. I found it a very cool challenge to give the brand a refreshment and another point of view, but also respecting its DNA and doing it my way. Everything flowed perfect.
What does “uneven” mean to you?
I could define “uneven” with four very important words for my creative work: original, different, optimistic and happy.
What makes Esteban Cortázar close ties with the Desigual house to make the collection “Every day is forever”?
I share with Desigual the love of giving joy to the world through the use of colors and without forgetting optimism and that is why I created the Every day is forever collection.
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In addition to his love for Colombia, he also has a deep appreciation for Miami, why?
Miami was the place where I grew up … and it was precisely there where I discovered my love for fashion, where I expressed myself as I am. I can say that Miami is the place with the best light in the world.
In what way did a city like Miami mark Esteban Cortázar’s childhood?
The ones I lived in Miami were years of great training. I grew up on a beach with artists, supermodels, drag queens, and all kinds of people, with incredible energy. It was a very special time in the state of Florida. I feel very fortunate about what I experienced and, without a doubt, those moments are an important part of my history. I remember perfectly that everything started in Miami from the first show at school, when I was thirteen years old.
Follow the news of El Espectador on Google NewsWhat other day do you look forward to?
Another unforgettable day for me was my first show in Paris, which comes to mind with endless details.
What do the sea and summer mean for Esteban Cortázar?
The sea and summer are for me synonymous with expressions like “freedom”, “heat” and “joy”.
What cannot be missing for this summer?
Good friends, music and, of course, good looks by Esteban Cortázar for Desigual can never be missing.