Latin American Fashion Awards

What Latin American Fashion Awards does

Latin American Fashion Awards (LAFA) is a private, for-profit global awards platform founded in 2019 by Constanza Cavalli Etro (President) and Silvia Argüello (CEO), both creative directors with deep European and Latin American fashion industry backgrounds. The organization hosts a biennial awards ceremony in the Dominican Republic recognizing Latin American designers, brands, photographers, models, influencers, artisans, stylists, and filmmakers across 14-17 categories, with submissions free and open to all Latin creatives. Its second edition was held November 6-9, 2025 at the Altos de Chavón Amphitheatre in Casa de Campo Resort & Villas, with Donatella Versace as Jury President and Nina Garcia, Gabriela Hearst, and Anna Dello Russo among jury members.

LAFA's core offering is a recognition and visibility platform rather than a technology product; technical infrastructure is described as not applicable. Award winners gain a two-year international development program including showcase opportunities at Fashion Hub Milano during Milan Fashion Week, an exclusive pavilion at White Show Milano, co-hosted events with ELLE and CNMI, and a CFDA-supplied 6-month mentorship for the Emerging Designer of the Year winner. The inaugural 2023 edition drew over 1,500 applications from 25+ countries and achieved 3.3 billion media reach and 650 million social reach.

LAFA's revenue model is sponsorship-driven, with no disclosed equity funding, no entry fees for submissions, and no traditional product pricing. Major corporate sponsors include Visa, Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism, Casa de Campo Resort, Don Julio tequila, Moët & Chandon, Casa Brugal, Banco Popular Dominicano, Banreservas, Air Europa, AraJet, and TikTok, alongside institutional partners CNMI, CFDA, ELLE, and the Carmen Busquets Foundation (which funds a $50,000 couture prize). The company operates with 1-10 employees across offices in Milan (listed headquarters) and Santo Domingo (registered legal entity in the Dominican Republic).

Name

Latin American Fashion Awards

Legal name

Latin American Fashion Awards

Website

https://latinamericanfashionawards.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2023

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Latin American Fashion Awards (LAFA) is a private biennial awards platform founded in 2019 by Constanza Cavalli Etro and Silvia Argüello, celebrating Latin American fashion creatives across 14-17 categories with a free submission process, hosted in the Dominican Republic and showcased internationally via Milan Fashion Week partnerships with CNMI, CFDA, and ELLE.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Milano

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Marketing or Sales, Operations, Personnel, Others

Revenue model

1. Sponsorship Revenue: Corporate sponsorship from major brands including Visa, Dominican Republic tourism, Casa de Campo Resort, Don Julio tequila, Kahkow, Alyon, Moët & Chandon, Casa Brugal rum, Banco Popular Dominicano, Banreservas, Air Europa, AraJet, TikTok, and others. Sponsors receive visibility at the awards ceremony, red carpet events, and across the organization's media channels.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Latin American Fashion Awards operates a biennial global awards platform that recognizes Latin American creative talent across 14+ categories spanning fashion design, accessories, photography, modeling, fashion film, artisan craftsmanship, responsible projects, and styling. The platform is free to enter for all Latin creatives and includes a two-year development program for winners featuring Milan Fashion Week showcases at Fashion Hub Milano and the White Show, a CFDA mentorship, and the $50,000 Carmen Busquets Couture Prize.

Product overview

Latin American Fashion Awards is a biennial global fashion awards platform and ecosystem for Latin American creatives. The core offering is the awards ceremony itself with 14+ categories recognizing designers, brands, photographers, models, influencers, artisans, and stylists across the fashion industry. The platform operates across multiple touchpoints including the main awards ceremony in the Dominican Republic, Fashion Hub Milano exhibition during Milan Fashion Week, White Show Milano pavilion, and ELLE co-hosted cocktail events. Winners receive additional growth support including a dedicated CFDA Mentorship Program, Milan Fashion Week promotion, and access to international buyers and press. The platform also includes the special Carmen Busquets Couture Prize worth $50,000. Submissions are free and open to all Latin creatives, with the mission to promote diverse voices on the global stage.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Latin American Fashion Awards Platform Biennial global awards platform and ecosystem recognizing Latin American fashion talent across 14-17 categories, held in the Dominican Republic with free online submissions for all Latin creatives.
• Carmen Busquets Couture Prize $50,000 cash prize awarded by the Carmen Busquets Foundation to recognize couture craftsmanship and cultural preservation among Latin American designers.
• Fashion Hub Milano Winners' Exhibition Annual exhibition showcasing LAFA award winners at Fashion Hub Milano during Milan Fashion Week, supported by Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana, providing international visibility and business development opportunities.
• White Show Milano Pavilion Exclusive showcase pavilion at White Show Milano where LAFA winners display their collections to international buyers and press during Milan Fashion Week.
• CFDA Mentorship Program 6-month virtual mentorship program provided by the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) to the Emerging Designer of the Year winner, offering industry expert guidance and access to CFDA educational and professional networks.
• Milan Fashion Week Growth Program Dedicated year-long growth program for LAFA award winners hosted during Milan Fashion Week, providing showcase, networking, and business development opportunities with international buyers, press, and industry leaders.

Quantifiable outcome

• 3.3 billion+ press reach achieved in inaugural edition
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers18 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supporting.

• Carmen Busquets FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 November 2025Partnership to create the inaugural Carmen Busquets Couture Prize worth $50,000, awarded at the Latin American Fashion Awards. Carmen Busquets is a Venezuelan philanthropist and early investor in Net-a-Porter, Moda Operandi, Farfetch, and Lyst. The prize celebrates couture craftsmanship and cultural preservation.
• VisacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMain sponsor of the Latin American Fashion Awards. Visa's sponsorship aligns with their global brand presence and support for creative industries.
• Ministerio de Turismo de República DominicanacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor representing the Dominican Republic's tourism board. Host country partner supporting the awards ceremony location in La Romana, Dominican Republic.
• Casa de Campo Resort & VillascoreGTM or Marketing PartnerLuxury resort hosting the awards ceremony at the iconic Altos de Chavón Amphitheatre. Primary venue partner for the biennial event.
• Don Julio TequilamajorGTM or Marketing PartnerPremium tequila brand serving as main sponsor and provider of spirits for events and celebrations.
• Alyon - Global Alliances for InnovationsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerInnovation and technology partner supporting the awards with global alliance capabilities.
• KahkowsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerDominican Republic-based organization supporting the awards, celebrating regional heritage and craft.
• Moët & ChandonsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerLuxury champagne brand providing products for celebrations and events.
• Casa BrugalsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerDominican rum producer and luxury spirits partner.
• Air EuropasupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerAirline partner providing flight connections for international attendees and talent.
• AraJetsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerBoeing-operated airline connecting 18 destinations in 11 countries with Dominican Republic, providing accessible travel options.
• TikTokmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerSocial media platform partner providing digital reach and engagement, especially among younger demographics.
• Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana (CNMI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerItalian Fashion Chamber providing institutional support, Fashion Hub Milano venue for winners' exhibition during Milan Fashion Week, and access to Italian fashion industry networks. The CNMI also appointed co-founder Constanza Cavalli Etro as Ambassador for Latin America.
• Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUS fashion industry body providing mentorship program for Emerging Designer of the Year winner. 6-month virtual mentorship with industry experts and access to CFDA educational networks.
• ELLE MagazinemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor fashion publication co-hosting ELLE cocktail party during Milan Fashion Week and providing ongoing editorial coverage. Editor-in-chief Nina Garcia serves on the jury.
• Fashion Film Festival MilanosupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounded by co-founder Constanza Cavalli Etro, the festival supports fashion film category and shares mission of celebrating fashion creativity.
• Puntacana Resort & ClubsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerLuxury resort partner hosting opening night events including cocktail party at Oscar de la Renta's historic private villa.
• Casa de los XVIsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerLuxury boutique hotel in Colonial City of Santo Domingo, partner for accommodations and events.
• Barceló RumsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerDominican rum producer, world's first carbon-neutral certified rum, supporting as spirits partner.
• Blanco FoundationsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerFoundation focused on social impact and community development, aligning with awards' values of empowerment.
• MA.VE PR & CommunicationssupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPR and communications agency dedicated to growing Latin American brands and talents. Founded by Madeleine Martin and Vanessa Shemesh, providing effective and personalized strategies.
• VIXmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStreaming platform broadcasting the awards ceremony and exclusive content to Latin American audiences. Second edition broadcast on VIX.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• São Paulo Fashion Week: Latin America's largest fashion-week platform, run by IMX. Comparable to LAFA in serving the Latin American creative community seeking international visibility, but focused on the Brazilian market and trade-show format rather than awards.

Direct peers

• International Woolmark Prize: Global fashion award targeting emerging and established designers across multiple regions, with a multi-category structure and international judging panel. Comparable structure to LAFA's biennial, multi-category, global format.
• CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers of America): Runs the CFDA Fashion Awards and the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund, the closest US analog to LAFA. Both are fashion-industry awards platforms with a prestigious jury, designer development programs, and partnerships with major fashion publications.
• H&M Foundation Global Change Award: Innovation prize for sustainable fashion with a five-winner format, mentorship, and a sizable cash prize pool. Comparable to LAFA in identifying winners via an international jury and providing ongoing development support, and overlaps with LAFA's Responsible Project of the Year category.
• British Fashion Council (BFC) / BFC Fashion Awards: Runs the BFC Fashion Awards, the UK's leading fashion-awards platform, plus designer-support and showroom programs (NEWGEN, BFC Foundation). Comparable in format (annual awards, designer pipeline, institutional partnerships) and in serving a national/regional creative community seeking global recognition.
• ANDAM Fashion Award: French fashion prize founded in 1989 that awards cash prizes, mentorship, and industry access to emerging designers. Comparable to LAFA as a designer-development awards platform with established institutional partners (FHCM, Vogue).
• Pitti Immagine: Italian trade-show and event operator (Pitti Uomo, Pitti Filati) that hosts fashion weeks and designer showcases. Directly comparable to LAFA's Milan activations (White Show pavilion, Fashion Hub Milano), and serves as a parallel platform for emerging designer visibility.
• LVMH Prize for Young Fashion Designers: The most prestigious global emerging-designer prize, run by LVMH. Directly comparable to LAFA in targeting emerging and established fashion talent, offering cash prizes, mentorship, and integration with the parent group's retail network.

Broad incumbents

• The Business of Fashion (BoF): The leading global fashion-industry media and events business. BoF covers the same fashion-creative community LAFA serves and runs BoF Professional and BoF Events; it is a broader incumbent in the fashion-media and industry-events space.
• Vogue (Condé Nast): The dominant global fashion-media brand and a core strategic partner of LAFA (Vogue covers the awards, Nina Garcia is a jury member). Comparable as a global fashion-recognition platform with broad multi-region reach and deep sponsor relationships.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/latinamericanfashionawards?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/latin-american-fashion-awards

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Latin American Fashion Awards