Imagine the scene: flashing lights, models scurrying about, designers making last-minute adjustments, stylists meticulously perfecting each look, and an electric energy that’s palpable in the air. This is the backstage of a fashion week, where the magic happens before the world even gets a glimpse of the glamour on the runway. At Vogue Mexico and Latin America, we offer an exclusive and intimate look into the heart of Panama Fashion Week 2024, a burgeoning event that has become the fashion epicenter of Central America. This year, the event hosted a captivating collaboration between global brand New Balance and innovative local designers, showcasing a vibrant intersection of design and culture.
New Balance, with its rich design heritage, is taking a bold step by collaborating with Latin American brands, fostering an exciting cycle of incubation. These partnerships allow for the creation of products that authentically reflect the diversity and originality of urban culture. Each design tells a unique story, resonating deeply with the community and promoting a narrative that transcends borders and celebrates emerging talent.
This year, we were privileged to witness this fusion of ideas come to life through the creative proposals of Humberto Cubides of CUBEL and Daniela Valencia of True. Both brought their unique visions to the runway, blending their individual styles with the audacious spirit of New Balance, creating a bridge between the past and the future of Latin American fashion.
CUBEL: Tradition, Innovation, and Visual Narrative
Under the creative direction of Humberto Cubides, CUBEL has carved a unique space in the international scene by seamlessly blending Colombian tradition with a modern and urban aesthetic. Drawing inspiration from pre-Hispanic narratives and the roots of his culture, Cubides crafts garments that tell stories, each design carrying a deep symbolic weight.
At Panama Fashion Week 2024, CUBEL presented a collection titled ‘Para Mari,’ which translates to ‘fire’ in the indigenous language, symbolizing transformation and interconnectedness with the Earth. The collection was captivating, merging Cubides’ signature designer touch with the cutting-edge silhouettes of New Balance.
‘The collaboration with New Balance emerged at a time when the brand was in the midst of its internationalization journey, and the proposition of merging our visions was an instant match,’ Cubides shared backstage, exclusively with us. His runway showcased the WRPD Runner, a silhouette that combines exaggerated proportions with understated minimalism. This hybrid model, designed without relying on archival references, incorporates cutting-edge technology, allowing the models to walk with an almost poetic fluidity. ‘I am inspired by the connection between the earthly and the technological, and the WRPD Runner fits perfectly into that narrative,’ Cubides added.
True: Authenticity and Contemporary Streetwear
True, the Colombian brand created by Daniela Valencia, is a genuine tribute to streetwear culture. Inspired by the hip-hop of the 90s and 2000s, True seeks to project authenticity in every piece. Valencia has successfully positioned her brand as one of the most influential in the urban fashion scene, offering a style that feels as real as the communities it honors. Her collections are bold, infused with cultural references, yet always retain a cutting-edge touch that transcends mere aesthetics.
At Panama Fashion Week 2024, True dazzled with a collection that revisited elements of streetwear, elevating them to a new dimension. ‘My brand and New Balance connect in our purpose of inspiring communities through creativity. We wanted to take streetwear to another level, without losing its essence, but adapting it to an audience that seeks more sophistication,’ Valencia revealed during a backstage chat as the final touches were being made on the outfits.
Valencia complemented her looks with iconic New Balance models, including the 1906R and the 1000. The 1906R, a reinvention of the year 2000 running shoe, stood out for its refined high-performance heritage. The 1000, a re-edition of the model launched in 1999, added a touch of nostalgia with its futuristic aesthetic and meticulously crafted aerodynamic design.
The Passionate Fashionistas Behind the Show
But the story doesn’t end on the runway. Part of what makes the fashion world so vibrant today are the opinions, reactions, and styles of the most prominent influencers. At this edition of Panama Fashion Week 2024, we had the opportunity to speak with personalities like Lorenz Wiedenmann, Valeria Olivo, Oscar Ortiz, and Mariandre Gonzalez, who not only attended to witness the show but also became integral to the phenomenon, bringing their personal perspectives and tastes to the forefront of trends.
Lorenz, known for his minimalist silhouettes with an urban edge, expressed his fascination with the collaboration between CUBEL and New Balance, noting how the collection’s earthy tones aligned perfectly with the functionality and futuristic design of the WRPD Runner. Meanwhile, Valeria Olivo, always loyal to contrasts and experimentation, shared her secret for pairing her New Balance sneakers with basic garments, emphasizing that comfort never has to compromise style. Oscar Ortiz, one of Colombia’s most influential sneaker content creators, highlighted how New Balance has managed to stay at the top of trends, not just with its advanced technology but also with collaborations that elevate sneaker culture. Finally, Mariandre Gonzalez, always innovative and avant-garde, spoke about how True represents an evolution in streetwear, adapting to the demands of an audience seeking authenticity and style in equal measure.
What we witnessed at Panama Fashion Week 2024 this year is a testament to how athletic fashion has transcended its traditional role to become an essential part of contemporary lifestyle. New Balance, with its ability to seamlessly blend comfort and sophistication, is leading this revolution, collaborating with brands and designers who are reimagining what it means to wear sneakers in everyday life.
For CUBEL, True, and the other designers who participated, this event provided a platform to showcase how designer pieces can fuse with technology and functionality without losing their creative essence. And for us, it was a unique opportunity to be behind the scenes, observing how magic happens before the runway lights even come on.
