Nayrouz Olarte, a dynamic entrepreneur and philanthropist, is taking her passion for fashion to a global stage. Known for her transformative leadership as the former President of the Board of Orlando International Fashion Week and founder of the HER Foundation, Olarte proudly announced the launch of the International Fashion Federation (IFF). This innovative organization aims to revolutionize how cities are developed by seamlessly integrating fashion, tourism, and hospitality.
Unlike other fashion organizations that primarily focus on global trade, designer recognition, and educational support, the IFF will connect the fashion industry directly with the key business interests that drive a city’s prosperity. Olarte’s vision is bold and far-reaching. “By propelling fashion into a cultural conversation, we can form a collective interest and impact communities just as the performing arts have done for centuries. I believe that fashion can bring the world together because it’s a universal language of self-expression; it’s the art of our everyday lives,” she said.
The IFF recognizes the profound impact fashion can have on a city’s culture, tourism, and luxury markets. “Infusing fashion into the fabric of a city has a profound impact on its culture, tourism, and luxury markets. Florida is the second most valuable real estate market in the country, and we envision matching that value from an art, fashion, and cultural perspective. I’ve seen firsthand how an emphasis on fashion can revitalize a city, and I’m passionate about expanding this work throughout Florida and then into other parts of the world,” Olarte continued.
Her extensive experience in the culinary industry, her pivotal role at Orlando International Fashion Week, and her founding of the HER Foundation have laid the groundwork for this ambitious vision. In recent years, Olarte has dedicated herself to non-profit endeavors, launching the HER Foundation and hosting the inaugural HER Gala in partnership with Jackie Siegel and Victoria’s Voice Foundation. The success of this fashion show gala led to her appointment as CEO of Orlando International Fashion Week, where she demonstrated the powerful intersection of fashion, luxury lifestyle, hospitality, and tourism in Orlando.
The IFF’s first project, “Glamour for Good,” will be a show benefiting NonPareil students with Autism. Business leaders, city planners, and innovators are invited to join the IFF as founding trustees or members, shaping a future where fashion is central to urban development and cultural enrichment. This is a unique opportunity to lead a movement that uses fashion as a catalyst for social transformation and economic growth.
