ETIQUETA LATINA

ECUADOR

Is it true that you have been inspired by the Ecuadorian ladies who work with straw to create

hats in the streets of Cuenca? Carolina Andrade: “Absolutely! The culture of those women has been handed down for generations, and it’s been a really strong and constant reference for me. But I think that my knowledge and study of Italy’s fashion tradition has been very important too. Essentially, the underlying idea of Etiqueta Latina springs from the desire to combine this dual inspiration.” Why do

you think Italian and Ecuadorian style and tradition go so well together? “Because they’re both ‘Latin’, basically dating back to the same origins. I think that the name I’ve chosen for the brand perfectly re ects this double soul and research of mine.” What role does traditional craftsmanship play in your

production? “It’s a totally key ingredient. Each hat is the result of hours of work, which often make part of the daily routine. The unique artisan skill of combining technical knowledge, tradition and history – in other words of preserving culture – makes this a fundamental element of the brand.” What creation has really

made you happy? “Etiqueta Latina was born less than a year ago, but it’s a genuine source of satisfaction for me to see people’s reactions to the colours, materials and expressiveness of our products. Perhaps the biggest surprise has been the really enthusiastic reaction from the Asians.” •

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