17 September 2026 |
The Colombian brand made its Spanish runway debut.
Chances are you’ve seen Agua by Agua Bendita out in the wild, even if you didn’t realize it. The Colombian brand, founded by Catalina Álvarez and Mariana Hinestroza in 2018, has steadily built an American following, stocked at the likes of Net-a-Porter, Bergdorf Goodman, Bloomingdales, and Nordstrom to name a few. Beloved for its feminine designs that embrace color, embroidery, and beading, the brand is recentering craftsmanship from its traditional Eurocentric lens and supporting a generation of artisans domestically. For Álvarez and Hinestroza, a decade of success is just the beginning of their plans. The next big milestone? Stage a full blown runway show at Madrid Fashion Week, which the duo did on Tuesday.
Florals for spring might be a cliché but for Agua by Agua Bendita, it’s far from a meme. Instead, it’s a love letter to the country the two call home. The spring 2027 collection, called Florecer, looks at the way flowers have been shown throughout history from Botticelli’s Primavera to the myth of Persephone to botanical history and intertwines it with Colombia’s rich and diverse native flora. Given the country’s climate, it’s no surprise that different species are in season at any given time, making an appreciation for them a year round affair. Guests had a taste of that from the moment they stepped into the space as Agua by Agua Bendita worked with Flowers of Colombia, shipping over 13,000 stems to Madrid. Amid a sea of carnations, chrysanthemums, and alstroemerias, it’s easy to see how the first look, a vivid print of a field in full bloom serves as a direct translation of the room we were sitting in.
Another nod to Colombia heritage comes in the form of the tradition of silleteros of Antioquia. Created by farmers and flower growers, these intricate structures feature flowers cultivated in the region and are carried on the back. This translates into hand-embroidered flowers across dresses, blazers, and knitwear — a celebration of craftsmanship across the artisanal specialties. That appreciation for skilled hands is also evident in the intricate crocheted and beaded pieces. Besides embellishment, the brand also tapped illustrators to create the prints. First rendered in watercolor and hand drawings, they are transformed into the vivid patterns seen on swimsuits, maxi dresses, tanks, billowy blouses, and more.
Of course, being that it’s a fashion show, the occasion called for a little flair. As such, tulle skirts with tutu-inspired volumes and satin ribbons lend dimension and movement as looks billowed down the runway. Organza gloves, straw hats by Maison Ola, and shoes in collaboration with Alexandre Birman round out the accents, capping off the feminine looks. And speaking of flair, Álvarez and Hinestroza had one more trick up their sleeves: a surprise performance by Colombian star Aria Vega. Clad in an embroidered cape, bralette, and high-waisted shorts Vega got the crowd dancing in their seats, proving that Agua by Agua Bendita’s Madrid Fashion Week debut was a success. Now the question is, what’s next? Whatever the future may be, it’ll surely be just as big of a party.
