Fashion

LATIN AMERICAN FASHION SUMMIT RETURNS

Published on October 30, 2025

TO THE MIAMI DESIGN DISTRICT, SHOWCASING THE VIBRANT LEADERS OF INDUSTRY TALENT THIS NOVEMBER

The 7th Edition of Latin American Fashion Summit (LAFS) will take place November 2 – 4, 2025, at The Moore Building in Miami’s Design District. Recognized as the leading platform accelerating Latin American fashion and creative businesses, LAFS unites designers, founders, retailers, investors, and media for three days of curated programming and global visibility.

Latin American Fashion Summit (LAFS), the global, female-founded platform and force for Latin American fashion and design, returns to Miami Design District for the fourth consecutive year, marking its most dynamic edition yet. Founded in 2018 by Estefanía Lacayo and Samantha Tams, LAFS will take place November 2 – 4, anchored once again at The Moore Building, which also serves as a proud sponsor and host venue for the past four years.

The 2025 program will convene top industry leaders – including retailers such as Net-A-Porter, Moda Operandi, Shopbop, Revolve, The Webster, Kirna Zabete, Saks Global and more to address key themes driving the future of fashion, including cross-border retail, artificial intelligence, sustainability, and brand storytelling – while offering Latin talent direct access to new markets, partnerships, and investors.

Throughout the three days, panel discussions, fireside chats, and networking sessions will engage attendees on key industry topics. Some panels and workshops during the summit include Monetize Your Influence led by ShopMy with Tiffany Lopinsky, Co-Founder/President of ShopMy, Building The Dream Brand led by April Henning, President of Moda Operandi and Jonathan Simkhai, Founder of SIMKHAI along with additional panels including a spirited conversation with Craig Robins, CEO of Dacra – Miami Design District.

This year, LAFS is also placing a strong emphasis on wellness, beauty, and longevity, with Natura Bissé, one of the summit’s leading sponsors, curating a series of exclusive masterclasses and treatments designed to elevate the experience beyond fashion and highlight the importance of self-care and wellbeing within the creative community.

Disney will also power a dedicated panel at the Summit, reinforcing its commitment to creativity and innovation within the fashion and entertainment industries. In addition, Disney will host a student meet & greet to highlight career pathways and inspire the next generation of talent, as well as present a museum-style pop-up exhibition that immerses attendees in the brand’s legacy of storytelling and cultural impact.

Beyond the annual event, LAFS has evolved into a year-round ecosystem that fuels growth for designers and entrepreneurs. Through its Pitch to LAFS competition, mentorship initiatives, retail activations, and editorial content, the platform consistently drives meaningful opportunities for the community it champions. The LAFS podcast further extends this mission, spotlighting powerful stories from designers, entrepreneurs, leaders, and cultural voices across the globe.

PITCH TO LAFS – A PROVEN LAUNCHPAD FOR GROWTH

A highlight of each edition of LAFS, is the “Pitch to LAFS” competition, now recognized as one of the most transformative opportunities for emerging designers in the region. This year’s Pitch to LAFS competition will be evaluated by an exceptional panel of judges, including Karla Martinez, Head of Editorial Content at VOGUE Mexico, Elizabeth von der Goltz, Founding Board Member at RAISEfashion, Johanna Ortiz, Founder and Designer of Johanna Ortiz, Carmen Busquets, Co-Founder of Net-A-Porter, and much more, bringing together top industry leaders and global fashion experts to guide and recognize emerging talent.

Created in 2018 alongside the very first summit, Pitch to LAFS was envisioned as a dedicated space to give brands “that extra push” – the mentorship, access, and opportunities that can unlock international recognition. “Since then, it has been humbling and inspiring to witness the transformation of our Pitch to LAFS winners,” said Estefanía Lacayo, Co-Founder of LAFS. “The ‘before and after’ of each story is living proof of what happens when you give talent the right platform and the right tools. Today, Pitch to LAFS stands as the perfect stage to elevate Latin American designers and bring their voices to the world.” Lacayo continues.

With a proven track record of accelerating growth, Pitch to LAFS has helped launch some of the most exciting names in Latin American fashion, including Baobab, Studio Conchita, Curatoria and more – and has enabled participants to secure international distribution, high-profile collaborations, and significant business expansion. As Samantha Tams, Co-Founder of LAFS, explained: “Pitch to LAFS has proven to be a true catalyst for Latin American brands. Whether winners or not, every participant gains direct access to industry decision-makers, invaluable feedback, and global exposure. Our track record speaks for itself: brands that have come through Pitch to LAFS consistently emerge stronger, more prepared, and better positioned to compete on the international stage.”

CURATED POP UP – A RETAIL EXPERIENCE FOR FASHION ENTHUSIASTS
LAFS has also announced its curated Pop-Up, featuring over 35 hand-selected brands, offering a one-of-a-kind retail experience during the summit, for consumers. The activation is designed to provide designers with exclusive access to a mix of international buyers, press, industry tastemakers, and consumers – fostering meaningful conversations, collaborations, and exposure. Each brand is thoughtfully showcased to highlight its unique aesthetic and design innovation. This Pop-Up exemplifies LAFS’ commitment to bridging talent with global markets while cultivating lasting professional and creative partnerships.

GLOBAL NETWORKING & STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS
Over three days, attendees will experience matchmaking sessions with top retailers, curated dinners, and experiential activations across fashion, beauty, spirits, finance, and entertainment. Partnerships with leading global brands will highlight Miami’s role as a fashion capital bridging Latin America with the U.S. and Europe.

Additionally, Zacapa, the premium main sponsor of spirits at LAFS, will once again present the Visionary of the Year Award during the summit’s closing cocktail ceremony. Marking Zacapa’s 50th anniversary, the 2025 edition of this initiative will hold even greater significance, celebrating both the winner’s visionary work and Zacapa’s enduring legacy.

DEAL-DRIVEN ECOSYSTEM
More than a summit, LAFS is a year-round ecosystem that extends beyond its flagship event. Through its education platform, mentorship programs, editorial content, and retail experiences, LAFS creates measurable outcomes – distribution, collaborations, and growth opportunities for Latin American talent.“This year, LAFS raises the bar on meaningful connections and measurable outcomes. We’re bringing the most ambitious founders, retailers, and partners together to open new markets for Latin talent and to prove that culture and commerce can scale hand in hand.” – Samantha Tams, Co-Founder, LAFS

As LAFS prepares to welcome its international community to Miami’s Design District, it reaffirms its role as both a cultural convener and a business accelerator. With an expanded agenda, strategic partnerships, and a renewed focus on innovation, LAFS continues to set the standard for how Latin American fashion connects with the world. This November, attendees can expect not just conversations – but concrete opportunities that will define the future of the industry.

This year’s sponsors include: Miami Design District, The Moore Miami, Zacapa, Natura Bissé, Disney, Kering, Granado, Shopmy, Foundrae, Maison Perrier, Mr. C Hotels, Istituto Marangoni, Zingara, Shelborne by Proper, Moxy Wynwood and SER.

For more information and to register your attendance, visit www.lafs.com

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About Latin American Fashion Summit:

Founded in 2018 by Estefanía Lacayo and Samantha Tams, Latin American Fashion Summit (LAFS) has evolved from a boutique gathering into the definitive global gateway for Latin American fashion. Today, LAFS stands as a deal-driven ecosystem that accelerates the growth of creative businesses through its annual summit, the Pitch to LAFS competition, curated retail pop-ups, strategic partnerships, mentorship, and educational programming. Rooted in community and fueled by innovation, LAFS continues to expand its reach across the Americas and beyond, building bridges that not only spotlight Latin heritage and craftsmanship but also create lasting business outcomes that define the future of fashion.