The Latin Ignition at New York Fashion Week

Latin Ignition was a highly exclusive New York Fashion Week event, held by Consuelo Vanderbilt and Emilio Estefan, on Friday September 8th, 2023, at the iconic Guggenheim Museum on 5th Ave.

Arriving at the event on a swelteringly hot and rainy-day, guests attended a red carpet held in the downstairs cafe of the Guggenheim, wine and sparkling water were served as guests mingled, the press interviewed and photographed Consuelo and Emilio on the red carpet. 

(Emilio Estefan, Consuelo Vanderbilt, Los Rabanes)

Walking in I was delighted to see familiar faces in the room, such as award winning photographer/artist, creative influencer and socialite, Luciana Pampalone, her husband, Photographer David Warren, and Style Icon Derek Warburton. As time moved on the small cafe was soon filled with guests grabbing pictures on the step and repeat, while others mingled off the carpet and in the cafe bar area. It was at this point that I made my way to the theater the four Fashion Shows that followed the red carpet were to be held in.  

Alvin Valley, Laura Garcia, Nabys Vielman and Cesar Galindo were the four fashion designers showcasing at Latin Ignition. Each displayed a collection showcasing their talents on the gigantic circular runway that is the theater beneath the iconic spiral of the Guggenheim Museum.

(Photo By Tinu)

 Each collection was expertly crafted, and you could really tell the teamwork that went into making this event happen. Every look had to have the right model, wearing the right garment, with the right hair and the right makeup followed by the right accessories. Every single one of those unspoken New York Fashion Week standards was expertly met here at Latin Ignition. The designers used materials that were visibly of high quality, and not a stitch was out of place. Each and every model displayed a look that came along with hair and makeup tailored, not to all look like they had been stamped the same look over and over but instead was tailored to each individual look and designer. This took the distracting, repetitive and commonly used cookie cutter tact and threw it away, creating a complete look that was appropriate to the outfits and designers. The attention to detail by both designer and event coordinators was displayed as clear as the spotlights that were shining on the models walking down the runway. The shows even closed with a surprise as Natasha Bedingfield walked for Alvin Valley. 

(Natasha Bedingfied backstage with Vincenza Carovillano, Photo Rob Kim Getty Images)

These fashion shows had many spectacular and talented people who were involved in making the magic happen. I spoke to some of them asking them what their experience and highlights were from this event. Let's see what they had to say!

 

Montgomery Frazier

Creative Director

(Ben Mindich, Montgomery Frazier "TheImageGuru", Julie Brown, Photo by Andrew Werner)

"The inspiration was a built-in one, #PromoteLatincreatives at the Guggenheim, delivered to me by Consuelo Vanderbilt & her on-going collaboration with Emilio Estefan. There were so many memorable moments because apparently the Guggenheim had never had a fashion show in their theater before. They almost had to shut down the event because there were so many guests. I loved the fashion show with all the designers; Cesar Galindo, Naby’s Vielman, Laura Garcia and Alvin Valley. I also loved Joseph Alexander from the Edward Morgan Dance Co who played the fashion paparazzi onstage in the Alvin Valley show finale. It was a night to remember! " -Montgomery Frazier

Marco Maranghello

Artistic Director

(Photo of Marco by Ylva Erevall)

"I got a phone call from the Creative Director Montgomery Frazier, to have me as the Artistic Director, and to form the beauty team, as well as following up with Consuelo and the soho muse team. The team of directors we all got to synchronize into the incredible idea of Latin Ignition. I also created the look for our hostess Consuelo, which was amazing because she allowed me to dream without limits. I created that Ideal ponytail for her. I also created the ponytail for the models all from a collection by my partner Eliut Rivera and myself! I used a Milbon Wet Shine Gell Cream and product by Ricardo Rojas that made it easy to pull the hair and execute a perfect ballerina twist bun that could be pulled out into a messy yet under control sexy wavy look with a wet finish that could even be brushed out if needed.

The makeup and hair theme were ballerina style, but each designer had the options to look different if it didn't fit.

We started the show with Cesar Galindo, the models wore clean, girlie and sexy tight ponytails with a natural skin glow. Nabys Vielman ‘s models wore a side ballerina bun, with clean glow makeup and pastel lipstick. Laura Garcia’s models wore slicked back hair on a twisted ponytail elevating the ends of it to be up and clean with beautiful natural and glowing makeup. Alvins models wore their hair down, with natural, messy, sexy waves. A clean skin glow with smoky eyes, many of the models also wore sunglasses, since now he is coming up with his own collection of glass wear as well!

My experience working for the event was an incredible honor bringing the beauty together as well as the skin and hair sponsors and Yli our makeup sponsor. Yli was fabulous and compact with her practical youthful make up line. As well as Klara from the beauty lab with her glowing creams and Eliut’s salon with Japanese MB cream.

It was a wonderful experience in which we all got to work together in the magic of art in the best way a team could be! I feel so lucky to have Vincenza as leading MUA, and Oscar Caballero taking care of Consuelo for the step and repeat as well!

My Personal highlight of the event was the incredible moment when I realized, we had made history with Latin Ignition, having 4 designers back-to-back on the same evening.

It was a fun creative challange making the models look a little different from each designer in so little time. I am so proud of my team, and we all feel so Honored and Grateful to work this event with each other!

We all knew at that moment a Beauty Family was born." -Marco Maranghello

Yli

Ceo of Yli's Love Look

Latin Ignition Makeup Sponsor

(Photo of Yli)

"Marco Maranghello approached me if I wanted to be a part of Latin Ignition as a Makeup Sponsor. My experience working Latin Ignition was lifechanging for sure. It was such an honor having my brand and my makeup line in such an iconic and historic ignition of something so beautiful. Especially it being one that highlights us as Latinos, made it soar beyond my expectations. Especially to be a part of history, knowing that Emilio Estefan, an icon who with Consuelo Vanderbilt produced it, this was really amazing. Working backstage the whole time next to Consuelo and her makeup artist was beautiful, from helping her get dressed to helping her practice her speech in Spanish before getting on stage. Meeting Emilio I can say the least, has changed my life. Knowing my logo was in the step-in repeat was a dream come true for sure as well as to be in the Guggenheim with great companies, sponsors and people. My personal highlight was honestly meeting and speaking with Emilio Estefan. I grew up watching him, and alongside admiring his drive determination and success. The Estefans are inspiring to us Latinos to never give up and keep going and that through believing in your dreams you can achieve anything you set your mind to." -Yli Founder of Yli Love How You Look

Vincenza Carovillano

Lead Makeup Artist

(Vincenza Carovillano with Consuelo Vanderbilt)

"I became involved with Latin Ignition knowing the Artistic Director Marco Maranghello, a celebrity hairstylist. He asked me to join his team as lead makeup artist. I was so honored and of course I said yes.

The best way I can describe the event was that it was exciting and memorable to be backstage with the best of the best in the business. From fashion to makeup, hair, models, everyone behind the scenes was the key to making it all happen. Four top Latin designers, and of course, Consuelo Vanderbilt and Emilio Estefan produced this amazing event. I also had the honor of doing Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter Natasha Bedingfield’s makeup.

The vibe was High Energy and lots of excitement. It was a success, and the end goal was to promote new and talented Latin fashion designers because representation matters." -Vincenza Carovillano

Oscar Caballero

Makeup Artist for Consuelo Vanderbilt

For Latin Ignition

(Marco Maranghello and Oscar Caballero Special Guests at The Latino Music Awards Photographed by Sephoart of Delomejor Agency)

"I was at the event to do Consuelo’s makeup for the day. It is beautiful to see all the Latin designers that were there be celebrated. Emilio, Consuelo and the team did such great job highlighting the talent that was there.

There were so many great moments, but the one that comes to mind was backstage and seeing the smile on Consuelo and Emilio, when all was done and the happiness on their faces after such a successful event, it was priceless." -Oscar Caballero

Consuelo Vanderbilt

(Photo by Andrew Werner)

“We came together because 18 percent of the U.S. market is comprised of Latin Americans, but it’s not given enough attention—it’s not serviced enough.

Emilio is a man that is inspired by discovering talent and helping to nurture talent. SoHo Muse is all about procuring job opportunities, branding, connecting, collaborating, building, and bridging. It’s not just about the designers, it’s about the makeup artists, it’s about the hairdressers...it’s about giving them an extraordinary platform to begin.” -Consuelo Vanderbilt Quoted in Elle.

(Emilio Estefan, Malena Belefonte, Sarafina Belefonte, Amadeus Belefonte and David Belefonte Photo via alamy)

Enter

Marco Maranghello

The Fashion Shows were followed by a grand reception in the Iconic 96 ft spiral rotunda of The Guggenheim Museum and spectacular is an understatement when describing this after party. Guests filled the hall, dancing, enjoying a glass of wine or water and had the ability to freely roam the art within the entire ramp gallery. Latin Ignition was a historic and iconic highlight of NYFW 2023, but again don't take my word for it, lets see what some of the guests had to say!  

(Jean Shafiroff, photo by Andrew Werner)

"Two great personalities, Emilio Estefan and Consuelo Vanderbilt, met to form a platform #latinignition2023 at #NYFW to help Latin designers present their collections, in the majestic Guggenheim Museum and we see them in the company of the great designer Guissepe Signorrini and personalities from the artistic and business world of the big apple. Congratulations to Emilio Estefan and Consuelo Vanderbilt for this great initiative and congratulations to the participating designers." Hope Latino Fashion Week

(Pro Athletes Charles Smith, Jared Harrington, Theo Ratliff, Photo by Andrew Werner)

"It was an energetic fashion scene at Latin Ignition 2023, the fusion of Latin culture and style at the Guggenheim Museum during New York Fashion Week!
💃✨An electrifying experience that celebrated the vibrant Latin fashion movement and set the trends on fire 🔥🌟" Ari S. Goldberg 

(Daniel Rosenstein, Shiv Khemka and Donatella Bordignon CEO of Alexander Wang, Photo via Daniel Rosenstein)

"What an honor it was to be in the company of legends celebrating Latin Culture + Fashion Talent" -Vanessa Scoppes

"Picture this: Consuelo Vanderbilt, a swan-like figure with blonde tresses and gold jewels, is holding court in the Guggenheim Museum amongst old friends and VIPs alongside legendary Latin music producer Emilio Estefan. Last night, the two joined forces for the first time ever with one mission: to highlight Latino designers from around the world and ignite a broader appreciation of what Latin style and fashion are about." - Mario Abad with Elle

(Jonn Nubian YRB Magazine, Photo by Andrew Werner)

"Grammy-winning producer Emilio Estefan united during New York Fashion Week with Consuelo Vanderbilt’s trailblazing social network, SoHo Muse, to present the groundbreaking show “Latin Ignition – The Magic of Art.” Hundreds of notable attendees gathered at Manhattan’s landmark Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum to witness the incredible platform along with Estefan Enterprises, Inc. to present the thrilling work of designers Alvin Valley, Laura Garcia, Nabys Vielman, and César Galindo. The collections whit the runway in the hallowed halls of the art institute as Los Rabanes and DJ Hex Hector performed before a captivated audience." - Park Magazine

(Chris Avery Bennet, Photo by Andrew Werner)

"“Latin Ignition” represented a movement that celebrated the work of some of the most prolific Latino artisans, recognizing that the Latin American demographic comprises approximately 18% of the United States population, making it a significant creative force in the country. Notably, the producers ensured that every contributor, from designers and models to the behind-the-scenes hair and makeup artists, received fair financial compensation, reflecting a profound respect for the arts and fashion industry. Estefan and Consuelo set a groundbreaking example during NYFW, advocating for inclusivity at all levels, which is poised to inspire positive change on a global scale." -Julie Nguyen JCG

"Latin Ignition was an unbelievably inspirational event, and I am thankful to my friend Consuelo for inviting me to experience such an iconic and historic moment that she was participating in. I was also so happy seeing so many familiar, friendly faces I had befriended over the years at NYFW. I look forward to seeing what you do next season." 

-Chris Avery Bennet