Roots by Liliana Ávila: a study in self love and pride in her origins

The talented Venezuelan fashion designer talks about her story and the turn that allowed her to create a new collection inspired by her beginnings in design.

Liliana Ávila is a lawyer by training, a graduate of Universidad Católica Andrés Bello in Caracas, but her real reason for being has always had to do with art, fashion and trends. After studying interior design in Boston and trying to convince her parents that this was her destiny, in 2005 the designer went through a struggle between life and death that showed her she had to fight not only to survive but to be who she really is, without pleasing society but staying true to her own essence.

That was when she decided to channel her DNA by designing her first capsule, called Arte 101, a collection of roughly 30 handbags, unique pieces, all embroidered and worked on by her. The show was inspired by her favourite works of art. The designer recalls that as a child she was very close to her father and that their outings were always to galleries or art museums, which she considers a great contradiction, having grown up surrounded by art in a family that did not support her projects or her artistic interests. "My father collected art," she adds.

Today the Venezuelan designer presents Roots, her new collection, born of the need to connect with her beginnings. "In these 17 years of design, specifically in leather goods, I have tried to explore different textures, materials, styles and techniques, but you always return to your essence," she says, showing that her DNA is the sophistication of the tropics and Latin American magical realism.

In these 17 years of design, specifically in leather goods, I have tried to explore different textures, materials, styles and techniques, but you always return to your essence

From the story

Twenty years ago Latin America and its roots were not a source of inspiration in fashion. Today Liliana thinks they have become fashionable, something she finds uncomfortable since she always used her roots as a reference in creating her pieces.

This collection is a very particular capsule, built around characteristics of literary characters, specifically from The House of the Spirits, in Clara del Valle and the Trueba family. It is also inspired by what Liliana describes as her favourite imaginary place, Macondo, and by the genuinely eclectic elegance of Queen Elizabeth II.

It is a collection that translates into femininity, elegance and the delicacy present in each of its pieces, inspired by fashion that endures and seeking to bring out the independent woman who is aware of her inner beauty.

It comprises nine different models, seven of them drawn from her most emblematic best sellers, such as the Bora Clutch and the Messenger adapted for a younger generation. Those seven main templates are reworked in emblematic materials and textures that connect us immediately with Latin America, textures that speak of the true DNA that represents us. The designer also adds two new templates called Macondo and Clara, which give a special touch to this select collection.

In this proposition we see classic, modern and daring styles converge perfectly, translating into her true essence. They are conceived and made with minimalist cuts, with the needs of different generations in mind. The style is sophisticated and elegant, and lets her connect a diversity of tastes that in the end are always tied to femininity, simplicity and elegance.

Experience the femininity and elegance present in every piece of Liliana Ávila's new collection.