A Night with Alfredo Martinez at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Mexico 2024

Alfredo Martinez, known for his bold designs that mix elegance with modern edginess, is one of Mexico’s most celebrated fashion designers. His collections often strike a balance between structured tailoring and fluidity, giving a nod to both traditional Mexican aesthetics and futuristic silhouettes. Martinez’s reputation has only grown over the years, and his ability to reinvent classics while maintaining a sense of luxury keeps his name at the forefront of the fashion scene. Naturally, I was excited to see what he would unveil at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Mexico 2024.

The show, inspired by the artist Carmen Mondragón, did not disappoint. What immediately caught my eye were the metallic silver pieces. There was an almost ethereal glow to the cool jackets, paired with chunky silver jewelry that added just the right amount of edge. It felt both futuristic and wearable, a combination Martinez seems to master. But what truly set the stage were the massive, beach-style hats (pamelas), creating a striking contrast to the structured outfits. It was a bold choice that made each model look like they owned the runway.

Speaking of the models, the hair and makeup were another standout. The rockstar vibes were undeniable, with strong makeup accentuating their fierce walks. It was dramatic yet cohesive, adding intensity to the looks.

The flowy dresses, with their effortless grace, juxtaposed the strong metallic pieces, creating a dynamic flow throughout the collection that was mesmerizing to watch.

However, not everything struck the right note for me. Some of the prints, especially the distorted polka dots, felt out of place.

They disrupted the otherwise sleek and polished aesthetic Martinez had built up. I couldn’t see the coherence between those prints and the rest of the collection, I could see the vision of some of Mondragn’s paintings patterns in those pieces but for me they were a slight miss with the rest of the looks.

Similarly, some of the bucket hats didn’t quite hit the mark. While the pamelas made a bold statement, the bucket hats felt underwhelming in comparison.

That said, there were still many looks I could see real people wearing and making a statement with. One unique highlight of the evening was a virtually created dress inspired by a Johnnie Walker cocktail, reminding us that tech and fashion are increasingly merging in unexpected ways. Johnnie Walker, a sponsor of the event, added a touch of sophistication to the evening, tying together luxury fashion and high-end spirits in a seamless blend.

In the end, Alfredo Martinez’s collection was daring, modern, and captivating, though not without a few hiccups. But that’s the beauty of fashion: t’s subjective, it’s bold, and above all, it’s a reflection of the times. And this show? It was an unforgettable night.

P.S.  men’s pieces were just perfection.