Gala de Angeles 2024, in its third edition, was dedicated to reviving hope and enriching the lives of older adults. The Latin Angels Foundation, hosted by the famous Bolivian fashion designer Rosita Hurtado, presented a charity event on March 1st in Miami with much fashion and glamour.
The Gala de Angeles
Rosita Hurtado during Gala de Angeles 2024 by Latin Angels Foundation
The main objective of the evening was to raise funds for a new “Center of Hope” in Bolivia. The proceeds from the evening will be used to build a new care center for seniors in Concepción, within Santa Cruz, Bolivia. The center will provide support, education, and training for seniors, hopefully enriching the quality of life for older people and strengthening community ties.
Rosita Hurtado presents her latest collection "Reflections", during Gala de Angeles
Rosita Hurtado, one of the main sponsors for the evening, stated, “It will be a center that will support older people emotionally and pragmatically. I had a chance to visit another location and fell in love with the stories and excitement these older people presented. Some people have been forgotten by their families but still stay smiling, and others have happy stories.” Nonetheless, Rosita sincerely wants to help them with her passion and energy. Hearing her speak about how important this project is for her was a pleasure.
Rosita Hurtado presents her latest collection "Reflections", during Gala de Angeles
Designers and corporate supporters presented their latest collections. In addition, the Bolivian plastic artist Roxana Hartmann exhibited some of her art and donated one to the Foundation, which was auctioned off among attendees.
Rosita Hurtado: Reflections
Rosita is a famous fashion designer and entrepreneur with five clothing and business channels. Her work has been featured at New York Fashion Week, Miami Fashion Week, and Paris Fashion Week. Rosita is an avowed philanthropist and artist who has been successful for the past four decades. That night, Rosita presented a new collection named “Reflections.’
Rosita Hurtado presents her latest collection "Reflections", during Gala de Angeles
Assisting her in presenting her fashions was fashion producer Carlos Pardo. Carlos, also from Bolivia, has a persuasive, creative vision with impeccable style. Carlos has been a massive influence in the Bolivian fashion industry and has established himself as an eminence gris for Bolivian artists. Known for his exceptional eye, Carlos helped emphasize the artistry of Rosita’s work, all while highlighting the collection’s elegance.
Salar de Uyuni: The Inspiration
“Reflections” was inspired by Bolivia’s Salar de Uyuni, the world’s largest salt flat. It is considered one of South America’s most extreme and remarkable vistas. The last stretch for more than 4,050 square miles of the Altiplano. They were left behind by evaporated prehistoric lakes with thick crusts of salt extending to the horizon.
Rosita Hurtado presents her latest collection "Reflections", during Gala de Angeles
Nearby lakes overflow at certain times of the year, and a thin layer of water transforms the flats into a placid sea with stunning sky reflections. This beautiful and otherworldly terrain is also a lucrative salt and lithium extraction site. The harsh beauty and desolateness of Salar de Uyuni make for an incredible inspiration with the transparent whites, blues, and grays of the salts and water. But the flats also present incredible bursts of color as the sun reflects across the land in luscious oranges, reds, and purples.
Rosita Hurtado presents her latest collection "Reflections", during Gala de Angeles
Rosita’s designs are typically more eveningwear, and she did not disappoint. Her dresses focused on ethereal fabrics and brilliant sequins magically reflecting every light source. Her runway started with an entertainer in one of Rosita’s famous bridal dresses singing “Ave Maria” as another model presented a contemporary interpretive dance, all while wearing a stunning white-on-white textured ball gown. The collection only got more impressive afterward.
Standout Looks
One of the standout dresses was a transparent body suit in a translucent, watery turquoise. The suit had hundreds of delicate turquoise butterflies attached, with light rose sequins connecting the butterflies. A long flowing train in shades of the watery turquoise completed the look.
Another gorgeous outfit was an exaggerated a-shape dress in ombre shades of blue. Although the dress was made from a single piece of fabric, the colors seamlessly transitioned. A silver shade at the top of the flowing gown morphed into a royal blue. It was wonderfully constructed and gorgeous in how it flowed down the runway.
Rosita Hurtado presents her latest collection "Reflections", during Gala de Angeles
Rosita once again demonstrated why she has been a fashion leader for decades. Her clothes exude glamor and are absolutely eye-catching. Nonetheless, her “Reflections” collection also experimented with pantsuits as well as the transparent and intense colors found in the Salar de Uyuni. Rosita stated, “This collection celebrates Bolivia and its magical natural environments. The salt flats represent my rich and diverse culture that needs to be protected. I wanted to celebrate the Salar de Uyuni and highlight why they must be conserved.”
Rosita Hurtado presents her latest collection "Reflections", during Gala de Angeles
Rosita astounded the audience with her designs and impeccable construction. This evening has us eager to learn what is next for her. Rosita is learning more and more about fashion sustainability and promises us more beauty with a consciousness for the future.
Valery Ebner
Valery Ebner is an incredibly talented artist and model who also happens to create some exciting fashion. In the past, Valery has modeled for NYC Fashion Week. But in addition to modeling, Valery is also a talented painter and fashion designer.
Her aesthetic is based on beautifully saturated colors presented in a collection of cocktail and evening dresses. The designs on her dresses, also available as wall art, are color-blocked shapes inspired by psychedelic designs. The effect is cartoon-like but abstract. One could imagine Pucci loving these tropical flirty clothes as an homage.
Valery Ebner during Gala de Angeles 2024
Valery’s dresses looked fresh, bursting with intense color, yet still elegant. A crowd favorite has a name, “Ayahuasca.” This dress was a combination of a bandeau top tied in the back with a long full skirt. The colors were gorgeous: chartreuse, emerald, sunny yellow, and deep oranges. The motif of “Ayahuasca” was tropical, with abstract versions of leaves, tree trunks, and the sun. Valery’s clothes were sophisticated but also flirty and artistic.
Mauro Junior
Mauro Junior, a menswear designer, presented a series of men’s evening wear and suits. Their highly original looks included bursts of color in between highly textured black suits. Mauro was unafraid to use fur collars and variations of traditional neckties and hats to supplement his collection. One standout look was worn by celebrity model Daruma, who wore a deep, fruity orange blazer matched with tight turquoise blue trousers. The suit was a great example of Mauro’s love of experimenting with suits while creating a uniquely Miami vibe.
Mauro Junior during Gala de Angeles 2024
