Patricio Campillo makes his debut at New York Fashion Week and defends Mexican tradition

New York Fashion Week kicks off on Friday, with designers showcasing their spring/summer collections, from traditional brands like Tommy Hilfiger to newcomers like Mexican designer Patricio Campillo.

Campillo will make his NYFW debut on Saturday at the Public Hotel with a menswear line he says is inspired by Mexican volcanoes and how they can “change a space.”

“The brand’s patterns are based on a suit my grandfather gave to my dad when my dad turned 18, and he gave this suit to me a few years ago,” Campillo said in an interview.

Negotiating his career as a self-taught designer had been difficult without the benefit of another Mexican designer who had already made his way, he said, adding that he hoped his success could help those coming up the ladder.

“Mexico is a place full of talent, full of people who want to work, and I believe that no one grows alone,” said Campillo.

Campillo has already attracted plaudits and celebrity clients, and fashion and beauty writer Asia Milia Ware of New York Magazine's The Cut predicted she'll walk away with even more attention after her NYFW appearance.

“The right look can get you into a retailer, which is a big goal for a lot of these designers,” she said. “Or the right look from an editor can get you into the press, whether it's for a cover or a feature, which can be really dynamic and life-changing for these designers. So it's a big moment.”

This season there are around 60 designers on the official calendar, plus many more off-calendar.

Ware said the most anticipated shows were those of Alaia and Off-White. “They usually show in Paris, but this year they're doing it in New York and they're the two most sought-after tickets for the city this season,” she said.
Bold reds and bold shoulders would be central themes of the collections, he predicted.