Brazil gets all the fashion props in South America, but Magdalena Marcenaro and Denise Razzouk, are two breakout brands defining Argentinean style.

The deconstructed designs from Argentinean Magdalena Marcenaro are right in sync with the current ’80s revival. Contrasting geometric fabrics and a Jackson Pollock-esque use of paint and yarns are Marcenaro’s tools for creating the modern, whimsical collages in her latest collection. Beading, paillettes, top stitching, and other hand worked details on everything from skirts, pants, tops and her popular t-shirts are making these arty pieces highly prized by an edgy clientele who seek out the label.

After having her own boutique and a strong following in Argentina — she designed costumes for local bands, and for videos seen on Latin MTV — the designer, who currently makes frequent trips between Miami (her newly adopted home) and New York, has eyes on America. Confident that her punky and eclectic South American styling will soar stateside, Marcenaro is already selling out at the Hotel Venus in New York.

While Marcenaro channels the beat of the streets, Denise Razzouk’s Old World charm oozes from her patrician handbags. Economist turned designer and perennial jetsetter, Razzouk discovered the lure of well-made leather goods while living in Italy (where she now manufactures her South American-flavored bags). Her latest collection uses coral, bone, coconut, and turquoise mixed in with eyelet cut-outs on natural colored and woven metallic leathers. The result is a mix of ethnic Latina and rarefied European. Razzouk has already developed a cult following for her suede lined fan clutch shape bag that sells on net-a-porter.com and at Harvey Nichols in London.


-Ayana Meade

Photos: Magdalena Marcenaro
Denise Razzouk