Everything’s better in Peru

It’s true: all good things (especially in fashion) seem to come from South America. This was further underlined at Expo Peru‘s celebration of all things Peruvian at the Intercontinental Hotel in Toronto last Monday with loads of food, drink and Peruvian fashion.

The fashion community may have been hot on Brasil’s fashion exports for a while now (read: Gisele Bündchen, Alexandre Herchcovitch) but Peru is a hot spot for  the fashionably talented too, namely renowned editorial photographer Mario Testino (born in Lima) and Peruvian-designer-of-the-moment: Sergio Davila.

No surprise from looking at his great menswear–and new womenswear–pieces, that Davila is on  Peoples Revolution‘s roster of represented clients (they also represent Thierry Mugler and a selection of other presitgeous fashion names). In fact, Davila says Kelly Cutrone has really supported his brand and its growth in New York City at Mercedes-Benz fashion week where he showed his spring-summer 2011 collection (“During New York fashion week, she totally took care of me. She made my show amazing.”). While his following in New York is palpable (buyers frequent his showroom on 231 West 39th Street), Davila’s also giving back to Peru by opening stores in forgotten historical landmarks, opening retail stores in the colonial structures (think old hotels and weathered bank buildings) to celebrate–and save–beautiful Peruvian landmarks. He’s also a favourite with New York celebs:  Lucy Liu, Sharon Stone, and Scott Weiland of the Stone Temple Pilots have worn his designs. Davila has also dressed The Veronicas.

“They don’t rely on their stylists to buy something from my store, they just walk in, see something they like and they buy it,” he says. “That’s what I love about make clothes, it’s about making my customers happy.”

He says it, and I believe it. Davila laughs, he gestures, he invites me to fashion week in New York. Instantly, I’m in the palm of his hand. How did that happen? That’s the Davila magic, I’m told. See you in New York!

Sergio Davila at the Intercontinental Hotel

photos: (c) Brian Summers

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