With more than thirty years of experience, Federico Visuetti is a great reference as a Panamanian designer of Haute Couture and Prêt – à – Porter for men and women, where he shapes his avant-garde style, with folkloric and cultural prints.
Our special guest Federico Visuetti, is a financier who enrolled in fashion following the advice of a former editor of a prestigious fashion magazine, the support of a client to represent Panama abroad, and thanks to the acceptance and applause of the public. His training comes from Fashion Academies in Miami, New York and Panama, but perseverance and love for our country, is what drives him to continue opening new doors and opportunities in his successful career.
“Culture is everything, dance, theater… They have to see fashion as part of our culture. This is the right moment to boost fashion”, said Visuetti, who is part of the Latin American Chamber of Fashion and Industry Art (CAMIL), an initiative born in Argentina, where Visuetti as vice president works to integrate local Panamanian designers in order to have international exposure and be financially supported by entrepreneurs and contribution of this chamber. Among its projects with CAMIL, there is a fashion show that he wants to organize in Panama very soon, with national and international designers.
How the idea of being inspired by Panamanian culture came up?
“I presented two designs inspired by the Pollera (Panamanian National Dress) with a more avant-garde style for the ‘International Gateway for Peace’ in Mexico. My colleague Cristina Pineda of the Pineda Covalin brand, expressed how rich our folklore is, and asked me if I would design a collection inspired by my culture. This was among my plans, and when I returned to Panama I wanted to be inspired by everything, I knew about folklore and the work of the Pollera. I talked with Professor Edgardo De León Maradiaga to advise me, because one has to research. I painted strokes similar to those sew in the Pollera. It is the tendency with which they identify me most when I present myself ”.
What people abroad see in your creations that impacts them as Panamanian fashion?
“They see an avant-garde style, that’s why I have been nominated as Avant Garde designer in Miami. The public knows that I come from the tropics, but they have seen my abilities by fusing Hindu, Arab or Chinese culture and high folklore fashion, creating advanced trends. I have merged the collections like `Panama Chic´, where I present parts of the Pollera, also Guna and Ngäbe designs, even parts of Zaracundé costumes. But always taking advice from artisans and folklorists. It is a brand in which people identify easily and at the same time promotes Panama. ”
How Panamanian fashion can be promoted and projected more to contribute to tourism and the local economy?
“It is important that the government supports us to create new platforms and be able to exhibit in the best way: with fashion shows. Also with marketing, to promote – through fashion – a country brand, that connects us with potential foreign clients. This will enable foreigners to come and buy Panamanian fashion as it happens in Colombia, Mexico or Brazil. There is a need to create show rooms´, showcasing our creations. That would help a lot, especially if the initiative to show local designs at a section in the International airport, is brought back. Fashion contributes to the local economy, because it is a chain where there are many people behind, such as fabric sellers, clothing manufacturers, artisans … There has to be a network where culture, the chancellery, tourism, commerce and industry and AMPYME (small business organization) participate, they are the ones that see the orange economy”.
How designers contribute to create a country brand?
“Many designers have been working to make Panamanian fashion a country brand. In my case I take orders from other countries because they saw me in their fashion show or on social media networks, and they ask me for a design with Panamanian work. That is why lately I have created more designs with couture folklore, because tourists do not want to buy what is in their country. They wants to take something different, a piece of design by a national artist. ”
