Agua by Agua Bendita was founded in 2018 by Catalina Álvarez and Mariana Hinestroza to celebrate Latin American heritage and craftsmanship at the highest standards. Business partners and soul sisters from the swimwear industry, their journey began with their first brand, Agua Bendita, launched in 2003. At the time, they personally crafted each piece using leftover fabrics from a local clothing factory and their grandmothers’ sewing machines—producing just 11 pieces a day in the beginning. Recognizing an opportunity in the luxury market, they created Agua by Agua Bendita—a brand that merges timeless elegance with sustainability, honoring Latin America’s rich culture and biodiversity. They identified a clear gap in the resortwear space, where few luxury brands existed, and saw Latin America as their competitive advantage. Drawing from their roots and over 20 years of experience in brand building and business development, they launched a concept grounded in storytelling and craft—not from scratch, but with deep knowledge and vision. Each piece tells a story of conscious luxury, crafted to share the region’s enchanting beauty with the world. Agua by Agua Bendita is defined by hand-illustrated prints, intricate hand embroidery, innovative finishes, natural and recycled fabrics, and its signature romantic silhouettes.
