OUR TEAM
CONSTANZA ETRO
Latin American Fashion Awards
CREATIVE DIRECTOR | ENTREPRENEUR
Recognized by Forbes Italia in 2020 as “one of the most influential women in Italy,” Constanza has built an illustrious career spanning over 25 years, with a strong focus on nurturing young talent, championing sustainability, and empowering women in the fields of fashion and cinema.
Born in Buenos Aires, Constanza spent 14 years in Mexico City, where she founded Cavalli Comunicación, which quickly rose to prominence as Latin America’s leading communication and creative agency. Her firm collaborated with prestigious global brands such as Louis Vuitton, Ermenegildo Zegna, Puma, Carrera & Carrera, Mercedes Benz, Nokia, and Moët Chandon, among others. Under her leadership, Cavalli Comunicación also established the Latin American Film Festival and the first-ever Chicano Film Festival.
Constanza played a pivotal role as Fashion Editor for Fashion Week Mexico from its inception, supporting the rise of young Latin American designers while celebrating renowned names like Esteban Cortázar, Eduardo Lucero, Agatha Ruiz de la Prada, Custo Barcelona, Pepa Pombo. Her influence extended into Mexican television, where she hosted her own show and received multiple awards for her contributions as both a model communicator and entrepreneur.
In 2006, Constanza married designer Kean Etro of the iconic Italian fashion house ETRO and relocated to Milan. There, she founded and continues to direct the Fashion Film Festival Milano (FFFMilano), that soon became one of the most influential fashion film festivals globally. The festival boasts a jury of industry Icons, including Giorgio Armani, Pierpaolo Piccioli, and the late Franca Sozzani, as well as award-winning directors such as Luca Guadagnino, Matteo Garrone, and Wes Anderson. In 2015, Constanza launched two significant initiatives within the festival: FFFMilano for Women, which gives voice to organizations that champion women’s rights and combat violence against women, and FFFMilano For Green, aimed at promoting sustainability through education and awareness. Fashion Film Festival Milano also became the first film festival of its kind to enter the metaverse, offering virtual screenings, a Web3 contest, and an award ceremony. The festival has premiered influential documentaries, including Franca: Chaos and Creation, McQueen, Peter Lindbergh, Bill Cunningham, Anna Piaggi, and Halston among others.
In November 2023, Constanza launched together with Silvia Arguello the first-ever Latin American Fashion Awards, creating an unprecedented global platform that garnered an impressive 2.8 billion in international media reach and 650 million social media impressions. This first edition was a monumental success, establishing itself as a premier global fashion event celebrating the creativity and talent of Latin American designers and fashion professionals solidifying their influence in the global industry. Latin American Fashion Awards is a biennial platform that includes two years of promotion and international satellites events with global media impact.
Constanza’s influence extends beyond fashion film. She serves as a Board Member of the Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana’s Fashion Trust, a CFDA Fashion Awards Guild Member, and a juror for international projects such as the Black Carpet Awards, Global Photo Vogue, Le Book and Accademia Costume Moda Awards, Accademia del Profumo.
An accomplished speaker, Constanza has participated in numerous conferences, including Vogue Italia Conversations, and has led masterclasses at prestigious institutions like Accademia Costume e Moda, IED University, Marangoni University, and the University of Tokyo.
Her achievements have been recognized with the MCFW Fashion Award for her contributions to the fashion world, presented by the Monaco Fashion Chamber and Monaco’s Prime Minister. She was also featured in the book Circle of Love, created by Sheikha Intisar Al-Sabah of Kuwait, as one of the women transforming the fashion industry.
Currently, Constanza is involved in the Mentorship Milano 2023-2024 project, founded by the Municipality of Milan, which aims to support and empower young women in their professional journeys.
SILVIA ARGÜELLO
Latin American Fashion Awards
CREATIVE DIRECTOR | FASHION DESIGNER | ENTREPENEUR
Contemporary art and fashion, met by a desire to advance and empower women in Latin America, are undeniably Argüello’s greatest passions.
The designer of Cuban-Nicaraguan descent, with over 25 years experience in the fashion industry between Paris and Milan, has worked alongside famous designers such as Emanuel Ungaro and Giambattista Valli. The Designer was founder and creative director of the fashion brand Rosa Clandestino.
Throughout her career, Silvia received numerous prestigious international awards for her fashion and social projects as well as for her celebrity favorite collections. Amongst others, Vogue Italia’s renowned “Who’s on Next” Award; United Nations “Fashion Freedom for Africa” project for the emancipation of African Women in Kenya; “Pelle Italiana” exhibit in the Famous Triennale Design Museum of Milan and “The World of Alcantara” in the city of Los Angeles.
After 25 years between Paris and Milan, Silvia decided to embark on a new journey and founded with Constanza Etro, the first Latin American Fashion Awards, where she has been CEO and Creative Director since 2019.
ANNA DELLO RUSSO
Latin American Fashion Awards
JOURNALIST & FASHION ICON
Described by Helmut Newton as “fashion maniac”, Anna Dello Russo is indeed an eclectic character who lives multiple lives.
Former Editor at Large and Creative Consultant for Vogue Japan, Anna is one of the most influential fashion journalists in the world and one of the first to create a personal brand of herself.
Dello Russo worked in Condè Nast Italia Group for 18 years, starting as a Fashion Editor for Vogue Italia and becoming Editor in Chief of L’Uomo Vogue from 2000 to 2006. In 2006 she became Creative Director of Vogue Japan where she worked until 2020.
Anna is a fashion consultant for renowned fashion brands and works with social media which she has turned into a successful career in Street Style.
Internationally famous for her flamboyant, ever-changing style, Anna Dello Russo is the perfect fashion advocate of excess.
SARA SOZZANI MAINO
Member of the Advisory Board
Latin American Fashion Awards
CREATIVE DIRECTOR FONDAZIONE SOZZANI
INTERNATIONAL BRAND AMBASSADOR CAMERA NAZIONALE DELLA MODA ITALIANA
Creative Director of the Fondazione Sozzani. Sara Sozzani Maino collaborates with many educational institutions and serves on several boards working and creating awareness for a more responsible planet. She is part of the advisory board of the Circular Fashion Summit, in support of the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
To date she is Educational & Scouting Advisor for Vogue Italia, and foundes in 2009 with Franca Sozzani, Vogue Talents. Vogue Talents has been a worldwide project and network supporting independent creative talent.
In collaboration with Altaroma, she curates, since 2005, the “Who is on Next?” competition in support of “Made in Italy”. She regularly attends as a Judge and Consultant in several fashion competitions, including LVMH Prize, the Woolmark Prize, Fashion Trust Arabia, International Talent Support (ITS) and many others. Since September 2018, she has been International Brand Ambassador of the Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana in support of the new generation of designers. She is also part of Camera Fashion Trust founded in 2018 in support of made in Italy designers. In 2019 she launched A New Awareness, a project that aims to create more awareness and consciousness to the younger generation. In May 2021 she received the Positive Change Award from Monte Carlo Fashion Week.
Since 2021, as Creative Director of the Fondazione Sozzani, Sara Sozzani Maino has curated and coordinated projects dedicated to education, responsibility and the next generation of creatives.
CANDELA PELIZZA
Latin American Fashion Awards
MODEL & INFLUENCER
Argentinian model and influencer, Candela Pelizza started her career in Italy and traveled the world modeling for the biggest fashion brands such as Marni, Marras, Pucci, Cavalli, Kenzo, Vera Wang and many more. Candela also collaborated with top photographers such as Bruce Weber, Deborah Turbeville, Michel Comte and Nathaniel Goldberg.
Pelizza became “It Girl” at grazia.it and soon started her regular fashion column «Candela Meets…» at RedMilk magazine where she interviewed influential personalities from the art, fashion, music and design industries.
Candela collaborates as Digital Creative Director and influencer for luxury brands such as Bulgari, Sergio Rossi, Loewe, Valentino, Roger Vivier, Estée Lauder and Calvin Klein.
Candela’s joie de vivre is worldwide known and her projects are a true reflection of her positive state of mind.
JOSE FORTEZA
Member of the Advisory Board
Latin American Fashion Awards
SENIOR EDITOR VOGUE MEXICO AND LATIN AMERICA
Born in Havana of Spanish and Cuban descent, José Forteza has lived in Europe, Dominican Republic and the United States. Currently, is the Senior Editor of Vogue Mexico and Latin America.
He is the Honorary President of FDLA (Fashion Designers of Latin America), and Global ambassador for Universo MOLA. With a Master in Journalism and International Relations, José Forteza has been Curator for Latin America of the World Fashion Week, International Advisor for DAB Bolivia, SCAD speaker, in the United States; Lecturer at ISEM, Spain; and international jury at Barcelona 080, Miami Fashion Week, Los Angeles FW and Dominicana Moda. Likewise, he has been a consultant for Country institutions in several Latin American countries. In addition, he acts regularly as consultant and member of the international jury at fashion events in Europe, the United States, Asia and Latin America. Forteza has also been a consultant for advertising agencies such as Zubi Advertising, in United States.
Forteza began his professional career as a Diplomat as an Attaché Cultural, but he soon derived to the Music Industry as a producer and manager of Jazz artists and Word Music. Simultaneously, he founded the publishing house Ideas Publishing Group, which was later bought by Condé Nast. TV writer , producer and radio host. He has been nominated for an Emmy Award and is a Grammy Award winner. Fluent in English, French and Spanish. Based in Miami.
MA.VE
Latin American Fashion Awards
MADELEINE MARTIN & VANESSA SHEMESH
MA.VE is a PR & communications agency dedicated to growing brands and talents through effective, personalized strategies. Founded by Madeleine Martin and Vanessa Shemesh, MA.VE is known for creating innovative projects that transcend industry boundaries, offering services from influencer marketing and event development to social media strategies and creative direction.
The agency stands out for its cool style and unique approach to PR & communication within the Latin American creative landscape. MA.VE has been well-received, working with brands across Latin America and helping them compete on an international level.
The agency’s goal is to represent and communicate the value of Latin American brands, highlighting their design, craftsmanship, and quality materials. With this vision, MA.VE has expanded to countries such as Panama, Ecuador, Colombia and established connections with brands in Argentina, Chile, Mexico, and Peru. Founded with the dream of helping Latin American brands compete in the global market, MA.VE represents them with a focus on communicating their quality and creativity at both visual and strategic levels.
“Fashion is freedom, expression,
art and revolution.
The thread that holds together
our people in evolution.”
