Isidra Store Founder Monica Gallese Launches Her Own Brand, Fortuna

When it comes to Latin American fashion brands, names like Silvia Tcherassi, Farm Rio, Selva Negra and Cuyana have risen to the top of the fashion world. But even still, it can be hard to discover new Latin American fashion labels abroad, especially if they’re independent.

 

 

In Miami, the Isidra concept store is the go-to for the latest cutting-edge Latin American fashion brands, showcasing collections from De Loreta, Animale Jeans, Namoia, and Triya. Now, Isidra’s founder Monica Gallese has launched her own fashion brand called Fortuna.

 

While she has traditionally helped other designers sell in her boutiques, she’s finally releasing her own attire collection. “I always dreamed of having my own collection,” said Gallese. “I’ve been in love with fashion for so long, and I’ve been a buyer for more than 10 years. So that helped me understand my clients and learn what they want.”

 

 

Fortuna is named after the word “fortune,” or “luck,” in Spanish, but it also means “heritage.” “It’s a brand focused on sharing my cultural heritage,” said Gallese. “I’m Peruvian and Italian, so I always love going back to my roots,” she said. “I wanted to share my Peruvian cultural heritage abroad.”

Her debut resort collection is called “Paracas,” named after the Peruvian village which is just a two-hour drive outside of Lima. The Paracas Bay has ties to ancient culture.

“The area also has the Nazca lines, stunning geoglyphs in the desert, which is one of the most fascinating ancient cultures in Peru,” said Gallese. Her collection boasts hand-sewn pieces made from cotton and linen, as well as found items like seashells. “I wanted to have a quality brand with quality fabrics, quality pieces,” she said. “They are all made with love in a sustainable space by women. It’s a collaborative effort created by a community of women, who each have their say.”

It features red dresses, symbolizing the Peruvian sunset, while nodding to the flamingo, a bird known in and around Peru. She also included green dresses, symbolizing palm trees, and blue items, like swimsuits, symbolizing the ocean. “Paracas Bay is a protected area with a lot of cultural and ancient culture that I kept in mind when designing these prints,” she said.

The collection also includes a pair of seashell sunglasses, and gladiator sandals with heels, which tie up your leg. “We wanted to use seashells in this collection because they reflect the wealth of nature and wildlife at Paracas Bay,” said Gallese. “The seashell sunglasses have this retro 1970s vibe, but it’s also modern with sharp angles and sleek cuts.”

She also created linen corsets with seashells hanging from them. “In many dresses, we use mesh as a key fabric that can be worn up or down,” she said. “My favorite pieces are those that are versatile that you can wear up, with hells, or down, with sneakers.”

Gallese’s collection lifts inspiration from Peru’s most treasured historic textiles, some of which are in the Museo Pedro de Osma in Lima. The museum is known for its diverse collection of colonial art, and its textile history, which dates back 10,000 years. “I wanted to use Peruvian textiles as a way to connect with my cultural heritage, and showcase that in my collection,” said Gallese.

Next up, Gallese is planning on opening an Isidra boutique in Mexico City, and she will collaborate with Faith Connexion to showcase Fortuna’s upcoming collection at Paris Fashion Week in September. She also recently designed an Isidra pop up on the rooftop of the five-star Miraflores Park, A Belmond Hotel, in Lima, and will host a rooftop session every Wednesday night.

A brand for women that is powered by women is the most important part of Gallese’s day to day business. “I have an amazing team of 22 women working with me; I’m touching their lives, and they are touching mine,” said Gallese. “We are growing together, and when you have amazing people that believe in you, the sky’s the limit.”