Ten Puerto Rican designers debut 1st national brand P.ERE

18 Sep '14

2 min read

A group of ten Puerto Rican designers have joined forces to launch the country’s first-ever collective fashion brand titled P.ERE which aims to promote the island’s growing fashion design industry and boost the overall local economy.

The designer collaborative includes names like Ámbar Sánchez, Andrés González, Jaer Cabán, Lisa Thon, Norma Domínguez, Richard Cotto, Yanira Maldonado, Wilberto Pérez and Tatzy.

Supported by the Puerto Rico Trade and Export Company and Department of Economic Development and Commerce, the national label has been created on the same lines as the country’ five-year economic roadmap.

Frankie Chévere, the executive director of Puerto Rico Trade and Export Company, said in a statement, “Puerto Rico is a global leader in the fashion industry with local designers having received international recognition, including Stella Nolasco and Luis Antonio who showcased their designs at New York Fashion Week 2014. P.ERE will help us create jobs in an industry that already has exceptional homegrown talent.”

Alberto Bacó-Bagué, the Secretary at Puerto Rico Department of Economic Development and Commerce, also stated, “We are promoting our well-recognized fashion industry as an opportunity to put Puerto Rico on the map in a key growth market and put our strong skilled workforce to work.”

“We are establishing production alliances with local apparel manufacturing companies to increase our exports, add jobs and become a key player within the multi-million dollar fashion industry,” he adds.

The brand’s ready-to-wear designs that have been collaboratively produced by local textile manufacturers and designers include fashionable, comfortable everyday pieces at affordable prices. The ranges are available for sale till November, 2014 at P.ERE’s outlet in Plaza Las Américas shopping mall. The Department of Economic Development and Commerce expects to make the collection available worldwide by 2015.

Known as a well-established textile manufacturing destination and entrepreneurial incubator, Puerto Rico’s apparel industry employs more than 10,000 highly skilled workers in 80 factories. (PB)

Fibre2fashion News Desk - India