Eliana Paco Paredes (born c.1982) is an indigenous Aymara Bolivian fashion designer from

La Paz La Paz (), officially known as Nuestra Señora de La Paz (Spanish pronunciation: ), is the seat of government of the Bolivia, Plurinational State of Bolivia. With an estimated 816,044 residents as of 2020, La Paz is the List of Bolivian cities ...

. In 2016, after exhibiting her

chola The Chola dynasty was a Tamils, Tamil thalassocratic Tamil Dynasties, empire of southern India and one of the longest-ruling dynasties in the history of the world. The earliest datable references to the Chola are from inscriptions dated ...

designs at the Bolivia Fashion Week in June, she achieved recognition in New York City, participating in the September fashion week.

Biography

Originally employed as a secretary in La Paz, Eliana Paco was inspired by her mother, the artisan Cecilia Paredes, to turn to fashion. After receiving the necessary training, she began designing clothes in the local ''cholita'' tradition in 2005. As a result of increasing demand for the local style known as ''chola paceña'', she introduced new colours and textures. In 2016, the producer Pierre Dulanto invited her to participate in the September New York Fashion Week. The collection known as ''Pachamama'' (Mother Earth) was presented by 12 international models. It was the first time cholita fashions had been shown in New York. The indigenous chola women in La Paz are known for their bowler hats, ''mantas'' (shawls), ''polleras'' (skirts) and ''enaguas'' (petticoats).

Luis Revilla Luis "Lucho" Revilla (born 1972 in La Paz, Bolivia) is a Bolivian politician who has been the mayor of La Paz since 31 May 2010, succeeding Juan del Granado. Before becoming mayor, he worked over ten years for the city. He is married to Mari ...

, the mayor of La Paz, was proud to see Paco's designs had been shown at the New York Fashion week. He expressed the hope that "her designs, which reflect the identity of local woman from La Paz, generate a trend in the global fashion industry." Interviewed for

National Geographic ''National Geographic'' (formerly the ''National Geographic Magazine'', sometimes branded as NAT GEO) is a popular American monthly magazine published by National Geographic Partners. Known for its photojournalism, it is one of the most widely ...

, Paco explained that her designs were not only sold at her store in La Paz but were sent to regions throughout the country. They are also exported to other South American countries and to Spain and Italy.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Paco, Eliana Living people 1982 births People from La Paz Bolivian fashion designers Bolivian women fashion designers Bolivian women in business