How this Latin designer redefined the traditional Poncho

Anciela presents new pieces at her London Summer Show.

Anciela and I spoke for the first time back in April this year.

I call her Anciela, just like her sustainable luxury womenswear label, but in fact, I’m referring to Jennifer Droguett, who has Colombian and Chilean origins and is based in London.

Since we last talked, she has continued to grow her brand through various collaborations, including a Phygital Pop-Up with Seamm at London Fashion Week, where she created an AR retail experience.

Next up is the show she recently held at the Southbank Centre to present her latest collection, 'Echoes of Earth.' This public space transformed fashion into an immersive experience, even inviting the audience to participate during the show.

And the pieces that caught my eye the most? The four ponchos that spelled out the letters HOPE.

In the words of the designer:

The ponchos were created with a no-waste principle, using the entire width of the fabric. The letters are the inner part and the outline of the letter. Everything was tested with mock-ups. Playing with these limitations would give them a very unique look, and they could be worn in 20 different ways.

The word HOPE spelled with the Ponchos. Picture courtesy of Anciela.

Letter P, worn by Nao Zaragoza, Mexican curator based in London. This photoshoot was not part of the show at Southbank Centre, but as soon as I saw these pictures on Nao’s profile taken by JC Candanedo, I knew I had to share them. I’ll leave the rest of the pics in the Substack chat for paid subscribers.

Letter E of the Poncho at the show. Picture by Naomi Ngoo.

Anciela also kindly shared a little bit of the process behind the ponchos with me:

Also among my favorite from her show were the two heart-winged looks, made with silk vintage deadstock fabric from designer Allegra Hicks.

According to Anciela:

They're actually somewhere between little wings and broken hearts, and it starts with this idea that we are an ecosystem, depending on and complementing each other. It was also inspired by that twin look, dreams, and pajamas, the 1920s, and that sense of romanticism. And with the pillow, it’s a nod to Viktor and Rolf, where my journey into the fashion world began.

Picture by Naomi Ngoo.

Picture by Naomi Ngoo.

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