Luxury Designer and Creative Entrepreneur Elsie Méndez Debuted Her New Latin Luxury Vision at Vogue’s Iconic Miami Swim Week Runway
Elsie Méndez is a Colombian-born creative, entrepreneur, author, and fashion curator based in Naples, Florida. With a career that spans television, radio, publishing, jewelry, fashion, and luxury retail, Elsie has built a world defined by beauty, resilience, elegance, and storytelling.
Elsie has also been designing jewelry for over 20 years, creating distinctive pieces that reflect her love for elegance, symbolism, color, and timeless beauty. Her jewelry designs have been showcased throughout the United States and at the prestigious Ritz-Carlton in Naples, establishing her as a creative voice with a refined eye for detail, craftsmanship, and statement luxury.
As the founder of Elsie in Naples, her boutique located inside The Perry Hotel Naples, Elsie curates and creates fashion pieces that celebrate individuality, femininity, and the art of standing out. Her collections bring together influences from Italy, Spain, Latin America, and Colombia, blending resort elegance, artisan craftsmanship, statement accessories, and wearable art.
For Miami Vogue Swim Week, Elsie Méndez presents a vision inspired by the sensuality of the Caribbean, the richness of Latin culture, and the sophistication of women who dress with confidence and soul. Her creative direction reflects a woman who is vibrant, powerful, spiritual, and unapologetically unique.
This collection is presented under the creative concept of Elsie Méndez, powered by Hernán Zajar, bringing together Elsie’s boutique vision and Latin fashion sensibility with the artistry and couture experience of internationally recognized Colombian designer Hernán Zajar.
Elsie’s work is not mass-produced. It is personal, expressive, and intentional — designed for women who want more than clothing. They want emotion, story, confidence, and presence.
You are a world-renowned luxury designer. What can we find at Elsie in Naples?
At Elsie in Naples, we offer much more than fashion—we offer a curated lifestyle experience. Located inside The Perry Hotel Naples, our boutique brings together luxury resort wear, designer accessories, handcrafted jewelry, and unique pieces that celebrate elegance, individuality, and the spirit of travel. Every item is personally selected to reflect a sophisticated yet effortless lifestyle inspired by coastal living, global influences, and timeless femininity. My goal has always been to create a space where women can discover pieces that make them feel confident, beautiful, and authentically themselves.
You unveiled your latest collection at Espacio Vogue Miami Swim Week. Tell us about your Latin Luxury Collection.
The Latin Luxury Collection is a celebration of our cultural heritage through the lens of contemporary luxury. It was inspired by the vibrant energy, sensuality, and artistic richness of Latin America. The collection combines fluid silhouettes, handcrafted details, luxurious fabrics, and bold colors that evoke both sophistication and freedom. Every piece was designed to tell a story—one of confidence, femininity, and connection to our roots. I wanted to create a collection that feels globally relevant while remaining deeply proud of its Latin identity.
Photo Credit : Alex Luna
How does your collection embody the sensuality of the Caribbean?
The Caribbean is a feeling as much as it is a place. Its warmth, colors, rhythm, and natural beauty inspired every aspect of this collection. You can see it in the movement of the fabrics, the lightness of the silhouettes, the vibrant palette of corals, turquoise blues, sun-kissed golds, and earthy neutrals. The collection captures that effortless elegance that Caribbean women naturally embody—confident, radiant, and free. I wanted every garment to feel like a gentle ocean breeze and every look to evoke the romance and vitality of tropical life.
Photo Credit : Alex Luna
How special was your collaboration with Hernán Zajar? What does this collaboration mean for the future?
Collaborating with Hernán Zajar was truly an honor. Hernán is one of the great visionaries of Latin American fashion, and his artistry, creativity, and couture expertise brought an extraordinary dimension to this project. What made this collaboration special was our shared appreciation for craftsmanship, culture, and storytelling through design.
This partnership represents much more than a single collection. It demonstrates the power of Latin creatives coming together to elevate our voices on an international stage. I believe it opens the door to future collaborations, larger global opportunities, and a continued celebration of Latin luxury as a category that deserves worldwide recognition.
Photo Credit : Alex Luna
Share some of the most significant moments from the experience.
There were so many unforgettable moments. Walking into the Vogue runway knowing that our collection would open one of the most prestigious fashion showcases of Miami Swim Week was incredibly emotional. Seeing the models bring the designs to life, watching the audience connect with the collection, and sharing that moment with Hernán Zajar and my team were experiences I will always treasure.
Another meaningful moment was witnessing the enthusiastic response from industry leaders, media, buyers, and fashion enthusiasts who recognized the authenticity and elegance behind the collection. It was a beautiful affirmation that Latin luxury has a powerful place in the global fashion conversation.
What is next?
This is only the beginning of an exciting new chapter. We are expanding the Elsie Méndez brand through new fashion and jewelry collections, strategic collaborations, and international opportunities that will allow us to reach a broader audience. I am also focused on continuing to grow Elsie in Naples as a destination for luxury fashion and lifestyle.
Most importantly, I want to keep creating pieces that inspire women to embrace their individuality, celebrate their heritage, and express themselves with confidence and grace.
You can explore our latest collections and learn more about our brand through our website and social media platforms:
Website: https://elsieinnaples.com/
Instagram: @elsieinnaples
