Lines We Love: Johanna Ortiz

Unafraid of making a statement, Johanna Ortiz’s designs boast bold prints, boisterous ruffles and dramatic silhouettes. Her flirty style is feminine yet balanced, relying on distinctive necklines and shoulders, Latin vibes, dramatic volumes and vibrant colors – bringing that salsa feel and appeal to women all over the world.

Ortiz studied fashion design in the United States (at the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale and Parsons School of Design) and after graduation, returned to her native Colombia to start her own couture label – the beginnings of what has become a vibrant collection of gowns and separates with an emphasis on evening wear and dramatic flourishes.

While the label launched back in 2001, it was her SS15 collection, “Nativa”, presented at Colombiamoda (Colombia’s Fashion Week) that catapulted her into fashion stardom and made her signature off-the-shoulder top an Instagram favorite.

Ortiz has always believed that showing off your shoulders and neck is sexier than a tight dress and this reflects in her brand’s ethos, which couldn’t be more on point: ‘Feminine, festive, and effortlessly elegant.’