Vogue Latin America’s Editor-in-Chief Loves Esteban, Budget Clothes and Fashion Blogs

MEDELLIN, COLOMBIA: Eva Hughes, editor in chief of Vogue Latin America, is a woman who can infuse vavavoom into the most androgynous of models (imagine a cross between Carine Roitfeld and Eva Mendes).

Fashionista caught her at the end of Esteban Cortazar’s triumphal show for retailer Exito, which kicked off Colombian Fashion Week 2010 on Monday night. She told us all about the power of budget clothes, Latin American women today and fashion blogs.

What did you think of Esteban’s show?

Eva Hughes: The collection is absolutely fantastic for Exito, it’s young and dynamic. But more importantly, it has a Parisian feel yet was made in Colombia–so it is amazing because it is bringing customers to a local store, and to get closer to designers from their countries. Add a good price to that…what more can you ask?

What did you like about the clothes?

I just love the coats, especially the leather jackets! Also, I liked the leggings with embellishments as they can be worn in different ways, and adapt to various body types. The styling, detailing and accessories gives a subtle French touch, yet overall the collection remains a very international one.

What does this say about Colombian women today?

Young Latin American women today are very sensual, sexy and have a strong personality. They like to travel and are very international–yet they still have a local flair, and are proud of their country.

And is the interest in fashion evolving? What is this due to?

Yes, there is more interest in fashion, because of the Internet. Fashion blogs and websites have brought fashion to people who would never have been able to access it otherwise, which is a wonderful evolution.