Pepa Pombo: The Key is Staying True to Yourself

The Colombian designer celebrates 30 years in fashion, serving as a role model for future generations.

by: Jose Forteza, Editorial Advisor

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Pepa Pombo Portrait by Andre Oyuela

"The key is staying true to yourself—never imitate, trust your creative side, and work hard."

This is the exclusive advice shared with Spotlight Magazine by one of Latin America’s greatest creative icons: Pepa Pombo.

Marking three decades in the industry, we take a look back at the highlights of a career that has turned Pepa into a true benchmark. The Colombian designer established herself in the international fashion world in 1978, using an unmistakable language of vibrant colors, graphic floral and avian motifs, and flawlessly constructed pieces that seamlessly blend traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design.

Pepa originally studied painting and textile design at a time when the focus was entirely on manual processes, looms, brocades, drapery fabrics, and carpets—aimed more at interior design than apparel. Recognizing an opportunity, the young designer began experimenting with softening these knits to create clothes for herself and her friends. They wanted "to feel comfortable and fresh in soft materials, and that’s how it all started," she recalls. The rest is history; today, the brand boasts boutiques in Spain, the United States, and several Latin American countries. At the helm are Pepa herself and her daughter, Mónica Holguín, who serves as the brand's creative director.

When asked to describe her creations, the designer sums it up perfectly:

"The garments are reversible, versatile, easy to wear, and built to last."

While Pepa Pombo is proudly Latin American, its appeal is truly global, shaping its identity around the women who wear it, wherever they may be. The brand embraces its roots—founded by a Colombian designer, with production split between factories in Mexico and Colombia.

Regarding their creative process, Pepa and Mónica develop the shape, texture, color, and thickness of each textile before transforming it into a garment. Only then does the artistic side take over: bringing in inspiration and using fashion as a powerful medium of self-expression.

With a 30-year legacy that includes dressing legendary icons like María Félix, Pepa Pombo remains an essential and irreplaceable name when talking about Latin American fashion.