What if I tell you that number 19 noticeable throughout Genaro Rivas’ collection during London Fashion Week wasn’t accidental?
photography by Joseph Oladunni
The story of the collection begins with a 19-hour journey to Huaro with the support of Muray Premium Treks and the Jesuit-led Andean Baroque Route that the designer undertook after a conversation with historian Brendan McMahon from the University of Michigan. He arrived to a place near Cuzco – a small town in Southern Peru, where in a church of San Juan Bautista de Huaro Rivas found two early 19th-century Andean Baroque murals by Tadeo Escalante.
The number 19 echoed throughout the entire project. All guests arrived at No.30 Knightsbridge Hotel on 19th of September with a starting time being – you guessed it correctly – seven pm (19:00) with a small but fully intentional delay, the show started at 19:19.
photography by Joseph Oladunni
In numerology 19 gives you luck, purity, and intuition. 1 and 9 add up to 10, which again adds up to 1, which is the number of the Sun. Like the Sun, the number 19 is full of energy and the spark of life. The play between life and death, purity and demons and new beginnings was clearly noticeable in the entire collection. Most of the pieces were shown with long, tail-style braids which created an interesting colorful contrast with strong makeup and oftentimes darker outfits. “The golden shroud is not an end,” Rivas explains. “It is a process of reinvention, a metaphor for resilience and renewal.”
Rivas wasn’t afraid to play with styles and textures, while focusing on a sustainable approach. Upcycled denim, zero-waste cutting and eco-responsible washing techniques appear alongside reworked silhouettes including men’s trousers refashioned into dresses. Genaro Rivas decided to challenge the status quo in runway outfits by using 3D printed accessories shaped as animal skulls, chest emblems and chandelier-style necklaces.
photography by Joseph Oladunni
It was designer’s fifth consecutive presentation at the event, with his previous collections Alchemy of Ashes (February 2025) and A Feast for Crows (July 2025). Recognised among Forbes Peru’s Top 50 Creatives, Genaro Rivas is a pioneer in sustainability and inclusivity. He created Latin America’s first 3D-printed dress and debuted at London Fashion Week with Beautiful James. He is also a winner of The Visa Young Creators Award by Vogue
Business. He showed his collection during Berlin Fashion Week in 2025, affirming his place as one of Latin America’s most forward-thinking designers.
Definitely looking forward to see his next projects and symbolism behind it!
Writer: Mary Pogwizd (@marypogwizd)
Photography: Joseph Oladunni (@joeloadunni)
