ANDREA MARQUES
Picked by: Carolina Althaller of WGSN
With 15 years experience as design director for Maria Bonita Extra, the diffusion line of respected designer label Maria Bonita, Andrea Marques left the womenswear brand in 2007 to launch her eponymous line at Fashion Rio’s Autumn/Winter 10 showcase. Since then, Ms Marques has earned 30 stockists across Brazil. “Brazil is gaining more visibility,” said Ms Marques. “But visibility is not enough to achieve international recognition and respect: you need competitive prices, to honour your deliveries and offer quality.”
Trends forecasting agency WGSN certainly believes in Ms Marques’ global potential. “Andrea’s customer is cosmopolitan, independent and knows fashion. She is equally at home in São Paulo as she is in New York, Paris or Milan,” said Carolina Althaller, of WGSN’s South American office.
