Ciprianamía 

Nelissa Carrillo has designed Nike sneakers for Serena Williams, and she once had her own genderless streetwear brand. But it wasn’t until 2021 that she looked to her cultural roots for inspiration, employing fabrics and sewing techniques representative of her Mexican heritage. The new brand, Ciprianamía, launched quietly, but this year the Chicago native made a splash with a resort collection that uses meticulously hand-dyed crocheted fabrics fashioned into patchwork. “My great-aunt and grandmother, who the brand is named after, create the bulk of the fabrics,” says Carrillo, who still works for Nike. “This is all about preserving their art form — the Mexican artisanal look and feel — and bringing it into everyday and special-occasion pieces.” For example: a sweater vest repurposed from a longer knit garment and hand-embellished with dyed feathers and rhinestones. But the real showstopper is a crocheted wedding dress, featuring a high neck and built-in faux cape, constructed from a blanket made by Carrillo’s grandmother. The one-of-a-kind item sold quickly, but if you’re hoping to snag one, don’t worry, says Carrillo: “I have a more simplified version ready.”