By Lucrecia Iruela*
From Silicon Valley I observe the brilliance of talent, the power of knowledge and the security that comes from belonging to certain circles. I also observe its counterpart: who enters, who is left out and how the future is decided from tables that are too small.
Between summits, conferences, events and investment forums, an uncomfortable truth emerges: innovation without inclusion is progress without purpose. It is not enough to celebrate novelty; Access infrastructure must be built so that talent, wherever it comes from, becomes real value. And therein lies true innovation and creativity.
With this conviction, that an event can inspire a few days but the construction of a solid infrastructure is what truly connects, drives and transforms, I travel from the West Coast, where I live, to the East Coast. There I meet Estefanía Lacayo, co-founder of LAFS (Latin American Fashion Summit), a project that embodies precisely that idea: transforming inspiration into structure and creativity into an economic engine.
LAFS is a revolutionary movement that unites fashion, innovation, design and technology. It merges different pillars of leadership and turns them into unique avenues of opportunity, with financial support and strategic allies. More than an event, it is a bridge between Latin America and the world. And I would dare to say that it is the most relevant bridge we have today.
Since its inception, LAFS was conceived as a for-profit organization with a strong component of social and creative impact. Today it has transformed into a multi-vertical ecosystem that, like in Silicon Valley, combines talent, vision and structure to turn inspiration into sustainable and tangible results.
This impact is already reflected in brands that access new markets, designers that obtain financing, suppliers that grow and jobs that are generated when the entire chain, from sketch to delivery, flows. In practice, this translates into economic growth and professional strengthening.
That is the greatest motivation of its founders: to see how ideas become sustainable projects. They are present in every communication, in every interaction and in every initiative that requires their participation. It is not a declaration of intent; It is a daily commitment that reflects your values, living and practicing them.
Support lesser-known talent. In a world where the spotlight usually points to Los Angeles, New York or Paris, LAFS proposes another route: reducing friction so that Latin American designers and entrepreneurs compete in global leagues. As? Professionalizing processes, raising standards and transforming creativity into execution capacity. From preparation to negotiate with buyers to the financial and logistical discipline required by the international market.
The capital that drives the vision
Recent developments confirmed the direction. The entry of Craig Robins as an investor brought strategic validation and speed. More than capital, its arrival functioned as a seal of trust: it standardizes processes, opens doors and accelerates projects. In Silicon Valley they talk about moats. In the case of LAFS, the advantage is not an algorithm, but a human and operational framework that turns community into opportunity and purpose into results.
For investors it means a stronger pipeline of opportunities. For companies and brands an international projection. For creators, a roadmap that combines identity and discipline. There is action and intention on everyone’s part. LAFS doesn’t just tell stories, it builds capacity. The global market rewards operational coherence, clear purchasing processes, reliable logistics, orderly finances and communication that speaks the language of decision makers. The leap is not just aesthetic, it is business. That is why the platform does not rest on the charisma of its community, but on its execution discipline.
The infrastructure of the future
The parallel with technology is evident. In that world, conferences are meeting points, but the real differential occurs behind the scenes: in networks, mentors, funds and distribution agreements. LAFS is replicating that logic in a sector that for years depended on informal contacts and ephemeral windows of exposure. By institutionalizing processes and curating access, it makes the Latin creative ecosystem more attractive for patient capital and long-term partnerships.
What’s next? A virtuous circle underway. The more success stories, the more confidence. The more trust, the more investment. The more investment, the more infrastructure. The more infrastructure, the more success stories. The challenge is to grow without losing curation, maintain the standard and not dilute the purpose: to elevate and connect. The ultimate goal is not just to place products, but to place narratives that rewrite where world-class design originates.
Let’s go back to the starting point. From Silicon Valley, innovation dazzles. But the real sustained advantage is not in privileged access, but in designing bridges. Estefanía Lacayo understood it soon: opening doors is not enough, you have to build corridors. That’s what LAFS does. And therein lies the golden opportunity for Latin America: convert talent into economic and cultural value, systematically and at scale.
As I always say, we can do better. Get Better. Be Better®
About the author:
*Lucrecia Iruela, Lawyer, Executive Coach, Businesswoman and Writer
IG @melioranet
Twitter: lucreciart
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucreciai/
The opinions expressed are solely the responsibility of their authors and are completely independent of the position and editorial line of Forbes Mexico.
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