Zacapa Rum has announced its continued collaboration with the Latin American Fashion Summit, honoring the Colombian luxury brand Agua Bendita and its cofounders, Mariana Hinestroza and Catalina Álvarez, with the Visionary of the Year award.

The award recognizes Agua Bendita for its dedication to community empowerment, particularly its efforts to work with rural Colombian artisans in producing handcrafted pieces. Hinestroza and Álvarez founded Agua Bendita in 2003, creating swimsuits from surplus fabrics sourced from local clothing factories in Medellin. The brand has since expanded significantly, launching a luxury collection in 2018, known as Agua by Agua Bendita, and selling its products in over 70 countries.

In addition to honoring Agua Bendita, the award ceremony reflects Zacapa Rum’s commitment to supporting designers who celebrate heritage, craftsmanship, and community upliftment. Last year’s inaugural Visionary of the Year award went to Raul Lopez of Luar, who collaborated with Zacapa Rum for a special project.

Agua Bendita’s commitment to sustainability and social responsibility is evident in its collaborations and business model, as it partners with major U.S. retailers like Net-a-porter and Moda Operandi, while also venturing into resale with a platform established in the U.S. This year, they also hosted their first pop-up store in Dallas, enhancing their brand visibility in the U.S. market.

For more details, visit the official pages of Zacapa Rum and Agua Bendita.