Preserving 3,000 Years of Tradition Through Fashion: Meet Adriana Santacruz

Colombian designer Adriana Santacruz exudes excitement when talking about her work - eyes flash, hands gesture dramatically and her face glows. No wonder. In her world, fashion is an art form defined by a love of beautiful garments walking hand in had with social responsibility and a desire to preserve 3,000 year old traditions. Her collections seamlessly blend contemporary concepts with cultural roots. Each garment is a  timeless classic created by skilled local artisans.Fashion has always been a part of Santacruz's life. As a child she would dress friends up in adult clothing and put on shows to rounds of applause. As she grew, a new passion emerged that would define her future in fashion - the desire to rescue indigenous traditions. University studies in Spain led her to research the relationship between scientific knowledge and tribal lore. On return to Colombia, the designer's successful participation in Expoartesanias and Bogota Fashion Week propelled her into the media spotlight. She quickly began to garner local and international honors - El Lapiz de Acerro Azul, Colombia's highest fashion award; a scholarship to study at the  Istituto Marangoni in Milan; the Bienal Latin American prize; an invitation to share the runway with Agatha Ruiz de la Prada: and more.For the full article on Adriana Santacruz, please check out the summer issue of Raine Magazine.Adapted by Liz Belilovskaya