FAIR BLVD BRINGS COLOMBIAN ARTISANSHIP TO THE WORLD STAGE

By: Erica Commisso 

Though she has no Ecuadorian or Colombian descent, Anika Stevens is inspired by the artisanal culture of the Latin American countries. The cultures inspired her so much to launch FAIR BLVD, a one-of-a-kind fashion brand that creates wearable art celebrating Indigenous culture. 

“I was born in the Netherlands and I live in Aruba. Aruba really opened me to many different cultures, it’s a very multicultural island where people are warm, open, and knowledgeable about the world,” Stevens says. “Almost everyone here speaks four languages; English, Spanish, Dutch, and Papiamento. So even though the island is small, it always makes us feel close to the world. Living here brought me close to Latin American cultures, and that’s where my connection to places like Colombia and Ecuador began.” 

Source: Fair BLVD

FAIR BLVD was born out of Stevens’ desire to connect with these communities and to create opportunities for artisans who often live in poverty. And Colombia and Ecuador, she felt, offered the perfect inspirations to birth the brand, thanks to their dedication to craftsmanship and to their rich, vibrant culture. “Colombia has many beautiful and diverse Indigenous communities. Each one has its own art, culture, language, beliefs, and sense of beauty. The people are open, welcoming, and incredibly organized in the way they preserve their traditions,” Stevens says. 

It was a similar situation in Ecuador. “I fell in love with the Indigenous culture, the people, and their beauty. Spending time living and working with them changed my life completely. I felt a deep connection with the country and its traditions, something that touched my heart on many levels. Seeing their artistry inspired me, but seeing their reality gave me purpose. Many Indigenous people live in poverty, and I wanted to use my background in marketing and business to help create opportunities. Their beauty inspired me and their resilience gave me the drive and courage to start something that could make a difference.”

Stevens has taught each artisan to create the one-of-a-kind pieces, and she says the idea of the creations being luxury pieces of wearable art contributes to the idea that they are meant to be felt, to hold a story and to be experienced. She says that making them one-of-a-kind, unique designs allows every detail to spend time in the spotlight, thereby honoring the people and culture behind them. 

Source: Fair BLVD

That culture and identity recently made its international runway debut, as actress Anna Baranowska wore Unaya, a gown inspired by the concept “one soul, two expressions” on the Venice Film Festival red carpet. For Stevens, who often sources her own materials and then immerses herself within communities to see the designs to completion, it was like bringing art to life. “Seeing your belief and vision come to life in such an iconic setting is an incredibly powerful feeling,” Stevens says. “It’s a mix of pride, gratitude, and awe realizing that something that started as an idea between your hands and heart is now being seen on one of the world’s biggest stages.”

Stevens hopes that having her brand and her vision shared on such a massive scale teaches others to be conscious about their style, and to use clothing to connect with culture and with global artisans. “I hope people see and feel the depth and soul behind it. That they understand that beauty can carry meaning that it can tell stories, honor cultures, and connect worlds,” she says. “Through FAIR BLVD, I want people to see that fashion can be both daring and conscious, expressive and respectful. It makes you feel different powerful, connected, seen. It’s not just about wearing something beautiful, but about experiencing the energy and emotion behind it.”