Donde Esteban is an authentic reflection of me — my life, my culture, and my upbringing. It's dedicated to anyone who loves following the sun and feeling free, just like I do. Esteban is someone who welcomes you into his world with open arms — barefoot, music on, laughter in the air, dancing, and only good vibes.
It’s a tapestry of family stories, childhood memories, nature and contemplation, art, and music. It’s a visual book that shares my multicultural life — how every city I’ve lived in has shaped me and my creative lens. From Cartagena to Miami, New York, Paris, and Ibiza — each place left behind a light, a texture, a sound, a photo.
You’ll find my father’s brushstrokes printed on silk, sunsets translated into gradients, and dresses that make you want to dance. Every piece holds a fragment of a journey — a love letter to the tropics and to the freedom I find in movement.
The temperature is very warm — golden-hour warm. I’m so excited and inspired; it honestly feels like a full-circle moment. Creating this collection felt like returning home after a long trip. I have so many beautiful memories at The Standard Miami, and it brings me so much joy to finally collaborate and merge our worlds — which are so perfectly aligned.
The Resort 2025 collection is titled “La Vida Es Bonita” — a love letter to two of the cities that shaped me and my upbringing: Cartagena and Miami Beach. These vibrant Caribbean places are more than just destinations — they’re part of my story and central to the soul of Donde Esteban.
Cartagena, where my family has lived for many years, is a city bursting with color, romance, and layered history. Miami Beach is where I grew up, surrounded by the eclectic energy of South Beach in the ’90s. Together, they’ve defined my core taste, my lifestyle, and my creative vision.
This collection celebrates the bold, the kitschy, and the joyfully excessive — drawing from the saturated hues and ornate details of Cartagena’s streets and blending them with the irreverent glamour of the South Beach I grew up in. But always with a touch of Caribbean sophistication.
My hope is that they instantly feel free — like their spirit is lifted. I want them to feel warmth, joy, color… and like they want to dance.
The Standard Miami holds a very special place in my heart. I was there the day it opened back in the early 2000s, and I’ve always loved how it’s maintained that authentic South Beach energy. The Standard has always felt like a crossroads of art, community, and leisure — the same energy that defines Donde Esteban.
The idea for the collaboration started with a conversation about capturing the iconic pool scene at The Standard — and the feeling of spending an entire day there. It also draws from the spirit of South Beach’s golden years. The collaboration grew out of friendship, community, and a shared philosophy.
For the special capsule I designed with The Standard, I was inspired by the iconic striped towels and the eclectic, super-fun pool scene that makes The Standard so unique. I love that the pool has inspired other Miami artists before — it’s become emblematic of the local culture. For me, it’s the best pool scene in Miami.
We created an original '90s-style 2D cartoon to depict the pool scene in a surreal, joy-filled, humorous way.
My sonic universe is a mix of salsa, boleros, Balearic house, bossa nova, pop, and R&B. If it feels good inside — whether it's something to chill by the beach or dance to at a party — it’s in the playlist.
You might hear a mix between La Sonora Matancera, Gloria Estefan, Honey Dijon, George Michael, Bad Bunny, Piero Umiliani, Juan Luis Guerra, Marvin Gaye, Vicente Amigo, and Lauryn Hill.
My stillness comes from contemplating nature, being with my family and loved ones in Cartagena and Ibiza, and enjoying time alone. That’s when I recharge and reconnect.
There are actually so many! But the first one that comes to mind is circa 2006, when the hotel had just opened. I spent the whole Sunday by the pool with friends, followed by the spa and then back to the pool for more fun — it was pure bliss and I always think of that day. That day gave me the feeling I’ve carried with me all these years about The Standard.
