In the landscape of Latin American design, Giovanni Yepes Isaza—known artistically as Gio Isaza—has emerged as a thoughtful and authentic voice. His work blends refined aesthetics with a deep commitment to storytelling. More than just garments, his collections explore identity, craft, and emotional expression.

Originally trained as a painter, Isaza transitioned into fashion at 18, studying directly under master tailors, shirtmakers, shoemakers, and dressmakers. His background in the fine arts remains visible in his approach: intentional, layered, and spiritual. While the canvas was replaced by fabric, the message stayed the same—creating from a place of meaning.

Isaza has designed for high-profile figures and aligned himself with movements rooted in visibility, emotional growth, and cultural narrative. His recent show, The Grand Début Fashion Show in Miami (March 2025), illustrated this vision clearly.

Brazilian actress and model Vivi Di Domenico opened the show. Her trajectory—built on resilience and multicultural experience—embodied the values that shape Isaza’s brand. Her presence on the runway was not simply visual but symbolic, reflecting leadership, purpose, and inner strength.

The finale featured Venezuelan actress Diana Chacón, whose commanding presence reinforced the show’s central message. When Gio walked the final runway beside her, lifting her in a quiet but powerful gesture, it served as both celebration and statement: fashion as a tool for transformation, not conformity.

This perspective also extended to the participation of Paola Ruíz, recently named Miss Quindío Universal 2025—the first Colombian winner with a cleft lip. Her presence was not only historic but also challenged long-held beauty standards in the pageant world. With confidence and clarity, Ruíz positioned herself as a voice for inclusion, stating: “Beauty goes beyond the physical—it is heart, mind, and soul.”

Over the years, Isaza has worked with notable names including Daniel Habif, and collaborated with industry figures such as Hernán Zajar, known for preserving Caribbean textile traditions, and Emilio Uribe, a globally recognized stylist whose credits include Beyoncé, Alicia Keys, and editorial work with Vogue, Elle, and People en Español. Uribe’s endorsement of Isaza’s work underscores the designer’s growing international relevance.

In October 2024, Isaza debuted his latest collection during New York Fashion Week in a show curated by Jessica Abbey, CEO of Abbey International Enterprises. The Manhattan event blended visual storytelling with emotional nuance. Abbey described the collection as “a visual choreography between timeless elegance and soul,” commending Isaza’s ability to transform lived experience into aesthetic form.

Beyond design, Isaza’s impact as an entrepreneur has also been recognized. The Bogotá Chamber of Commerce named him an outstanding business leader for his contribution to economic development and his commitment to ethical, sustainable creative practices.

Gio Isaza’s work does not follow trends. It draws from personal history, emotional depth, and cultural memory. In an industry that often values speed and spectacle, his designs insist on meaning—crafted with care, shaped by experience, and rooted in authenticity.