RFD Makes Its Debut in the Los Ríos Region with an International Fashion Gathering

The renowned fashion program, recognized for its impact across different regions of Chile, will host an international congress and runway show in January 2026, featuring national and international designers and artisans. The initiative marks a milestone for the regional creative industry, with the support of Fomento Los Ríos.

Valdivia, 2026 — Runway Fashion Design (RFD) Circular and Sustainable confirms the dates of its highly anticipated events in the Los Ríos Region and officially introduces the 14 creative teams that will bring the RFD Los Ríos 2026 runway to life. This initiative is carried out with the support of Fomento Los Ríos, a regional program of Corfo.

A total of 31 creatives make up these proposals, which will present 140 outfits during the grand final runway show on January 30 at Las Marías Aerodrome in Valdivia. The selection includes nine local teams, one guest team from the Biobío Region, and— for the first time—four international collections from Argentina and Uruguay. This marks a significant step forward in the program’s Latin American projection, achieved in less than three years since its creation by founder Johana Fernández, who was recently recognized by Banco de Chile as one of the 30 Women Who Inspire for her contribution and impact nationwide.

RFD’s arrival in the Los Ríos Region is part of a broader strategy aimed at strengthening emerging productive sectors with strong growth potential, territorial identity, and international projection. In this context, the support of Fomento Los Ríos reflects a development vision that recognizes creative industries as a key driver of regional economic diversification—particularly when they integrate innovation, sustainability, and collaboration between local and international stakeholders.

Pablo Díaz, Director of Fomento Los Ríos, highlighted that “initiatives such as RFD reflect the strategic value that creative industries have for the economic and social development of the region. At Fomento Los Ríos, we have been promoting productive diversification for several years, based on sustainability, innovation, and local talent. Circular fashion is a clear example of how creativity can become an economic activity with real impact. Hosting an international congress and runway show in Los Ríos reaffirms our commitment to new productive sectors that generate opportunities, employment, and international visibility for the region.”

International Congress on Fashion, Craftsmanship, and Sustainability

The program will begin on January 27 in La Unión with the first day of the International Congress on Circular and Sustainable Fashion and Craftsmanship (CIMACS), to be held at the Municipal Council Hall. The congress will continue on January 28 at the University Santo Tomás Auditorium in Valdivia, where designers, artisans, academics, and key voices from the creative ecosystem will share perspectives on innovation, circularity, and the cultural value of territories.

On January 30, attention will turn to the grand final runway show at Las Marías Aerodrome, where all teams will present their collections. The showcase will reveal proposals that blend creativity, sustainability, and interdisciplinary collaboration, featuring actresses, models from across Chile, and the CIFAN Children’s and Youth Symphony Orchestra, all taking part in this major cultural initiative.

This fifth edition of CIMACS will bring together prominent international figures such as Juan Carlos Mesa, CEO and Creative Director of Maison Mesa; Spanish journalist Jesús Reyes, CEO of CoolHunting Madrid; and Josefina Roveta, founder of Esquina Esquina and a leading voice in the contemporary reinterpretation of Argentine artisanal knowledge. They will be joined by distinguished national experts in design, sustainability, and entrepreneurship, including Guido Vera, Emilio Hernández, Daniela Seguel, Paola Nelson, a special participation from the Ministry of the Environment, and Johana Fernández, founder and director of RFD.

The 2026 edition will feature a robust program of mentorships, free educational activities, and co-creation dynamics, reaffirming the collaborative, diverse, and territory-driven spirit that defines RFD. The support of Fomento Los Ríos further strengthens its commitment to promoting a more sustainable productive model for the textile industry—one of the sectors with the greatest environmental impact worldwide.

Free tickets for the CIMACS Congress and the runway show are now available at www.runwayfashiondesign.com and www.evently.cl

For more information, follow @runwayfashiondesign on Instagram.