Patricio Campillo, a visionary Mexican fashion designer, has carved a distinctive niche in the global fashion landscape, driven by an unwavering commitment to personal narrative and cultural heritage. His journey, marked by both existential doubts and remarkable resilience, saw him transform from a near-quit fashion entrepreneur into an acclaimed artist whose designs resonate from Mexico to New York Fashion Week. His brand's evolution is a testament to the power of authenticity, where clothing transcends mere aesthetics to become a powerful medium for storytelling and identity. Campillo's success in fusing wearable craftsmanship with his Mexican roots has garnered international recognition, drawing a diverse clientele and solidifying his brand's place as a beacon of cultural pride and innovative design.
Mexican Designer Patricio Campillo Ascends to International Fashion Stardom with Unique Cultural Vision
In a compelling narrative of perseverance and creative rediscovery, Mexican fashion designer Patricio Campillo has successfully navigated the demanding world of high fashion, establishing his eponymous label as a significant presence on the international stage. His journey began years ago, intertwined with the complexities of running a fashion enterprise. A pivotal moment arrived when he was on the brink of abandoning his dream. Campillo candidly shares, from his Paris showroom, surrounded by his upcoming collection, that he faced immense challenges within his business prior to the LVMH Prize competition. He admitted to contemplating the cessation of his brand entirely.
Remarkably, even without a complete collection prepared, Campillo was named an LVMH Prize semifinalist last year, marking a historic achievement as the first Mexican designer to receive such an honor. He confessed to planning to skip that particular season, a testament to his earlier struggles. Today, Campillo’s brand stands as one of the most compelling names on the New York Fashion Week calendar. His distinct design philosophy, characterized by profound cultural influences and meticulous craftsmanship, has attracted a global following, with significant markets in Mexico, the United States, and South Korea. Campillo aspires for his brand to become the “Mexican Loewe,” a vision that is steadily materializing as his once menswear-focused label now sees 40% of its clientele comprising women.
A self-taught visionary, Campillo’s understanding of fashion’s power to shape perception was instilled early on. He reflects on his mother, a formidable woman navigating a predominantly masculine environment, and her fearless approach to dressing attractively without sexualization in Latin America. From a young age, Campillo had clear ideas about clothing, recalling, “I remember being six years old, saying, ‘I want this shirt to be tighter, these pants to be shorter.’” He admits to being naturally shy, finding that clothing provided a means of self-expression without the need for verbal explanation.
Campillo initially pursued a marketing degree in Spain to appease his parents, but his heart remained dedicated to fashion. He immersed himself in fashion collections and magazines, eventually spending two formative years in Paris working for fashion editor Tiffany Godoy. This period, he considers his true education, often prioritizing fashion shows over statistics classes. While the initial allure of glitz and celebrity faded, his fascination with clothing deepened. Upon returning to Spain to complete his degree, he found the academic curriculum less stimulating than the insights shared by figures like Kim Jones on menswear construction. Driven by this passion, he began creating his own collection with a local patternmaker, crafting pieces—tracksuits, leather separates, and capes—that he felt were missing from the market, aiming for a look that was both casual and luxurious.
Following his return to Mexico, Campillo launched The Pack in 2016 with investment from a relative. His initial collections, an exploration of self, featured many basics and, as he now admits, some instances of cultural appropriation. He recognized a shift in his focus: “I was much more focused on the discourse rather than the clothes,” he reflects. “Until I started understanding that my medium was not a narrative. It was the clothes and the story I was telling with them.”
After a year-long hiatus, during which he managed a manufacturing business to fund his future endeavors, a profound experience reshaped his brand’s direction. His father gifted him the charro suit, a traditional Mexican horse-riding outfit, which his own father had received at 18. This suit unlocked childhood memories for Campillo, reminding him of his heritage and his early experiences learning to ride horses and dressing as a charro. Donning the suit was transformative: “I felt super hot in it and made it homoerotic and objectified myself when I was wearing it,” he recounted. This powerful connection to his roots ignited his vision for the brand, inspiring both its identity and the Fall 2025 collection showcased at New York Fashion Week last February.
Following this epiphany, Campillo acquired his investors' shares and rebranded his label under his own name, signifying a more personal and intimate approach. Since then, milestones have rapidly accumulated: widespread press coverage following his LVMH Prize nomination, especially in Mexico where he made numerous media appearances; his successful New York Fashion Week debut, now spanning three seasons; and dressing celebrities such as Shaboozey, Orville Peck, Leon Bridges, and SZA, further elevating his brand’s global profile.
Despite presenting his collections in New York, Campillo is deeply committed to nurturing his brand’s roots in Mexico City. He collaborates with local artisans, some of whom traditionally create souvenirs, to produce his entire collection in Mexico. This commitment brings him immense joy, fostering well-paid work within his community. While he acknowledges the potential need for future expansion or diversification, Mexico remains his primary source of inspiration. He believes that as the brand flourishes, it should continue to provide meaningful employment opportunities in his homeland.
As his business expands, Campillo is dedicated to preserving the core culture of his brand. He attributes its unique appeal to a “wearable craftsmanship” formula, where products possess a strong sense of identity. The specificity of Campillo’s designs is intrinsically linked to his heritage, yet it attracts a broad audience who appreciate the cultural narrative it embodies. He emphasizes recontextualizing tradition and culture to make it inclusive, promoting tolerance, and ensuring it resonates with everyone. This approach, he concludes, transforms tradition into a form of resistance, making his designs both deeply personal and universally resonant.
Patricio Campillo's journey highlights the profound impact that authenticity and cultural connection can have in the creative industries. His story reminds us that even when faced with overwhelming challenges, staying true to one's roots and vision can lead to extraordinary success. It underscores the importance of embracing personal narratives within artistic endeavors, demonstrating how a deep understanding and celebration of heritage can not only propel a brand to global recognition but also empower and uplift an entire community. Campillo's commitment to Mexican artisans further exemplifies how fashion can be a powerful force for economic development and cultural preservation, offering a compelling model for sustainable and meaningful creative practices in a globalized world.