La Oculta — A Journey Toward Mindful Fashion

WRITTEN BY GYN NARRATIVES

LA OCULTA — A JOURNEY TOWARDS MINDFUL FASHION

EVER EVOLVING

Our garments are meant for people who value the importance of heritage, travel and storytelling.

What if the clothes you wear could do more than just make you look good? What if they could make you feel calm, connected, and aligned with your values? Imagine gliding into a garment that not only appeals to your style but also grounds you—connecting you to something larger than yourself.

At La Oculta, this isn’t just a dream. It’s the essence of what they do. More than fashion, La Oculta is about feeling beautiful, comfortable, and confident in a way that resonates with who you truly are.

A Family-Rooted Beginning: Three Generations Bring the Dream to Life.

At the heart of La Oculta is a family dream. Catalina Puerta’s journey began in an unexpected place. Once working for Colombia’s Ministry of Defence, she led a comfortable and secure life. But deep inside, there was a call for more— something beyond the day-to-day job. She felt the pull to follow her heart and immerse herself in the world of fashion— a world filled with creativity, passion, and meaningful connections.

When the pandemic hit, everything shifted. Catalina returned to her roots, to her family, and found strength in the support of her mother and niece, Sofia. Together, they nurtured the vision of La Oculta, with her husband constantly encouraging her to pursue her dreams.

Though separated by continents, the family’s dedication to La Oculta remains unwavering Catalina in Naivasha, a town in Kenya known for its natural beauty, Sofia in New York, and her mother in Colombia stay connected through constant video calls, refining designs and nurturing their shared passion.

“Sounds crazy,” Catalina admits, “but it doesn’t matter because it’s my passion, my dream. Now, I find myself working beyond the usual 5 p.m. office hours, fuelled by my passion for La Oculta and its vision, often continuing until 3 a.m., always creating, always dreaming.”

Every stitch and fabric choice reflects their dedication to quality and sustainability. As Catalina shares, “We don’t want to make something disposable. Today’s consumers are looking for meaning in what they buy. They want to invest in pieces that last-so with this in mind, our clothes are designed to be treasured. They become part of your story.”

“Experimenting to create something truly unique with local produce.”

The Meaning Behind the Name.

“La Oculta,” meaning “Hidden” in Spanish, holds deep personal and cultural significance. “The name was inspired by my father’s farm, which carried this name—a place steeped in history,” Catalina explains. “Over time, it has evolved to symbolize the hidden beauty woven into every crafted piece of design.”

“La Oculta is for people who seek depth within their choices,” Catalina continues. “Our garments are meant for people who value the importance of heritage, travel, and storytelling.” La Oculta is a hidden treasure that blends elegance with authenticity.

The Art of Crafting Beauty with Purpose.

Every piece from La Oculta is a true work of artistry. It’s not just about following trends— it’s about creating something special, designed with both heart and mind.

The materials are sourced from renowned regions: linen from Italy and France, cotton from Burkina Faso, with plans to include fabrics from Ethiopia and Türkiye. These fabrics are chosen not just for their quality, but for the stories they tell. Each artisan woman involved is a master of her craft, ensuring every detail is perfect-from the hand-crafted buttons to the luxurious cotton or linen in each garment.

At La Oculta, sustainability is one of our core values. Luxurious hotel cotton sheets-softened over time-are upcycled and repurposed into high-quality garments, ensuring no fabric goes to waste. Natural dyes gently bring each piece to life, while every residue of fabric is utilized, reducing waste and honoring the planet.

Each garment isn’t just clothing; it’s a symbol of the care and dedication behind every step of the process.

When you wear La Oculta, you are not just investing in a beautiful piece of clothing—you are embracing a solution-driven approach to fashion that cares for the environment, celebrates culture, and values quality craftsmanship.

Special Pieces: The Artistic Soul of La Oculta.

While the label offers classic collections, it also produces limited-edition, handcrafted pieces that elevate the brand’s artistic expression. Currently, 80% of the collection consists of commercial pieces, while 20% are high-couture, one-of-a-kind designs. The vision is to shift toward an equal balance, offering more exclusive garments that stand as wearable art.

“We create unique pieces for fashion shows, such as the Naivasha jumpsuit, crafted from handwoven wool sourced from Lake Naivasha. Our presence at Nairobi Fashion Week has also been a significant milestone. One of our most captivating creations is the Twiga Dress, a best-seller that was reimagined in silk for a runway show in Santo Domingo. It’s a joy to work with such a diverse range of fabrics from all corners of the globe-whether they are from India, Sri Lanka, West Africa, or Kenya.”

Another standout is the Cuboco Blouse, crafted from Burkina Faso cotton. Designed for versatility, it can be worn open at the back or front, doubling as a jacket. This commitment to adaptability ensures that La Oculta’s pieces are not only timeless but also functional and fitting for different occasions.

“Less is more,” Catalina adds. “I want you to pack a La Oculta dress for a two-week trip-something you can wear both to the beach and to dinner, since it’s comfortable yet elegant.”

“I want people to see that the fusion of these cultural identities is reflected in our designs—the vibrant energy of the Carribean, the resilience of desert communities, and the richness of African heritage.”

Celebrating Culture: A Fusion of Colombian and Kenyan Roots.

La Oculta beautifully blends Colombian and Kenyan influences in its designs, drawing from the rich traditions and landscapes of both regions. Catalina explains that the Wayúu tribe in northern Colombia shares striking similarities with Kenya’s Samburu people-both living in arid desert regions with strong cultural ties to their environment.

The connection goes deeper, with influences from the Caribbean and the Sahel—that unique stretch of land between the Sahara Desert and sub-Saharan Africa. Catalina relects on how even those familiar with Caribbean culture may be less aware of the Sahel’s distinct influence-a meeting point between dreamy desert traditions and vibrant storytelling.

“It’s fascinating to explore how these regions connect. Catalina says. “I want people to see that the fusion of these cultural identities is reflected in our designs—a vibrant energy of the Caribbean, the resilience of desert communities, and the richness of African heritage.”

Through this thoughtful narrative, La Oculta’s creations become more than fashion; they are a tribute to shared histories, blending colours, textures, and depictions that honour both Colombian and Kenyan roots.

Expanding with Purpose: A Global Journey

As La Oculta grows, the brand is expanding internationally, bringing its hidden beauty to cities like New York, Mexico, Guatemala and soon, Singapore. This April, La Oculta is opening at Village Market in Nairobi, marking an exciting new chapter in Kenya.

With this expansion, La Oculta remains deeply connected to its roots—deeply committed to quality and preserving the heritage and stories behind each piece. This powerhouse brand has carved a path to embrace the art of slow fashion, making a bold statement by offering garments that resonate deeply. At the same time, it provides the piece of mind that comes with investing in something both meaningful and beautiful. □

Quick Fire Questions

What is your favourite La Oculta dress?

The Twiga Dress. It’s very La Oculta—simple, easy to wear, yet elegant.

If you could dress any person—living or historical—in La Oculta, who would it be?

Jane Birkin! I know she would have loved La Oculta. It’s so her—natural, spontaneous, just like us. I can just imagine her wearing one of our pieces on a sunny afternoon in Paris.

Are there any artists or cultural influences that have shaped your vision?

We’ve been inspired by James Turrell. He works extensively with light, which is why in our recent collection, we’ve incorporated shapes like triangles.

What has been the most difficult part for you?

The storytelling! We have a beautiful story to tell and would love to share it with the world. That’s how you build a brand.