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Offices in America were closed over the recent Labor Day weekend, but in the picturesque Mexican town of San Miguel creativity was at work.
The setting was the luxury Live Aqua resort in San Miguel de Allende, where around a hundred residents and VIP guests gathered to witness the latest fashion collection by local designer turned emerging global superstar Neithan Herbert.
Live at Aqua San Miguel de Allende
Taking over the property's picturesque garden terrace, Herbert presented his spring/summer 2025 collection of flowing dresses, intricate knits and ornate accessories to a captivated crowd of friends and customers. Titled “Moonlight,” the pieces paid homage to some of the designer's most revered inspirations, from the Inca goddess of the moon (known as Mother Quilla) to what Herbert believed was his mother's humble yet elegant style (represented through lace tops, wool skirts, and gold jewelry taken from her indigenous heritage).
Live at Aqua San Miguel de Allende
The collection was also inspired by equestrian motifs, with wide-brimmed hats, cowboy boots and Western-inspired outfits seen on a diverse group of models. The highlight of the evening: At one point in the show, a real white horse strutted down the center of the catwalk, drawing “oohs” and “ahhs” from the audience. Proceeds from ticket sales for the show, meanwhile, benefited SMA Equinotherapy, a local organization that supports children with developmental issues and trauma through equine therapy. Talk about making an impact.
Live at Aqua San Miguel de Allende
This was the first couture show to take place in San Miguel, and as stated in the show's accompanying notes, the event marked not only a significant milestone for Neithan Herbert, but also a “defining moment for the region”, helping to place the thriving city “on the global fashion map”. The designer said 80% of his collection was made with fabrics sourced from the state of Guanajuato in Mexico, while local artisans helped produce the belts, buckles and buttons used in the show.
Live, the Aqua San Miguel de Allende, meanwhile, was the perfect setting for Herbert's show. The resort property is located just a few miles from where the designer grew up and similarly represents the mix of centuries-old tradition and new-world innovation that has come to define San Miguel today. One of the city's oldest houses, for example, now towers over a new Starbucks, while cowboy-boot-wearing fashionistas from Mexico City (about a four-hour drive) gather in the parish square next to the current vaqueros they celebrate their daughters quinceañeras at the church.
The food and drink scene is equally diverse, both in the city, where Japanese-inspired cafés and paella stalls have popped up alongside taqueriasand at Live Aqua, where the hotel's main restaurant, Zibu Allende, serves a nightly fusion of Mexican and Thai cuisine. The elegant Spice Market upstairs offers a new take on Chinese and Japanese cuisine, while the speakeasy-style Cigar Bar lists an extensive and well-curated menu of tequila and mezcal, but encourages guests to also order from their impressive selections of cocktail.
See rooms and rates at Live Aqua San Miguel de Allende
The resort itself is an architectural marvel, with a soaring entrance and sandy walls hidden among lush greenery and the flowing waters of the nearby Obraje Dam. The vibrant colors and textures of Mexican art are expertly woven into the property's common areas, which seamlessly blends outdoor spaces and cozy nooks for an atmosphere that is both expansive and intimate.
For Herbert, exhibiting at Live Aqua was a dream come true, having seen the property evolve over the years. The designer says he chose the resort because of shared values of celebrating Mexican craftsmanship and promoting and employing local talent. Live Aqua, meanwhile, says the fact that Herbert returned to his hometown to put on a show, “speaks volumes about his dedication to his roots and the artisans of Mexico.”
The next step for Herbert: the designer talks Rolling Stone who is already working on his next collection, which could include some special collaborations and the launch of some art-inspired collections objects. It's also growing its thriving e-commerce business, with its pieces now shipping internationally.
As for Live Aqua, the hotel is preparing for one of the most popular holidays of the year: Día de Muertos. You can see all their offers and activities here.