A STEP BACK IN TIME

Heritage effortlessly blends in with the tropics in Cartagena

- ANDIE JAVELLOSA

Back in 2016, I was working as a Social Media Manager for Shop LCP, a Manila-based boutique by Pie Alvarez that carried curated fashion finds from all over the globe. Although my previous job as a styling assistant to celebrity stylist Liz Uy introduced me to fashion's big names, it was Shop LCP that opened a whole new world to me—true global fashion.

Shop LCP started carrying South American designers that hailed from different regions, some of which were produced by indigenous people and local artisans. I was drawn to how each piece spoke so much of its own culture and personality. Each item felt like owning a piece of art that exhibited excellent craftsmanship. It was Colombian designers in particular that stood out the most for me. Fun, flirty, and feminine is how I would quickly describe their style.

Since then, Colombian fashion and culture have significantly influenced my style and taste. And with that, my enthusiasm and desire to travel to the colorful and historical old city of Cartagena, Colombia, was set. That was a trip that I had been dreaming of for almost five years.

GETTING THERE

Our visit to Colombia was the second half of our Central and South America trip in January this year. My boyfriend and I just spent a week in Mexico City and Tulum before flying to Bogota, Colombia's capital. We just spent roughly about 24-hours there before taking another quick flight to Cartagena. You can also easily get to and from Cartagena directly via Florida, USA.

THE OLD-WALLED CITY

Because of its historical and cultural heritage, Cartagena's Walled City, including its fortress, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Named after Cartagena City in España, the city was the main port for trade between Spain and its overseas empire during the colonial era.