Juan Pablo Socorrás Yani is a fashion designer from Bogota, Colombia. With his designs, that are both traditional and gazing towards the future, he is bridging the old with the new and creating a new, original style. He is also at the head of his own charitable foundation, which helps people from modest backgrounds improve their lives. Discover our exclusive interview with him.
What can you tell us about your background?
Juan Pablo Socarrás Yani: I come from a traditional coastal family that became established through the work done for the communities in the towns where they lived. In my family there are physicians, politicians, writers, businessmen and even dedicated housewives. These women gave birth to a whole lineage that gradually started to travel around the country. Although I was born in Bogota, I feel like a coastal, or as very popular vallenato says, “I was born in an unknown land, in Macondo the land of Gabo, I am 
Colombian.”
How did you grow up and how did you get into the fashion world?
JPSY: I grew up in a traditional family and am the youngest of two brothers. I studied fashion industrial design, and specialized in strategic design and innovation. At the age of 25, I started to work in Artesanias de Colombia, a governmental entity that works for the recovery of trades and ancestral knowledge, which allowed me to start in the world of fashion.
How would you describe the Colombian Fashion Week?
JPSY: In Colombia there is a fair that has been existing for more than 25 years and is now consolidated. This is “Colombiamoda” in Medellín. It is a fair that generates significant business every year for the textile and fashion industry in general. In addition, it provides the platform of catwalks, where year after year, the most outstanding Colombian designers showcase their collections. And for the last three years, the fashion week of the capital of Colombia, Bogotá Fashion Week, has been strengthening. It has open up and prioritizes the work of the designers of this part of the country.
How would you describe your aesthetic?
JPSY: My designs always have a national identity, with influences from different parts of the world. My roots of the Colombian Caribbean inspire me; as well as classic men and women who always want to look impeccable, sophisticated and unique, through the luxury offered by handwork.
What can you tell us about the work you do with your foundation?
JPSY: I have been working for 11 years with vulnerable Colombian populations. Six years ago I started my foundation, aimed at developing the country through design. My passion is to work with people and for the people, to rescue the Colombian culture and craftsmanship. Above all, I dream of making the Colombians feel proud of wearing handmade products, which also has a huge national identity load.
How do you use your free time? Do you have hobbies or interests out of fashion?
JPSY: In my free time I like to exercise outdoors, so I run in a park near my house, 20 minutes every three days a week. I also take pleasure in walking through the cities that I visit. In my day to day routine, eating is one of my weaknesses but I also enjoy going to the theater, being with my boyfriend, traveling with him, and sharing time with my family.
What are you obsessed with, fashion- and otherwise?
JPSY: My obsession is design. I live through it and enjoy it 24 hours a day. For me, there is design in everything, in the food, in the clothes that I use, in the house where I live. Fashion is part of my DNA. An obsession? Without a doubt, shoes, I love them.
Thank you!
See more at instagram.com/juansocarras
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