In the heart of Saint-Germain, Paris, amidst a romantic venue with minimalistic elegance, KOUA unveiled its latest collection, Les Fils du Silence / Threads of Silence. Founded by designer Erika Alvarez, the evening brought together fashion, performance, and ancestral storytelling in an intimate Parisian setting.
Guests were welcomed with champagne and delicate canapés, setting the tone for an experience beyond a traditional runway. At the heart of the evening, the models performed Álvarez’s family constellation — a visual weave of lineage, silence, and memory. More than a portrayal, it served as an invitation for guests to reflect on their own invisible threads and the unspoken wounds carried through generations, particularly for women.
“The constellation was a way to heal my own story,” Alvarez shared, “but also to remind others that we all carry wounds that are not ours to keep — and that can be released. For me, only through this inner work and healing can humanity find peace breaking with what does not belong to us and ending the repetitions of lineage and family.”
The collection combined minimalist black-and-white silhouettes with the richness of ancestral craft. Among the works presented:
Embroidered textiles from Zinacantán, Chiapas, integrated into Alvarez’s designs.
Entirely hand-stitched pieces created by Manos del Mar, a women’s collective in San Mateo del Mar, Oaxaca, celebrated for their work with traditional huipils.
Garments designed by Malacate Experimental Collective in San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas, known for weaving together the traditions of women artisans from different regions.
By giving space to these collectives, Alvarez highlighted that their creations are not just fashion, but living memory — pieces that remain alive through use, care, and recognition. “Every piece carries a name, a place, and a story. That is what gives value to fashion — the recognition of the women who make it,” Alvarez explained.
With Les Fils du Silence, Álvarez redefines fashion as an act of solidarity and healing. Each garment is a story, each stitch an echo of memory. Instead of soulless production, the collection champions unique acts of creation, valuing the hands and histories that shape them. “Fashion can be soulless production,” Álvarez reflected, “or it can be a unique act of creation. For me, it must always honor the hands, the histories, and the healing behind each garment.”
All garments from Les Fils du Silence will be available online beginning October 15, 2025 at www.kouamexico.com. Each piece will include the name of the artisan who created it, its place of origin, the materials used, and the weaving techniques employed — a practice of recognition and transparency that honors the artistry behind the collection.
Photography Credits
Photographer, Styling & Creative Direction: Erika Álvarez
Models: Tife Fabiyi, Antonia Luisa Schrobenhauser, Karmen Jerkovic, and Victoria Pashkevich
Make-up Artist: Domitille Guilbault and Mathilde Pirson.
Jewellery: Sempiterno Paris
