Inspiration from the ‘Zoocriadero’…I was born in Barranquilla, Colombia in 1982. As a young girl, I spent a lot of time with my dad in his crocodile farm (a.k.a. zoocriadero). It was during these years that I dreamt up designs that I would later implement into my collection. I entered adulthood knowing that my passion was to design exotic handbags and accessories. At that time, I decided to learn as much as possible about running a business. After receiving a Bachelors Degree in Economics from Purdue University I worked for Sony. Then, I started studies in Accessory Design in Art Institute at Miami International University.
The Adriana Castro Collection is born.

With inspiration from the natural beauty and color palettes surrounding the Amazon, I named my first collection (Spring 2007) “Amazonia.” To launch “Amazonia,” I organized a small fashion show in Miami that local buyers and fashion editors loved! Press attention soon followed with articles in magazines such as Ocean Drive Español, where I was featured in the much-touted “En Caliente” section. El Nuevo Herald (Miami Herald) also featured the collection in a full-page spread entitled “Innovative Designs in Crocodile Leather by Adriana Castro.” Then, I received Gen Art’s Fresh Faces in Fashion award. Oh my, I was so excited when I received this award. Over the past decade, the Fresh Faces program has catapulted the careers of current big name designers such as Zac Posen and Rebecca Taylor. Also, the premier news authority in fashion, Women’s Wear Daily featured the collection. After this press, stores such as Mayda Cisneros, Addison Craig, Lux Couture, Next Worth Avenue and other high-end stores started placing orders.

Our handbags and accessories are one-of-a-kind, handmade artisan pieces, wearable works of art for the most discriminating, stylish women of any age. Exotic leathers (crocodile, ostrich, python and lizard), bold colors and sensual textures give every piece in the collection extraordinary character and personality. The collection is meant to be “mix and match”; its versatility gives women the option to wear each piece with the finest Couture or the simplest of casual.  When buying our handbags and accessories, people are contributing to the repopulation program of the caiman species, under the supervision of the Colombian Ministry of Natural Resources and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Our collection is part of a sustainable use program that benefits people and wildlife, in addition that we contribute to breed another animal into the wildlife.

Regarding a nightmare story, the most recent one took place in New York, Spring 07.  Market week was over and we had already checked out from The Bryant Park Hotel, we were done with our appointments. (At that time, we didn’t have a showroom; we were just starting, so we traveled to meet buyers.) We were taking a stroll around Central Park South before heading to the airport when a buyer from a great store that had cancelled an appointment, called saying that he was able to make it and that he was getting to the hotel in 10 minutes….rush hour, no cabs, high heels, suit cases….we ran 20 blocks thinking all the way where would we show our collection. The hotel staff was great, they gave us our suite back (no cost) for a little while and we were able to show the collection. The buyer placed an order so it was worth it!  The greatest achievement has been the process of learning all aspects of starting and running a handbag business. Also, working with my family and building a strong relationship with them.