Johanna Ortiz at the Fashion Trust U.S. 2026
The Fashion Trust U.S. is a nonprofit initiative dedicated to discovering, funding, and nurturing young design talent with the aim of helping them build their labels into thriving global brands. Behind this vision is Tania Fares — an international entrepreneur, adviser, and philanthropist who has dedicated her professional life to empowering creativity, becoming a driving force in promoting the business of fashion in London, the MENA region, and beyond, and who is cited as having provided strategic support to an entire generation of designers. In 2022, Fares co-founded the Fashion Trust U.S. alongside Laura Brown, Anne Crawford, Tan France, Samira Nasr, and Karla Welch, bringing to American soil a model of support for emerging design talent that has been reshaping careers across the globe for over a decade — first through the BFC Fashion Trust in the UK, then through Fashion Trust Arabia across the MENA region, and now through this thriving American chapter.
The program extends well beyond an awards ceremony. Each year, winners receive financial grant funding and a one-year intensive mentorship covering budgeting, brand strategy, marketing, social media optimization, merchandising, and overall business growth. As part of the program, each winner is also flown to London to participate in an immersive mentorship experience designed to help scale their fashion businesses, where they are connected with respected industry voices who generously share their insights, experience, and strategies for long-term success.
The fourth annual edition was held on April 7th at Nya Studios West in Los Angeles, hosted by comedian and actress Ego Nwodim, and featured a live performance by Swedish artist Lykke Li. This year, the organization distributed $600,000 in grants to emerging designers alongside tailored mentorship programs. Finalists were selected by founding board member Tania Fares alongside board members Laura Brown, Maha Dakhil, Jamie Mizrahi, Carlos Nazario, Anastasia Soare, Emma Thynn — Marchioness of Bath — and Karla Welch, with presenting partner Google participating in the selection process.
It is within this context of intellectual generosity and genuine commitment to the future of fashion that Johanna Ortiz took part in the fourth edition of the Fashion Trust U.S. as a member of its advisory board, reaffirming her conviction that great houses carry a responsibility to build bridges toward the next generation of designers. The Colombian designer extends her most heartfelt gratitude to Tania Fares for creating and sustaining this singular space within the global fashion landscape, and to the entire Fashion Trust U.S. board — Laura Brown, Karla Welch, Maha Dakhil, Carlos Nazario, Jamie Mizrahi, Anastasia Soare, and Emma Thynn — for building a platform where emerging talent finds not only financial resources, but community, visibility, and the real tools to build a future of their own.
"My sincere thanks to the US Fashion Trust for their extraordinary work, and for the invitation to be part of such an inspiring initiative and community. I strongly believe our industry must continue to advance sustainability, inclusivity, and meaningful systems of support. I am deeply committed to championing emerging talent and I am always inspired to contribute where fashion and purpose intersect." — Johanna Ortiz
For the evening, Camila Mendes and Paris Jackson wore Johanna Ortiz, each interpreting the brand's codes through distinct yet complementary perspectives.
Camila Mendes is an American actress and singer who made her debut as Veronica Lodge on The CW's Riverdale (2017), for which she won the Teen Choice Award for Choice Scene Stealer. Since then, her career has grown across film and global streaming — with titles such as Do Revenge (2022) and Música (2023) — cementing her as one of the most compelling Latina voices in contemporary Hollywood. Mendes embodied a sense of depth and sensuality in a Fall Winter 2024 look: the Exotique embroidered maxi dress with removable bow. Crafted in black silk crepe, the design is adorned with intricate crystal embellishments that compose Amapola flowers in rich burgundy and forest green hues. Drawing inspiration from late 19th-century orientalist art, the piece evokes a world of intensity, craftsmanship, and refined femininity.
In contrast, Paris Jackson has forged a distinct identity as a musician, actress, model, and activist — navigating the weight of her father Michael Jackson's legendary legacy with authenticity and purpose. Her path encompasses her debut album Wilted (2020), a prominent modeling career with IMG Models, editorial covers of Rolling Stone and Harper's Bazaar, and dedicated advocacy work as ambassador for the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation and the Heal Los Angeles Foundation. Jackson embraced a lighter, more instinctive expression of the brand in the Vision Seeking mini dress from the Pre-Fall 2024 collection. Crafted in embroidered voile, the silhouette is defined by its airy construction, where lace insets and tonal embroidery create subtle dimension and movement. The result is a look that feels effortless, modern, and quietly expressive.
Together, these appearances reflect the duality at the heart of Johanna Ortiz — where structure meets fluidity, and tradition evolves through contemporary femininity.
