The triumph of "fashion with purpose": the story of Chechy Murillo, the Antioquian winner of the Mujer Cafam 2026 award
There was a time when the world of Cecilia Estela Murillo Palomeque, Chechy, fit in a suitcase and was supported by a single crutch. It was the year 2011 and that...
TL;DR
- Cecilia Estela Murillo Palomeque, 'Chechy', won the Mujer Cafam 2026 award for her work with Fundación Moda y Flores.
- Chechy moved to Medellín in 2011 with limited resources but a strong determination to pursue her dreams.
- Her foundation, established in 2015, uses fashion techniques like crochet and macramé to empower over 2,400 people annually.
- The program focuses on providing economic autonomy and mental health support to afro-descendant women, people with disabilities, and single mothers.
- The award recognizes her as a symbol of resilience and her role in creating inclusive fashion runways.
- Mentions of honor were also given to Adriana Vanessa Tisoy (Putumayo) for indigenous ancestral memory and Angela Fiorenza Aguirre (La Guajira) for providing safe water.