Johanna Ortiz Threw a Fashionable Fiesta at Casa Cruz

For those not lucky enough to already be hot-footing it on their summer travels, Johanna Ortiz brought a sense of escapism right to their doorstep instead. Taking over Casa Cruz with her signature colorful and print-heavy flair, Ortiz ensured the swanky Upper East Side member’s club looked like a living, breathing campaign—with models and tastemakers frocked up in her creations holding court in every corner.

Thursday evening’s bash marked a momentous milestone for the label. A stone’s throw away at 799 Madison Avenue, the first international store had flung open its doors. And rounding out her triptych, the designer had also revealed her Resort 2025 collection earlier that day.

The boutique is a welcome opportunity for New Yorkers to get up close and acquainted with everything Ortiz stands for. While the brand is 20 years in business, it’s only been in the US since 2015—fun fact: the designer was ‘discovered’ by fellow Colombian chicster Lauren Santo Domingo in Cartagena, who subsequently launched the line on Moda Operandi and catapulted it into closets around the world. 

While you’d be mistaken for thinking the store is a museum, with its installations designed by Colombian artists, vintage furniture, Latin art, and jacquard-covered VIP fitting area inspired by Iris Apfel’s red living room. Ortiz explained that the space took five months to perfect since receiving the keys, but it was worth the wait, as she knows it’ll be the perfect permanent billboard for what’s close to her heart. That is, keeping production 100% in her native city to further the reputation of Colombian fashion, and support the advancement of female artisans from underserved backgrounds. If you know what to look for within the space, you’ll notice the abundance of palm seeds for new beginnings, coconuts for prosperity, terracotta for abundance, woven leather for permanence, and crystals for luck.  

Back to Casa Cruz! Ortiz is no stranger to the beaux-arts townhouse on East 61st Street, having designed the lush terrace area for her friend, owner Juan Santa Cruz. In keeping with the theme of the party, La Fortuna, and the aforementioned tenets of good fortune, tables were laden with wildflowers, branches, the brand’s astrology-themed dishes, antique silver lighters, and plenty of Tarot cards for guest’s perusal.

All in, it had the feel of a retro tropicana club-meets-modern Latin house party kind of night, as rum cocktails kept the mood upbeat to the sounds of a DJ set by Isabella Massenet. A little sultry salsa never hurt anyone either, and if the Colombians are in town, one must oblige. Particularly when Ortiz’s hometown, Cali, is considered the salsa capital of the world.

Perhaps it’s time to book that flight to South America—Ortiz gave attendees a taste of what we’re missing. Still, at least we can get our fix on Madison ‘til the time comes.