In La Quinta, Calif., on Thursday just ahead of Coachella weekend, Caravana marked 15 years with a private evening set against the desert horizon.
“I always love coming here. I love the light,” brand owner Artem del Castillo said of the Coachella Valley.
Set in a sprawling, modern residence in a gated community, open terraces and low-slung architecture framed uninterrupted views of the mountains and a lake, surrounded by lush greenery, as a pink-orange sunset began to take shape.
“It felt right,” del Castillo continued, of hosting the celebration during festival weekend. “There has always been this very natural affinity around music.”
Music carried across the property with artist Sophia Ziskin, known as Fifi, DJing, as guests lounged poolside, chatting in small groups with drinks in hand. The crowd included Becky G, Shanina Shaik, Marta Pozzan and Winnie Harlow.
“Their garments are so beautiful and so whimsical,” said Harlow, dressed in a softly draped, nude dress. Around her, guests were similarly outfitted in the brand, in a cohesive palette of neutrals. “I just wanted to come support.”
Founded in Valladolid, Mexico, Caravana is rooted in artisanal process and an instinctive relationship to the body and environment. For del Castillo, of United Nomads Group, who acquired the brand three years ago, its appeal was immediate. “It was love at first sight for me when I saw the product even as a consumer,” he said. Caravana’s production has since expanded globally, with pieces made across Mexico, India, Italy and Portugal.
The brand’s foundation, he continued, lies in a “new modern nomadism,” shaped by travel, spirituality and a more conscious way of living. Del Castillo plans to take that vision into fragrance, home and childrenswear. “That girl that was dancing in Tulum…she’s now grown up, she has kids, and she’s been loyal. We will honor her, whilst also evolving the brand.”
He is also taking the brand on the road, with plans for trunk shows, collaborations and activations across the U.S., Ibiza, London, the Hamptons and the Greek islands, building on its presence between destinations like Tulum and Mykonos.
“This is a very big start of the year for Caravana. For me, it’s a very exciting new chapter,” he said, adding, “The breakdown of traditional retail is interesting, because as sad as it is, it presents an opportunity to go out there and talk to people that are actually interested in touching the product, hearing the story, having a discovery moment, exploration.”
For now, his focus was on the present, taking the weekend as it comes. A “big electronic music fan,” he’s keeping his schedule open. “For me, Coachella is part planning, part getting lost.”
Harlow had a similar approach, balancing loose plans with time spent with her younger sister.
“I came to Coachella this year because this is my little sister’s first Coachella,” she smiled. “I was like, you know what, I’m down. Let me show my little sister a good time.”
She’s looking forward to the headlining performances: “Karol G and I are friends, so I’m super excited. Justin Bieber’s iconic, and Sabrina Carpenter, I’ve never seen her perform yet, and I’ve been dying to.”
Her looks are set, with the setting shaping her approach to dressing, she said, pulling up a photo of an earth-toned outfit she plans to wear, featuring fringe and boots, including a Caravana top. “I love to tap into that desert feel when it comes to Coachella.”