From Conflict to Couture: Katerine Avella’s Fight for Peace in Colombia

Katerine Avella, a community leader and peace signatory who previously served as a combatant in Colombia’s decades-long civil war, has established a fashion brand called Ixora as part of a broader effort toward reconciliation and reintegration.

The project originated in a small sewing workshop located in Catatumbo, Colombia. This workshop was established as one of the dividends of the 2016 peace agreement between the Colombian Government and FARC rebels, intended to facilitate the reintegration of former combatants and address the trauma of the conflict.

For Avella and other former fighters, the workshop provided a necessary environment for training, empowerment, and care. The space was designed to help women learn a trade, support one another, and regain their confidence within a territory heavily impacted by violence, while also serving as a tool to prevent gender-based violence.

From Basic Apparel to High Fashion

Avella initially co-founded a project called Stitches for Peace alongside several other women. In its early stages, the venture focused on the production of uniforms, T-shirts, and sweatshirts.

The project shifted its focus toward high fashion in 2021. This transition occurred after Avella met Lina Garcés through an initiative led by the UN Verification Mission in Colombia.

Garcés is an economist educated at the Externado University and the founder of Lina’s Closet, a second-hand clothing boutique based in Cúcuta. Garcés had previously described her boutique as selling second-chance clothes, a concept that aligned with the goals of the ex-combatants’ project.

Despite the alignment of their goals, Garcés initially had reservations about participating. Her own history was tied to the armed conflict, as her family had been victims of a kidnapping.

Current Challenges and Sustainability

While the brand Ixora represents a transition from conflict to the catwalk, the project currently faces significant instability. Violence has returned to the region, creating new obstacles for the business and the women involved.

Avella is currently focusing her efforts on keeping the project afloat amidst these renewed security challenges. The initiative continues to operate under the philosophy that Peace must be sewn, stitch by stitch.