Glenkora Comte, Ecological Designer
Glenkora Comte is an Ecuadorian designer based in Washington, D.C. She has 14 years of experience in fashion design, with an emphasis on ecological sustainability and fair trade. Born in Guayaquil-Ecuador, Glenkora is considered one of today’s most innovative ecological designers, encouraging sustainable fashion worldwide. She launched her design career in Quito with the Ritual Fashion Event in 2007. In 2008 she created “Fashion on the Dance Floor,” a unique fashion show concept combining fashion and music for Converse in Ecuador. In 2009 she founded ARI, the Ecological Design Association of which she is currently president. Based in Quito, ARI reflects Comte’s longstanding commitment to help women through design. Her leadership has led her to life-changing collaborations with associations of artisans, women weavers, institutes and universities. In 2009, she was invited to participate in the United Nation’s “International Year of Natural Fibers.”
In 2009 Comte also created the Young Entrepreneur’s Contest, “Designing the Future” with 47 students from institutes and universities. Through this and other initiatives, she spawned a new generation of ecological designers in Quito, Ecuador. She has partnered with the city of Quito’s Municipal Government to obtain venues, including the Museum of the City and other historic sites where she coordinated fashion shows and cultural events. In 2012, Glenkora represented Ecuador through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the MIAMI BEACH INTERNATIONAL FASHION WEEK with her “Ecuador Loves Life” (Ecuador Ama la Vida) collection. Her collection fused hand-loomed artisanal fabrics combined with Lenzing’s TENCEL. She also featured footwear made with recycled techniques and Tagua accessories with her collection, which was showcased on Fashion TV. Today, Glenkora is internationally recognized as a pioneer among modern designers for blending ecologically sustainable fabrics (such as Lenzing) with artisanal fabrics to create unique and timeless pieces.
