Today we’d like to introduce you to Luisa Babarczy, Alejandra Bravo
Hi Luisa Babarczy, Alejandra Bravo, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
South to North was founded by Luisa Babarczy and Alejandra Bravo, two Colombians who have lived in Houston for over 24 years. Luisa is originally from Bogotá, and Alejandra is from Medellín. They proudly consider themselves both very Colombian and very Texan. Although they both attended The University of Texas at Austin, their paths didn’t cross until 2019, when they met at the Latin American Fashion Summit in Cartagena, Colombia.
At the time, they had no idea they would eventually start their own consulting studio, but that was the AHA moment that sparked their decision to join forces. They envisioned creating a space where Latin American brands could find the support they needed to expand into the U.S. market, particularly in Texas.
Luisa was working as an editorial stylist with a focus on brand DNA and visual identity. Her passion for including LATAM brands in her productions opened many doors, allowing her to build strong connections with designers. Alejandra came from a corporate and finance background, holding a Master’s degree from Parsons in the Business of Fashion. When the two sat down to talk, they realized there was both a need and an opportunity to merge their strengths—Luisa’s visual and creative expertise with Alejandra’s business acumen—to offer comprehensive consulting services to brands new to the U.S. market.
In their journey as South to North, Luisa and Alejandra have helped brands from the early stages of production and design to creating business plans and market strategies. Their efforts have led to major milestones, such as launching the world-renowned Colombian brand Agua by Agua Bendita’s first-ever U.S. retail store in the prestigious Highland Park Village in Dallas, and bringing international resort wear brand Maygel Coronel’s first U.S. store to Houston’s luxury shopping destination, River Oaks District.
South to North is also set to open its own store in the newest high-end mixed-use development, Autry Park. This space will feature a carefully curated selection of Latin American brands and designers making their debut in Houston.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Like anything built with care, our journey has had its ups and downs. While we focus on supporting and guiding brands to navigate and understand the Texas market, we’ve also learned a great deal from them—their unique journeys, passions, and goals.
Our biggest challenge has likely been finding the balance between our passion for storytelling about LATAM brands and the need for viable business strategies tailored to the various stages of a brand’s growth. We’ve invested in promising projects, diving in wholeheartedly, but like many in the fashion industry, some have struggled under the pressure of a constantly changing retail landscape. Despite these challenges, we continue to approach our work with the same passion and commitment, though now with more measured and strategic steps.
As mothers and Latina entrepreneurs, balancing personal life with running a business has been a steep learning curve. We constantly juggle multiple tasks and wear many hats, but it has shaped us into more resilient and adaptable leaders.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
At South to North, we specialize in helping Latin American brands expand into the U.S. market, particularly Texas. We guide these brands through every stage, from storytelling and brand positioning to crafting viable business strategies that ensure long-term success.
We are known for our supreme relationships with top commercial real estate partners, we offer an incubator format that allows brands to play the long game in the revived brick-and-mortar retail scene.
We take pride in bringing innovative designs that not only capture the allure of Latin America but also introduce exciting new style avenues for the Texas woman and what sets us apart is our passion for LATAM storytelling, combined with a strategic, hands-on approach that ensures each brand’s unique identity thrives, while our deep market knowledge and strong partnerships provide the foundation for lasting growth.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
We love that Houston is such a highly diverse city—it plays an important role in what we do. The city’s rich cultural backgrounds and talented people create countless opportunities for creativity and growth.
We’re also big fans of Houston’s restaurant scene—there are so many amazing places to eat!
And, like most Houstonians, we’d probably say the humidity can be a bit of a pain, but we’ve discovered it’s great for our skin, so… we’ll take it! 😉
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