1. cre ar+ (@uno.crear.mas) stands out as luxury sustainable wear inspired by artists and makers made intentionally, responsibly, and beautifully. Founded by Yola Colón, an architect, art historian, and art collector from Puerto Rico, the clothing brand reflects her passion for both artistry and craftsmanship. Originally established in 1999 as Yola Colón, Yola reimagined her brand in 2020, launching 1. cre ar+, which is Spanish/English wordplay where one recognizes the word ‘art’, and then hidden in the wordplay, an encouragement to create, as in the Spanish ‘crear.’
Drawing inspiration from architecture and workwear, 1. cre ar+ creates clothing with meticulous attention to detail. Every piece features a tailored silhouette with refined finishes, using renewable materials and ensuring fair compensation for all makers. Proudly crafted in New York City, the brand empowers wearers to navigate urban life with confidence and elegance.
As a long-time designer in New York City’s Garment District, Yola recognizes her Latinx heritage as a valuable asset. “I’ve been making fashion since 1999, and I’ve seen firsthand the challenges the Latinx community faces in this industry—low wages and lack of benefits,” Yola says. Her experience fuels her commitment to ethical fashion, advocating for fair treatment and opportunities for Latinx workers.
At the core of 1. cre ar+ is a commitment to sustainability. For Yola, this means more than using eco-friendly materials; it involves local craftsmanship, slow manufacturing, and making thoughtful choices. “Our goal is to positively impact the environment, especially in the Caribbean and Puerto Rico, where I’m from,” she explains.
Looking ahead, Yola dreams of opening skilled workrooms in Puerto Rico, specifically in La Aguja, to provide opportunities for artisans. She hopes to inspire others in the Latinx community to believe in the possibility of building successful, sustainable businesses. Her advice to aspiring Latinx entrepreneurs? “Be mindful of sourcing and production; make locally within our community.”
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yolanda colón - greenberg / (yola) is an architect, art historian, and art collector. yola received an architectural degree from cornell university and a master of art history from the institute of fine arts. in 1999, yola established the brand yola colón.
two things happened that made yola reconsider her practice:
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devastating climate destruction in her native land of Puerto Rico caused by Hurricane Maria
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witnessing the change in gen Z shopping habits and their desire not to patronize fast fashion.
in response, yola wanted to limit any wasteful practices inherent in the industry in her work. she saw a direct line between waste in the fashion business and the destruction in puerto rico. at the same time, she observed her daughter and how she thinks about clothes, being thoughtful about how her choices might impact a fragile planet. she would never compromise for a fashion fix.
for yola, these ways of being ignited 1. cre ar+
and yet, yola is an architect and designer above all and at the end of the day, the creative process is her inspiration for slowing down fashion
keeping the core of nyc made, highly crafted, urban chic design while working sustainably, in 2022,
1. cre ar+ emerged.
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sarah gannholm joins 1. cre ar+ as visual architect. sarah is a multi-disciplinary designer, photographer, and editor. sarah is interested in the creative process of makers and the history of the evolution of design. sarah holds an architectural degree from cornell university.
your interest in 1. cre ar+ and our investment in sustainable fashion means to world to us. Please send any comments or questions to our email at info@unocrearmas.com , leave a review of your experience or visit us on instagram @uno.crear.mas
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for stockists
if you are interested in a collaboration with 1. cre ar+ for a specific capsule please contact us at info@unocrearmas.com
