Martín Churba and fashion as artistic expression

Martín Churba is an Argentine designer known for his experimental approach to textiles and fashion. Founder of Tramando, he blends art, design, and social commitment. His work redefines the boundaries between clothing and artistic expression, rooted in Latin American identity.

A designer who wove his own path

Martín Churba is one of the most influential figures in contemporary Argentine design. Born in 1969, he developed an authorial vision from a young age, blending art, clothing, and textiles. His work stands out for its manual and conceptual experimentation processes that redefined local fashion. From the 1990s to today, his name is linked to creative risk, material innovation, and a strong identity imprint.

First steps in design

Initially trained in Fine Arts, Churba began to see textiles as a medium of expression. His first major project was with Jessica Trosman, with whom he founded Trosman-Churba in 1997. The brand broke new ground with handcrafted fabrics and unconventional cuts, becoming a symbol of exportable Buenos Aires design. In a short time, they gained access to international fairs like Pitti Immagine and Paris salons, attracting buyers from Tokyo to New York.

Tramando: a textile laboratory

In 2003, after parting creatively from Trosman, he founded Tramando, a brand-concept that also works as a textile lab. At Tramando, the focus is on the process, not just the result. Each collection begins with technical and conceptual research. The fabrics are designed and printed in-house using methods developed by the team. This approach sets him apart in a market saturated with industrial repetition.

Commitment to sustainability and social impact

Churba was one of the first Argentine designers to work with textile cooperatives, bringing women from neighborhood workshops and community associations into his team. This decision, beyond its social value, also enriched his aesthetics. Tramando doesn’t just produce unique pieces; it builds networks of conscious production. In his workshops, technical knowledge is combined with artistic creativity.

Art and fashion: defining intersections

Martín Churba’s work goes beyond traditional fashion. He has exhibited at the Buenos Aires Museum of Modern Art, Fundación PROA, and participated in design biennials. His garments are conceived as textile art surfaces and are often displayed as installations. For him, clothing is not only something worn, but something that speaks. His design thinking aligns him more with a visual artist than a classic fashion designer.

Recognition and international trajectory

In 2012, he received the Konex Award Diploma of Merit in the Fashion Design category. Tramando has dressed celebrities, artists, dancers, and musicians. His work has been featured in international media such as The New York Times, Wallpaper, and Vogue. Beyond the runway, Churba is committed to cultural dissemination. He has given lectures at universities and design fairs, encouraging new creators to find their own voice.

A vision that sparked debate

Throughout his career, he has not been immune to criticism. Some voices pointed to a certain inaccessibility in his proposals, accusing him of aesthetic elitism. Rather than rejecting these critiques, Churba embraced them as part of the discussion. In interviews, he has acknowledged that his work aims to provoke questions rather than provide answers. In this sense, his art-design acts as a constructive provocation.

Present and legacy

He continues to create from his studio in Recoleta. Tramando remains active with capsule collections, collaborations, and unique products. His legacy goes beyond clothing: it is a way of understanding design as language and as a social tool. Churba defined an era but also opened paths for others to forge their own, in an industry he helped rethink from the Global South.