Trend 2026: the influence of Latin America in the creative universe

After the wave of minimalism, quiet luxury and other aesthetic trends that are more aligned with European and Eastern culture than with the rest of the world, it is quite likely that we will see the renaissance of Latinity in the coming years. According to WGSN – a company specialized in trend research of behavior and consumption –, Latin America will become one of the world’s main centers of cultural and creative innovation, impacting different areas, ranging from fashion and interior design to food and beverages.

The reason for this movement lies in the period of uncertainties we are experiencing globally. The instabilities are many! From tense political scenarios to frantic technological transitions, complex scenarios drive us to seek feelings of belonging, authenticity, and purpose. According to WGSN's study, that is why Latin America is consolidating itself as a source of inspiration for the entire world. And this is not only due to the natural creativity of Latinos but also their ability to innovate in the face of challenges, promote inclusion and sustainability, and create authentic experiences.

WGSN also points out that, just as the European Renaissance (from the 14th to 16th centuries) marked an era of intellectual and artistic transformation, we will see henceforth the strengthening – or renaissance – of Latin creativity, causing creatives worldwide to shift their focus from Eurocentrism and open up to plural voices, stories with deep roots and authentic aesthetics. And we have all this right here. Additionally, we will also witness an increase in the development of products and marketing strategies focused on Latin America.

A series of cultural and strategic factors identified by WGSN drive this change. Among them, we can highlight:

• Identity pride: 84% of the Latino Generation Z claims to be proud of their origin, and 76% states that being Latino says a lot about who they are;
• Economic and geopolitical transformations: the advancement of nearshoring – a strategy where companies bring their production and distribution closer to neighboring countries – has put Latin America on the global map of innovation and efficiency. According to WGSN, this reflects the strengthening of a regional community sense that values local connections and collective knowledge;
• Creative economy on the rise: brands, artists, creators, and local collectives are reshaping consumption and cultural patterns. They have stopped seeking external validation and have begun to influence, aesthetically and conceptually, the rest of the world.

Attention to signals

This shift of focus to Latin America as a creative power has already begun to impact various sectors, such as design, technology, gastronomy, fashion, and the creative economy. In fashion, for instance, the renowned platform Business of Fashion (BoF) included Brazilian Kátia Barros, creative director of Farm, and Colombian Sebastián Diéz, president of Inexmoda, on their prestigious list of the most influential personalities in the global fashion industry. In gastronomy, the Peruvian restaurant Maido and the Mexican restaurant Quintonil have been recognized among The World’s 50 Best Restaurants, one of the most respected rankings in the sector.

In cinema, this movement of change and focus is even stronger. In 2019, the Mexican film Roma, directed by Alfonso Cuarón, won three Oscars and introduced Yalitza Aparicio, the first indigenous Mexican woman nominated for Best Actress, symbolizing the power of local narratives in universal impact. Brazil has gained prominence again with the film Ainda Estou Aqui, winner of the Oscar for Best International Film in 2025, and the recognition of actress Fernanda Torres worldwide. Meanwhile, the new film by Wagner Moura, Agente Secreto, emerges as a promise for future awards.

Now, we just need to tune our antennas to see how this movement of valuing Latin America will be translated into the universe of architecture and interior design. The trend is that we will see many colors, prints, and regionalities out there.