Zajar creates his collections by tapping into the inspiration he receives from tropical locales. Through his work, he often highlights what he perceives to be the heightened sensuality that women of the Caribbean portray. His designs show the feminine figure seductively through the predominate use of cuts on the bias and asymmetrical hemlines. He uses a multitude of color options, from metallic reds to the subtlest pastels, in everything he designs -- from splendid gala creations and party dresses to classic suits.

"When Hernán made his U.S. debut at Fashion Week in 1999, he was an immediate sensation," said Beth Sobol, founder and executive producer of Fashion Week of the Americas. "His vitality, joie de vivre and multi-colored sense of living are glamorous and feminine without being over-the-top. His sense of style is perfect for the American market."

Zajar became involved in the fashion industry after studying tourism administration in Barcelona and working in Caribbean hotels. Upon returning to Bogotá, he opened a restaurant and quickly learned that, rather than designing menus, he preferred to design the fashion events that took place at his café.

So, he left the restaurant business and in the short decade that followed firmly established himself as a leading presence on the Colombian fashion front. As his career progressed, he fine-tuned his affinity with show business, designing many of the costumes seen on Colombian television and adorning the bodies of pageant contestants.

In addition to his namesake fashion lines, Zajar is an advisor to the Arturo Tejada Cano Fashion Design School and to the Bogotá Chamber of Commerce. His designs have appeared in numerous editorial layouts, including Vanidades, Elle International and Top Model of Mexico. Besides the FWA "New Star in Fashion" Award, Zajar is the recipient of four Vandidades magazine awards, first place in the "fantasy costume" competition at the National Beauty Contest in Cartagena and the Johnny Walker Award of Creativity

FWA will take place March 19 - 23, 2002, in fashion tents erected on the sand behind the Roney Palace Beach Resort, 2399 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach. A limited number of tickets to all FWA fashion shows and events are available to the public. Tickets are $10 for each fashion show and $75 for the closing show, Awards presentation and after party at Level. Tickets and an FWA schedule are both available online at www.FashionWeekAmericas.com.

Launched in 1999, Fashion Week of the Americas was created to provide a forum offering international exposure specifically for designers from Latin America and the Caribbean. Founded by Sobol Fashion Productions, Inc., FWA has quickly grown to become one of the most respected fashion events in the world and the largest showcase of Latin American and Caribbean design talent in the U.S.