Libertas*Gea
Pasarela Rosa 2010 | Palacio de Bellas Artes, Santo Domingo
“Libertas*Gea is the name of Carlos de Moya’s collection. Through it, he wants to signify today that we, as human beings, cannot continue walking with blindfolded eyes, without using our voice and without wanting to hear the cry of the earth or take advantage of this opportunity that is offered to us to evolve, to grow our sense of conservation and finally liberate our planet… this cry is necessary to turn it into a shout of freedom.” — ListÃn Diario, April 15, 2010
PROJECT CONCEPT
In early 2010, I was invited to join fellow Dominican designers for Pasarela Rosa 2010, an event organized by the Asociación Dominicana de Cronistas Sociales at the Palacio de Bellas Artes. The theme was Mother Nature, and each of us was asked to interpret it through our own creative lens.
For me, this became Libertas*Gea—a liberation song for Gaia herself.
- Environmental Awakening: Libertas*Gea marked CDM's first collection with an explicit environmental message, calling for humanity to "hear the cry of the earth" and embrace conservation. The collection's name itself—combining "Libertas" (Latin for freedom) and "Gea" (Gaia, the earth goddess)—positioned fashion as a vehicle for social consciousness years before sustainability became mainstream in Caribbean fashion.
- Theatrical Innovation: Breaking from traditional runway conventions, Carlos collaborated with dance company Núcleo Extremo to create an immersive performance that left audiences calling it "the highlight of the night" and "the fresh air" Pasarela Rosa needed. This fusion approach became a signature of the CDM aesthetic, proving that fashion shows could be transformative theatrical experiences.
- Discovering Artistic DNA: This collection represented a pivotal moment of self-discovery—the bridge between the romantic ballet-inspired En Pointe and the tribal spirituality of Pulowi. Through Libertas*Gea, Carlos crystallized his unique voice: a designer whose theater training, dance passion, and fashion vision merge into something distinctly Caribbean and utterly original.
Across 13 looks presented in a 7-minute show, I wove together silk gazar, prints that evoked the earth goddess, delicate lace, hand embroidery, and flowing fringes. But I knew that after watching several designers’ collections, the audience would need more than a traditional runway presentation. Drawing from my theater background and my dancer’s heart, I created a déjà vu—a moment that transcended fashion.
I collaborated with the dance group Núcleo Extremo to craft an experience where movement and fabric became one language. This wasn’t just fashion; it was a declaration of who CDM is—a designer whose soul dances between disciplines, between the romantic poetry of En Pointe (2009) and the tribal energy of Pulowi (2010, upcoming).
Libertas*Gea was my transition between two chapters of my professional and personal life. It was where I began to truly discover my artistic DNA—the synthesis of fashion, theater, dance, and message. The response was overwhelming. Guests approached me throughout the night, calling it “the highlight,” “the best show,” “the fresh air” that the evening needed.
This collection wasn’t just about beautiful clothes. It was a cry to awaken—to see with open eyes, to use our voices, to hear the earth’s plea. It was about evolution, conservation, and ultimately, liberation. For the planet. For ourselves.
Because fashion, at its best, should move us—literally and spiritually—toward something better.
