Colombian designer Adriana Castro was honored with the Miami 2011 Award in the Women’s Handbags category by the U.S. Commerce Association (USCA).

The USCA "Best of Local Business" Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USCA identifies companies that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.

Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2011 USCA Award Program focuses on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the USCA and data provided by third parties.

This is a milestone in the ascendant career of the creative designer who this year had the honor of opening the runway with her collection at Bogota’s Third International Fashion Week.  Her accessories and handbags are made with exotic skins including crocodile, ostrich and python and are a favorite of a bevy of Hollywood superstars including Eva Longoria, Jennifer Lopez, Kim Kardashian, Heidi Klum and Sarah Jessica Parker among dozens of other celebrities.  Renowned stylist Patricia Field chose five of her handbags to be part of the wardrobe of the girls in the movie “Sex and the City 2”.  Press has also embraced Adriana Castro’s designs.  Prestigious publications such as Vogue have included her pieces in their pages. In 2009, Adriana received the “Audience Fan Favorite” from Handbag Designer 101, In 2010 she received “Best Designer of the Year” at the Handbag Awards and she’s obtained two nominations to the Rising Star Award from The Fashion Group International.

Castro is characterized for working with Colombian artisans in order to preserve the tradition and cultural expression. Given that such work is the basis of livelihood and survival for the indigenous community of the country, it is of great importance for Adriana to guarantee the artisan life and ancestral legacy for generations to come.

For more information on Adriana Castro please visit: www.adrianacastroonline.com