Nox Societe x House of Montalvo: The Dark Feminine Desert Runway

SAN DIEGO – Beneath the blazing sky of the Glamis Sand Dunes, an awe-inspiring fashion production unfolded. As the wind swept through the sand it carried the silhouettes of models draped in flowing dark fabrics. At the heart of this unforgettable event was Alejandro Berrio, the founder of Nox Societe. His ambitious vision and impressive background in production turned the remote desert into a stage for the Dune Collection by Astrid Montalvo.

Berrio learned early on what it takes to handle large-scale events through directing Tampa Connect Fashion Week. For this show, however, the stakes were even higher. “I wanted to do something big just like I did last year, but even bigger,” he said, a sentiment that’s become central to his creative process. 

He first visited the desert in the summer of 2024 to explore the landscape. “We just came to see it, to walk it, and then we saw the beautiful sunset,” he recalled. It wasn’t long after that Berrio watched YSL’s 2021 summer runway show, set in the Dubai desert. That, he said, was the final push. 

“I remember thinking, I feel like I can do that.” And so, the collaboration with House of Montalvo, led by designer Astrid Montalvo, was born. 

Known for her dark, rock-and-roll aesthetic, Montalvo’s designs blended effortlessly with Berrio’s grand vision. Together, they brought a gothic femininity to the light desert, creating a breathtaking contrast. The models, 36 in total, moved through the dunes in a single file line, all demanding space in the otherwise empty landscape. 

Montalvo’s designs are all grounded in sustainability, with each piece being made from recycled materials, and this show was absolutely no exception. The pieces are available for rent, a reflection of Montalvo’s commitment to making luxury fashion accessible. 

“I want everybody to be able to take an event or a photoshoot and look absolutely amazing. I want them to feel like a celebrity,” she explained. 

Montalvo spent the year curating fabrics, vintage pins, vintage blazers, and recycled pieces for the Dune Collection. Sustainability continues to be a staple for the designer, alongside her passion for the dark feminine. Each piece is uniquely its own, featuring an endless variety of texture, shape, and movement. 

The energy at the dunes was electric, model Suzuzana accrediting much of it to Montalvo’s upbeat attitude. “She’s always smiling and dancing. There she goes now” she said, pointing across the way to the designer as she threw her arms in the air, a bright smile on her face. 

For Montalvo, the emotional impact of the collection was just as important as the aesthetics. “I want them to be shocked,” she said. “Just in awe that it’s not AI and it’s actually real. Those outfits are real, and they’re light, and anybody can afford them.” 

Everything is for rent at just  $10 per piece, and Berrios production showcased how she would style the pieces on you.

As the sun set, and the production that was four months in the making came to a successful close, Berrio spoke to the future of Nox Societe. “I’m aiming to do three productions every year, and for two of them to be this capacity of video production,” he said. “I just want to keep growing. To do it bigger and better every time.”

CREDITS:

Written & Photographed: Katherine O’Connor

Sienna Tebbe - BTS (digicam, cannon cam, and cam corder)

Macie Weber- BTS (digicam, cannon cam, and cam corder)