Maldonado was a writer for Esquire magazine from 1971 to 1975 but since Carlota Alfaro, Carolina Herrera and Oscar De La Renta, among many others, were gracing magazine covers and fashion shows around the world at the time, he gained little attention even among Hispanic fashion experts and clients. But Maldonado has always shown great taste, and the most important talent in your and my fashion world, the talent to be a chameleon and go from one style to the other as the occasion calls for it.

One of Maldonado’s trademark is his ability to highlight a person’s skin tones with the colors he uses on his outfits and jewelry. Of course, his creations have a tropical accent to them, but tropical can also be tasty. Maldonado’s works are usually inspired by his surroundings, as he has lived in Puerto Rico full time since returning from New York in 1976. The one thing that can also be said about Nono is he is versatile, as he has also overseen the interior designing of the Cervantes hotel in San Juan and done other types of designing.

His luxurious collections are not exclusive to women only. Luckily for us the guys, his men’s collections have been recognized across the world, as this haute couture artist keeps showing enough talent to last a lifetime or two…or three.

For the last few years, Nono has been literally putting on a show at the San Juan Fashion Week events, his dresses, jewelry and other creations becoming the highlight staple there. The San Juan Fashion Week is steadfastly gaining respect among fashion designers, experts and the entire industry. It is not as important as the New York or Dallas Fashion Week or similar events in Dubai, Rome, Paris and London, but without a question, it is the most known fashion event in Latin America, and Nono’s designs definitely add a touch of class to the event.

Like most of us who are more or less fashionistas, Nono loves bright colors. Depending on the creation, he also has different colored necklaces available, from simple brown ones inspired by the wood and the palms of San Juan, to soft, transparent pearls that match with any purse, dress or shoes. Definitely, Nono Maldonado is a man who is a coming force in the fashion world, if that can be said about someone who has actually been around for 30 years or so.

One aspect about Nono’s creations is that they have been worn by major celebrities, but are also affordable to the less surreal people, like you and me. That may have also something to do with the settings near which he has lived almost his entire life. Puerto Rico is a place where actual celebrities are usually approachable, unlike the hush hush world of Hollywood and Brangelina or TomKat. While Puerto Rican celebrities are nothing compared to Hollywood ones, they usually are at ease with crowds and willing to greet people in person or sign autographs. So you may ask yourself, what does that have to do with Nono’s creations and their affordability? Nothing and everything. He makes fashion exquisite enough for celebrities to wear them but affordable enough for the more regular people like you and me to wear them, and look good on them. If you visit Puerto Rico, you need to stop by this haute couture master’s store and gallery at Ashford avenue in San Juan, because that’s where it all is at.

I promise that after one visit to his store, you will know who Nono Maldonado is for the rest of your life.