Alfaro showed a passion for design ever since she was a child, often designing clothes for family and friends.
Alfaro reached international fame in Latin America, Europe and the United States during the 1960s, in which she also created the Instituto Carlota Alfaro, aimed towards passing on her knowledge to young fashion design students. Alfaro's specialty was haute couture.
Alfaro has received many international awards, and her collections have been sold at a variety of famous stores.