Vuelo de Maiz

This collection explores the ambiguity that exists in multicultural identity. Through the process of remembrance, I seek to clear the vagueness of my connection to family and home. I sift through memories of my grandmother, finding the correlations between her fine artwork and my designs. In this action, I am desperate to feed my desire for belonging, to validate my identity, and to certify my Mexican heritage. My designs are a result of this investigation, yielding a continuation of Mexican craft, my grandmother's memory, and the history that I am a part of. The collection’s selection of textures and colors highlights the practices of my home country. Reds and plums are indicative of natural dyeing with cochineal bugs, and twin knotting is inspired by yuca rope-making practices from haciendas all over Mexico. Corn husks, or hojas de maiz, take center stage in my designs, being a material that both my grandmother and I have taken inspiration from. Furthermore, corn husks have historical significance within Mesoamerican cultures and the human life cycle. With all these aspects, I hope to honor my grandmother and the history I am a part of.