Guatemala Fashion Week, on it´s 8th edition, reinvents itself to a multi-stage scenario, where it intends to reinforce the national and regional fashion industry with an innovative concept alongside all the creative talent from national designers who take their national identity to a brand new level of excellence.
The inauguration of this event took place in of Guatemala city´s most iconic plazas: "Decima Plaza", a luxurious shopping center located in the heart of "Zona 14". There, on a 300 mtrs, rooftop athletic running track, is where the runways took place. A perfect scenario, where from sunset to nightfall, all the attendees got to witness the creativity of all the designers that showcased their collections during this 1st day of runways.
The 1st segment of the day was a set of collaborations between several Guatemalan brands, where national identity was the main character. Jewelry designers, hand crafted hat and accessories makers, textiles artisans among others, collaborated with fashion designers to showcase what their interpretation of Guatemalan history and culture represents to them. During this shows we got to see a lot traditional textiles incorporated in reinvented or reconstructed pieces for the modern fashionista, a re-imagined concept of traditional wear if you will. Youthful pieces for the modern age with all the cultural background of Guatemala´s national identity.
It was very refreshing (to say the least), to see how embedded Guatemala´s national identity is into their fashion sense, most designers showcased modernized concepts for more wearable pieces, ideal for every imaginable situation and like. Arts and craftsmanship was definitely a protagonist, impeccable workmanship and attention to detail was exquisite.
Xicón
Designed by Keneth Tomás, this collection tittled: "RI B'ÄTZ", was inspired by the process of the creation of the "waist textile", the threads that run through the fabric are a representation of the veins and blood vessels intertwined underneath the skin and roots growing underneath the ground. Cotton was used as a representation of freshness, tranquility and comfort, a symbol of letting go of that which we carry to be able to breath and move forward. Handmade threading and single, continuous stitching are a representation of life´s trajectory and the footprint left behind. The color palette goes from black to white as a representation of peace and tranquility, until a splash of color as a symbol of growth.
This brand is characteristic for celebrating liberty and freedom, life´s enjoyment and the little details that make the difference, characteristics featured in their labor, craftsmanship and use of materials.
Estilo Quetzal
Lienzos e Historias (Canvas & History), that is the name for this collection, inspired by Guatemala itself, an homage to Guatemala, a love letter to it´s land and history, represented by Guatemala´s national bird: the Quetzal, a colorful bird with beautiful, characteristic emerald green feathers and red chest that invokes Guatemala´s name and identity, the national currency, also named after the bird and Guatemala´s rich art and architectural history.
Comfortable, versatile and functional pieces with a sporty - urban style, rooted in traditional textiles with contemporary cuts and designs for highly adaptable pieces. A well balanced collection in collaboration with handmade textiles by "Nan", Elegant and Vanguard Jewelry by ¨Casa del Jade", Handbags by "Etzbal" and hats by "Belula Hats".
Tradition, art and craftsmanship collide into a cohesive collection of ready to wear pieces for the modern man and woman.
Vittoria | Rubi Paz
"Canto A La Libertad" (A song To Freedom), a minimal, bright and colorful, wearable and youthful collection of ready to wear pieces created in collaboration with Guatemalan textile artisans from the Comalapa threaders association, Juana Cholotio from the San Juan La Laguna region and Ismael Yoz. Minimalist pieces with simple, classic cuts and designs with bold colors and statement embroidery that appeal to the modern fashionista.
In this collection we see Guatemalas´s identity written all over the pieces with it´s textiles and fabrics, threading techniques and colorfulness.
Sharkar
Creative director Ricardo Batz, whom was recently in charge of creating the uniforms for the national selection for the Tokyo Olympics athletes, designed a sporty - casual collection in turn for this event, were he applies a modern approach to the needle point textile for a youthful, deconstructed casual look. This collection was impregnated with national identity, taking the traditional Guatemalan fabrics and turning them into contemporary, wearable sporty pieces, something completely out of the box, innovative and creative.
Victoria Rivera
"Lava", a collection made with 100% cotton fabric, elaborated with a pedal threader textile maker (a traditional textile making technique), this collection was inspired by Volcanoes, 3 of the most active in Guatemala; Fuego, Pacaya and Santiaguito, for which the 3 main textiles present in the collection were named after. The color palette´s main character: red, symbolism for fire, passion, action and strength, followed by orange, fuchsia, yellow and white, all bright and happy colors. Wearable, comfortable, colorful and timeless pieces with a lot of thought and craftsmanship put into them.
Complementary to this collection are handbags by "Shanú" and TOJ, elaborated in fine leather encrusted with volcanic rocks and laser designs as well as threaded pieces and jewelry by "JEQO", elaborated with "soutache" thread, volcanic and mineral rocks.
During the 2nd and final segment of the day, attendees got to witness a golden closing in charge of the well known Guatemalan designer: Alexander Ayala, who gave the audience quite a show. A controversial yet authentic and unique collection was on display accompanied by raps from the musician "Kontramarin", friend of the designer.
Alexander Ayala
Ayala is known for his statement pieces, deconstructed fashion, non linear design and manipulation of ideas in turn to remove them from the traditional luxury concept. In this collection titled: "El Triunfo De Los Vencidos" (The Triumph of the Defeated"), he showcases, during the independence bicentenary anniversary, his vision on conquest, independence, values and symbolism; all wrapped up in a ready to wear collection in which he explores fashion as an art construct, using special threading techniques to create modern, wearable pieces for a contemporary, risk taker fashionista.
A conceptual and artful collection in which Ayala explores Guatemala´s history from the very beginning (the Spanish conquest/colonization) and showcases his own interpretation of this history/legacy. From the very concept, the name of the collection, the elements used as iconography/symbolism, the deconstructed pieces and the overall vibe at the show, Ayala gives the spectators something to talk about and most definitely something to think about and of course something to wear while doing so.
And so we reach the end of day one, quite and eventful day, filled with Guatemala´s history, tradition, creativity and innovation from the hands and minds of Guatemalan artisans, designers and creators.
More to come on the 2nd and 3rd days of Guatemala´s Fashion Week so stay tuned!
Photos by Andres Amaya
IG: @andresamayaphoto
Courtesy of Guatemala Fashion Week
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