Juana Dress: Homage to Immigrant Women and Artisanal Craftsmanship
Abstract
Taking inspiration from the designer’s mother, Juana, this design celebrates the perseverance of women who have taken risks to immigrate and fight for a better future. During the production of the Juana Dress, the designer collaborated with an embroidery artisan in Oaxaca, Mexico, to reinterpret the traditional Grecas: carved stone geometric motifs found in the local ancient ruins. The inspiration for the dress design elements and silhouette include couture-informed bustier seaming and leg of mutton sleeves juxtaposed with a zipped puffer jacket that the designer, a first generation American, wore in his childhood. Not many designers have engaged with the topic of immigration and displacement. Juana Dress provides a unique contribution by narrating the story of Peruvian/Mexican/American immigration while highlighting relevant contemporary issues like displacement and immigration. While reinventing traditional artisanal and couture techniques, this dress gives voice to underprivileged and often overlooked immigrant women.
Keywords: Embrodiery, Local, Immigrant, craftmanship
How to Cite:
Barrientos, B., (2025) “Juana Dress: Homage to Immigrant Women and Artisanal Craftsmanship”, International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference Proceedings 81(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/itaa.18884
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