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Creative Design: Graduate

Juana Dress: Homage to Immigrant Women and Artisanal Craftsmanship

Author
  • Bryan Barrientos (Fashion Institute of Technology)

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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Published on
2025-01-20

Peer Reviewed