Mexico accuses Carolina Herrera of plagiarism; It’s a cultural tribute, says the firm

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The Ministry of Culture, asked Carolina Herrera “an explanation for the use of designs and embroidery of indigenous peoples”

Carolina Herrera’s new 2020 cruise collection inspired by “a sunrise in Tulum, the light of Lima, a walk through the city of Mexico (…) or the colors of Cartagena” has generated discomfort in the Government of Mexico, which accuses its designer, Wes Gordon, of cultural appropriation.

The Secretary of Culture, Alejandra Frausto, requested in a letter addressed to Carolina Herrera and the creative director of the firm, Wes Gordon, “an explanation for the use of designs and embroideries of native peoples”.

In that letter, Frausto vindicates “the cultural rights of the indigenous peoples” while requesting that “explain on what grounds they decided to make use of cultural elements whose origin is fully documented.”

“Carolina Herrera’s new 2020 cruise collection is inspired by a colorful and colorful Latin vacation, the dawn of Tulum, the waves in José Ignacio, the dancing in Buenos Aires or the colors of Cartagena”, explains the press release of the signature, belonging to the Puig group.

The designs do not seem to convince the government of Mexico – which considers that Carolina Herrera’s garments contain the worldview of Mexican indigenous peoples – more so when it is working on a bill that protects its art and creativity to avoid plagiarism.

One of the questioned models is a long white dress with bright embroidery of animals and flowers and Frausto points out in that letter that “this embroidery comes from the community of Tenango de Doria (Hidalgo), in these embroideries is the history of the community and each element has a personal, family and community meaning “.

Others are dresses above the knee with colorful embroidered flowers like those made in the region of the isthmus of Tehuantepec, in Oaxaca.

And a third case, in which Wes Gordon has designed some dresses with the typical sarape of Saltillo (Coahuila) that the Indians use to make warm clothes such as ponchos, jorongos, coats or blankets.

“It is a principle of ethical consideration that forces us to call attention and put on the table of sustainable development of the UN an urgent issue: promote inclusion and make visible to the invisible,” the letter ends.

After 37 years in the world of fashion and 72 fashion shows, Venezuelan Carolina Herrera bid farewell two years ago to the creative direction of the firm she created in 1981 and took the reins Wes Gordon, in charge of creating this latest collection Crucero 2020 that has generated annoyances to the Mexican government.

It is a tribute to the culture of Mexico, says the creative director

The creative director of Carolina Herrera, Wes Gordon, said that the garments of his collection Resort 2020 pay homage to the “Mexican cultural wealth”.

He explained through a statement that his collection “pays tribute to the richness of Mexican culture” and recognized the “wonderful and diverse artisanal work” of Mexico. The collection is inspired by its colors and its artisanal techniques.

“The presence of Mexico is indisputable in this collection,” said Wes Gordon, “it is something that is obvious and that I wanted to leave at all times as a sign of my love for this country and for the incredible work I have seen do there”.

“My admiration for artisan work through my trips to Mexico has grown over the years, and with this new collection I have tried to value this magnificent cultural heritage.”

But Carolina Herrera’s is not the only case that the Mexican government has considered plagiarism. Zara, Mango, Isabel Marant, Louis Vuitton, and Michael Kors, Santa Marguerite and Etoile have been some of the firms that have previously received a call from Mexico, which since last November is working on a law that safeguards indigenous culture.

Source: el sol de mexico

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