Departures Australia Winter 2013

ADVERTORIAL Because I

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STYLEETC. THE ART OF APPROPRIATE ACQUISITION Designer Carla Fernández Carla Fernández © carla fernandez spotlight Mexico a la mode Six labels, one red-hot style scene and a consuming passion for all things fashion. These Mexican designers deserve their international acclaim, reports Elisa Vallata Handmade dress from Fernández’s new line Fernández’s creations go beyond fashion. They represent a living link between past and present, between folklore and globalisation. Each piece of her Taller Flora haute couture line originates from collaboration with Mexican indigenous communities whose traditional dressmaking has always deeply fascinated Fernández, and whose nearly forgotten techniques she sought out in cross-country research trips. The result is an acclaimed social business model and a line of garments and accessories that translates the essential features of indigenous designs into modern style idiom, making each article of clothing both cosmopolitan and strongly evocative. “For this season’s collection we worked with artisans from the Yucatán Peninsula,” says Fernández. “They took us to unexplored, colourful and wild places. This journey is clearly reflected in the pre-Colombian and contemporary Mayan style of the pieces that were manufactured using old techniques and elements such as wood turning, silver and gold filigree as well as palms, hammocks and rebozos.” ■ Alongside these entirely handcrafted garments, Fernández also produces more accessible prêt-à-porter objects to keep up with the fast turnover and high demand of the fashion industry. Though only partially handcrafted, they nevertheless embody their heritage through their geometric shapes and loose fit as well as their elaborated embroidery and patterns. carlafernandez.com departures-international.com 37