Carla Fernández Collection at the Denver Art Museum

 

There is a very interesting exhibition at the Denver Art Museum and one that I can personally identify with.  Not only are the clothes imaginative, the displays are stunning.  If you love textiles like I do, you can not pas this up.

Carla Fernández Casa de Moda: A Mexican Fashion Manifesto is the first exhibition to fully explore the career of Mexican artist and fashion designer Carla Fernández, founder of the eponymous fashion brand in May 2022. 

Carla Fernández is a fashion house based in Mexico City dedicated to preserving and revitalizing the textile legacy of indigenous and mestizo communities of Mexico.  Her traveling studio allowed her to meet with Indigenous artisans throughout Mexico who create textiles and other crafts.  Many of the places visited are places I have spent time in and reveled in the textiles and crafts.  Over time, Fernández has learned and witnessed how these master artisans draw upon oral history and transmission of techniques. She collaborates with the artisans in the creative and production processes, creating contemporary designs for the global market.

"Spirit Cape" made in collaboration with Arisbeth Gonzales, San Pablito, Puebla.

"Chicomecoatl Plumas Tunic" made in collaboration with Feliciana Hernandez Bautista and Gilberto Nuci, Ahuiran, Michoacan.  A black and white Ikat-dyed cotton woven on a back-strap loom with a guinea fowl feather hem.

Chamula Dress made by Juana Lopez Santis, San Juan de Chamula, Chiapas.

On one of my tours to Chiapas.  We were in San Juan de Chamula during Carnival which is an exciting time to be there.  You can see the men dressed in there wool ponchos.

 

"Molinillos Vest and Pants" made in collaboration with Juan Alonso, Santa Maria Rayon, State of Mexico.  I particularly loved this piece especially with the use of the Molinillos.  

 

In the photo above (taken in the Friday market in Patzcuaro, Michoacan), on the left, is the traditional wooden utensil, molinillo, that is used to mix the chocolate and milk together for the hot chocolate. They are made from one piece of wood and there are loose rings that spin when rubbing the handle back and forth between your palms.

Since Fernandez's childhood, she was always a fan of the Mexican culture, something she was exposed to at home for her father was a historian who visited many indigenous villages while her mother sought out international fashion centers. 

 

When I think of Crotoneria (paper-mache), I think of the Linares family from Mexico City.  Carla worked with Pedro Linares's grandson, Leonardo Linares, who reinterperted dsigns by his grandfather from the collection of Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera.

The use of Cortoneria (paper-mache) was used for these masked figures.  A homage to the celebrations that are so prolific through out the year in Mexico.  Cortoneria is used in creating effigies of Judas during Holy week and skulls and skeletons for Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead).

The Chuspata hats and bags are made from natural fibers from Ihuatzio in Michoacan. 

One of my favorite pieces for I have many rebozas similar to this pattern and weave.

"Poema Pncho" made in collaboration with Rosa Hernandez, Hueyapan, Puebla.  Indigo hand dyed wool with tree-of-life cross-stitch embroidery woven on a foot loom.

Talk about a funky pair of sandals!

Creations of the artisans from San Juan de Chamula in the state of Chiapas. 

Carla paid homage to the livestock herding competition, La Charreria, which was popular during the colonial period.  The horse riders are referred to as Charros.   The charros wore elaborate outfits adorned with silver conchas and calado (fretwork) as you can see represented in the pieces above.

"Milagros Tunic"  (miracles) in collaboration with artisans from Oaxaca, Oaxaca.

At the end of the exhibition, there is a gallery showcasing the different techniques found in creating many of the pieces on display.  The first hand is "Raised Embroidery" - "Bordado Elevado".  The middle hand is "Filled Otomi Embroidery" - "Bordado Rellenc Otomi".  The right hand is "Double-Sided Embroidery" - "Bordado de Doble Vista".  Intrigued in learning a bit more on the Otomi embroidery, check out my post on my Blog dated August 16, 2018.  If you love textiles like I do, I know you will find it very interesting.

DENVER ART MUSEUM

Exhibition ends October 16, 2022

 

It's a wonderful exhibition and worth checking out.