By Julia De Burgos Cultural Arts Center
Ecuador designed by Gerardo Encinas
Elevando Raíces
Julia De Burgos Cultural Arts Center commissioned 4 designers to create garments inspired by one of the 21 Hispanic/Latino countries with a touch of avant garde.
Guatemala
Designed by Gerardo Encinas
Elevando Raices: Bolivia (2021-08-21) by David WingateJulia De Burgos Cultural Arts Center
Bolivia
This dancer-inspired look is representative of native Bolivian dance. The origins of these dances go back to the times of the Spanish colonization.
Designed by Gerardo Encinas
Elevando Raices: Brazil (2021-08-21) by David WingateJulia De Burgos Cultural Arts Center
Brazil
This “Hollywood style” dress was inspired by the attire of the women who would go to bars in Rio de Jainero in the 1950's.
Designed by Gerardo Encinas
Elevando Raices: Venezuela (2021-08-21) by David WingateJulia De Burgos Cultural Arts Center
Venezuela
This dress is inspired by the riches and minerals from Venezuela. South America has one of the richest soils in the world, with mineral reserves and energy, including gold, coal and diamonds.
Designed by Gerardo Encinas
Elevando Raices: Cuba (2021-08-21) by David WingateJulia De Burgos Cultural Arts Center
Cuba
This dress was inspired by Las Rumberas, Cuban dancers in clubs
during the 60's that danced to the beat of Afro-Antillean musical rhythms.
Designed by Gerardo Encinas
Elevando Raices: Republica Dominicana (2021-08-21) by David WingateJulia De Burgos Cultural Arts Center
Dominican Republic
This dress was inspired by the beaches and the marine diversity of the Dominican Republic. The Dominican Republic boasts different species, coastal and marine ecosystems that offer great benefits environmentally, culturally and socioeconomically.
Designed by Gerardo Encinas
Elevando Raices: Spain (2021-08-21) by David WingateJulia De Burgos Cultural Arts Center
Spain
This dress is inspired by the attire of Flamenco dancers at Ferias and Romerias.
Designed by Gerardo Encinas
Elevando Raices: Peru (2021-08-21) by David WingateJulia De Burgos Cultural Arts Center
Peru
This dress is inspired by the Cuzco Dress typical of the Peruvian woman of that region. The dress combines many colors that refer to the country's aboriginal past.
Designed by Gerardo Encinas
Elevando Raices: Nicaragua (2021-08-21) by David WingateJulia De Burgos Cultural Arts Center
Nicaragua
This design is inspired by Ixchen, goddess of love, sexuality and fertility, Xilonen goddess of corn, and
the indigenous princess Suche-Malinche.
Designed by Gerardo Encinas
Elevando Raices: Panama (2021-10) by David WingateJulia De Burgos Cultural Arts Center
Panamá
This Panamanian Pollera-inspired dress is a typical dress of non-indigenous Panamanian women. The dress is composed of two separate pieces of a shirt and a skirt and used during regional festivities.
Designed by Gerardo Encinas
About Project
Elevando Raíces was a virtual fashion show funded by the Cleveland Foundation through their Creative Fusion project. JDBCAC was lucky to collaborate with the Cleveland Botanical Gardens, filming the video in their various beautiful garden locations.
Mexico
Designed by Bella Sin
Elevando Raices: Paraguay (2021-08-21) by David WingateJulia De Burgos Cultural Arts Center
Honduras
This cork suit evokes the varied tree barks of Honduras. Ethically sourced Macaw feathers are arranged with paper feathers to create an eco-friendly traditional headdress.
Designed by Denajua Denujea
Elevando Raices: Costa Rica (2021-08-21) by David WingateJulia De Burgos Cultural Arts Center
Costa Rica
This piece is reminiscent of the rich history of Heredia; It represents the religious culture of Costa Rica, colors in the flag and the resilience and rebirth from natural disasters that have fallen upon the region.
Designed by Jackie Bertolette & Jacci Hammer
Elevando Raices: Argentina (2021-08-21) by David WingateJulia De Burgos Cultural Arts Center
Argentina
This ensemble was inspired by Pachamama, goddess revered by the indigenous peoples of The Andes. She is Mother Nature, responsible for planting and harvesting.
Designed by Gerardo Encinas
Elevando Raices: Uruguay (2021-08-21) by David WingateJulia De Burgos Cultural Arts Center
Uruguay
This dress was inspired by the Uruguay flag.
Designed by Gerardo Encinas
Elevando Raices: Chile (2021-08-21) by David WingateJulia De Burgos Cultural Arts Center
Chile
This design is inspired by Los Camperos, people that run the fields, rivers and mountains in Chile.
Designed by Gerardo Encinas
Elevando Raices: El Salvador (2021-08-21) by David WingateJulia De Burgos Cultural Arts Center
El Salvador
This dress is inspired by the great diversity of Salvadoran flowers that includes more than 400 varieties of orchids.
Designed by Gerardo Encinas
Elevando Raices: Puerto Rico (2021-08-21) by David WingateJulia De Burgos Cultural Arts Center
Puerto Rico
This dress is inspired by Puerto Rico's national flower, the Amapola, also known as the Puerto Rican hibiscus.
Designed by Gerardo Encinas
Elevando Raices: Ecuador (2021-08-21) by David WingateJulia De Burgos Cultural Arts Center
Ecuador
Designed by Denajua Denujea
Elevando Raices: Honduras (2021-08-21) by David WingateJulia De Burgos Cultural Arts Center
Paraguay
The embroidered native beetle wings on this gown are patterned to reflect the curved Architecture of Paraguay. The blue/green silk shimmers like the surrounding ocean and forests.
Designed by Denajua Denujea
The Elevando Raíces YouTube video will be premiered soon on Julia De Burgos Cultural Arts Center YouTube channel.
Colombia
Designed by Gerardo Encinas
Project Lead: Yasin Cuevas | Project Model
Photography: David Wingate | Studio Lux
Videography: Anthony Green | A Plus Media
Hair: Nylerica Gonzalez-Reyes, Marie Negron and Celina Nuñez.
Makeup: Keishla Alicea, Stephanie De Los Santos, Sharihan Najjar, Taisha Ortiz, Rosalyn Ramos and Jasmine Williams.
Models: Regina Alvarado, Nicole Brown, Natalia Cordero, Karen Cuevas, Samantha De Leon, Naomy German, Zaria Ortiz, Stephanie Paris, Patricia Peña, Dariana Rivera-Orta, Marilyn Santiago and Bianca Sorace.