Mexican Designer Ricardo Seco Is Harnessing The Power Of The Sarape To Give Fashion New Life
This is what happens when Mexican culture, American politics and fashion collide. Prepare yourself, you will have plenty of thoughts about it.
Fashion designer Ricardo Seco is giving the sarape a new place in fashion: New York Men’s Fashion Week.
A photo posted by Ricardo Seco (@secoricardo) on
Credit: @secoricardo / Instagram
Seco, who is self-taught, is a highly regarded fashion designer in Mexico and he’s been making a splash in the U.S.
llegando ala GALA @aidforaids #myherogala2015 venga a compartir y apoyar !! #yosoynexico
A photo posted by Ricardo Seco (@secoricardo) on
Credit: @secoricardo / Instagram
His creativity and the love of his native cultural has produced several colorful works of wearable art.
You might remember Seco from his Huichol-inspired line of New Balance sneakers.
VERY RARE ! #SNEAKERART #HUICHOL #MEXICO #HANDBEADED #INSPIRED #COLORS #NEWBALANCE #SECORICARDO
A photo posted by TIFFANY MARTINEZ (@trukullaz) on
Credit: @trukullaz / Instagram
And now he’s re-interpreting the traditional sarape.
https://www.instagram.com/p/_kZ6lBnbKZ/
Credit: @dannechimal / Instagram
Seco says he wants to bring traditional Mexican styles and colors to a broader audience.
…is my time ,is #sarapetime #NYFWM #CFDA #fashion #yosoymexico
A photo posted by Ricardo Seco (@secoricardo) on
Credit: @secoricardo / Instagram
“I think that it is time that the people of New York recognizes my work and it’s time to share more about my country,” Seco told Latin Post.
READ: French Fashion Designer Gets Called Out for Copying Indigenous Oaxacan Clothing Design
To give his “Time” collection a unique feel, Seco decided to give sarapes a modern update.
MORNING NY … ready for share more of #sarapetime .#NYFWM #CFDA #yosoynewyork #yosoymexico
A photo posted by Ricardo Seco (@secoricardo) on
Credit: @secoricardo / Instagram
He takes the vibrant colors and patterns of sarapes and pairs it with black clothes to give it an extra pop.
Adapting and showing his culture is central to Seco’s designs.
A photo posted by Ricardo Seco (@secoricardo) on
Credit: @secoricardo / Instagram
“It is one of the most important aspects of my brand,” Seco told Latin Post about using Mexican culture in his designs. “I talk about tradition with innovation. The tradition is the sarape and I made it new.”
This line has more than just sarapes to showcase Mexican culture. Seco also used Speedy Gonzales in his apparel.
A photo posted by Ricardo Seco (@secoricardo) on
Credit: @secoricardo / Instagram
You know, this dude.
Credit: Warner Bros. / Speedy Gonzales / jpoxxed / Tumblr
Seco’s idea to use Speedy Gonzales will definitely turn heads, as the cartoon mouse has been criticized by some in the U.S. for being a negative stereotype of Mexicans.
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And it isn’t a political, Mexican-inspired fashion line without Donald Trump making an appearance.
Credit: @secoricardo / Instagram
One of the T-shirts displayed features a caricature of Donald Trump with the caption, “I’m México. Who is Trump?”
