Clothes are more than just the pieces of fabric covering our bare skin. Each piece is intentional.

This photoshoot is rooted in my cultural upbringing. I am Mexican-American with roots in the Purépecha community of Michoacán, Mexico. Growing up, I was surrounded by embroidered dresses and pleated skirts, often worn at family gatherings. Yet outside of those spaces, our culture often becomes quiet. Traditional clothing is tucked away, stored in closets, and distanced from everyday life.

This project challenges that silence. On campus, our culture is visible, vibrant, and present.
Through each outfit, we reclaim these pieces not as costumes, but as living expressions of
identity. Together, the students in this shoot wear their heritage unapologetically, transforming
space through presence and pride.

Jhoel’s looks center on memory, resilience, and inheritance. His first outfit is a white embroidered shirt marked with “El Salvador” across the chest, placing national pride close to the heart. Paired with a brightly colored satchel traditionally used in El Salvador for carrying food or daily goods, the look connects function with heritage. Gifted by his father, these items carry both personal and cultural significance, grounding Joel’s identity across distance.

His second outfit is a white matching set layered with red, blue, and green patches. Traditionally
worn for performances, the garment tells a story of history and culture. The holes symbolize
hardship and troubles, while the patchwork reflects the collective resilience across El Salvador.
In wearing it, Joel feels comfort in owning a part of his culture, despite being physically away
from his roots.

Jessica’s look brings together multiple cultural influences, reflecting the layered nature of identity. Her off-the-shoulder embroidered dress from El Salvador highlights tradition through its delicate blue pattern across the top.

She pairs this with vibrant, flower-shaped beaded earrings from Panama. These ornate accessories symbolize faith and gratitude across Latin American cultures. Together, these elements move across borders, showing how culture is not confined by boundaries, but carried, collected, and reinterpreted by those who are tied to the country’s roots.

Jocelyn’s look speaks to the experience of rediscovery. As a child of immigrants, she does not have direct access to many traditional garments. Still, she builds a cultural connection by finding pieces of her culture in the U.S. Her white embroidered blouse and flowing red-orange skirt echo traditional silhouettes found in Mexican culture.

Her two front braids, woven with white ribbon, reflect hairstyling traditions in Mexico, where hair becomes a form of artistry and expression. On Jocelyn’s forehead and cheeks are face-painted leaves and flowers. This expression closely resembles the style of art unique to Mexican holidays and celebrations.

Through representation and intention, these outfits show that culture is not lost; it evolves and
shifts. Even across distance at an institution such as UNC-Chapel Hill, it can be reclaimed,
reimagined, and worn with pride.

Credits:

Photo: Keven Bahena Velazquez

Creative Directors: Maria Fernanda Barriga-Mateos, Abby Maldonado, Sofia Rangel, Jomar Ponce Gamez

Models: Jocelyn Hernandez Jimenez, Jessica Gaytan, Jhoel Guevara Rubio