There is more to art and fashion than beauty and appearance alone. While there are those who focus on looks, there are also those who look beyond first impressions.

            At first glance, my project is a mannequin wearing a wedding or quinceañera dress with traces of silver and gold and a white book. But while looking at the mannequin through different angles by walking around it, the dress’s form starts to appear more old-fashioned. By taking a closer look at the dress and touching it, the seams and embroidery of different words become noticeable. Once opening the book and looking at its content, multiple dress designs and some information about the one on the mannequin are revealed.

            My project is inspired by both my heritage and memories of my abuelita (grandmother). My abuelita used to make clothing and layered the fabrics she stitched together to enhance their durability. When I was little, she taught me the basics of sewing. During the time that she was around, I also learned about my Puerto Rican heritage.

The design of the dress on the mannequin is a combination of two traditional Puerto Rican dresses. The words embroidered on the skirt are a few of the names of different types of music, dance, and songs from my heritage. Among the names include, the styles used to create the dress, Bomba and Danza Puertorriqueña. Though both are music and dance from Puerto Rico, their history, music, and styles of wardrobe are completely different.

            While making the dress, I felt like I was doing more than an artwork to present. I was honoring my abuelita’s memory and expressing my love for my heritage through sewing.