Fashion Rules: Grab An Umbrella, As We Travel to Venezuela
As we begin our trip to Venezuela, it is important to understand the region we are visiting. South America is separated into four major areas: the Southern Cone (Argentina, Chile, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay), the Guianas (Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana), the Caribbean South America (Venezuela and Colombia), and the Andean States (Bolivia, Ecuador, and Peru) [1]. South America has fundamental roots tied to the fashion industry. The Guitarrero Cave in Peru housed the earliest evidence of textiles, dating all the way back to 5780 BC [2]. Bark was originally used as fabric to make clothing by wrapping it around the body. Cotton and wool were used as fibers for fabric very early on. In 300 BC, raw wool was spun into yarn after getting it from animal fur [2]. After this, the yarn was woven or knitted into fabric by hand. The Andean region’s fabric is known for its detailed patterns and weaving techniques [2]. South American fabric has been influenced by culture and geometric patterns making it top quality. Venezuela is no different. Located near the equator, the warm climate influences the fashion here. Like any other country, Venezuela can be split into different regions that have varying fashion trends. The national fashion piece of the country is the liqui liqui [1]. This is a man’s outfit consisting of a collared jacket with 6 buttons and 2 to 4 pockets. This piece is made of cotton, linen, or wool (depending on the weather) and comes in neutral tones like black, white, or brown. The outfit is monochromatic with matching trousers [1]. Some men will wear a llanero (like a cowboy hat) with it and sandals made from cotton and jute for flexibility. These shoes are called alpargatas [1]. Women have a similar traditional outfit but with a long skirt as these pieces are worn for formal occasions [1]. Women’s fashion is far more complex than this single outfit. Other traditional pieces include long dresses with flounces, ruffles, or pleats and made with floral fabrics [3]. Off-the-shoulder tops are paired with full length skirts and accessorized with hair flowers. Crops tops, beaded skirts, and floral printed clothing are also fundamental pieces [3]. Venezuelan culture holds physical beauty in high regard, most contestants from Venezuela place high in pageants around the world. A Mr. Venezuela contest has even been created here, becoming an annual event [3]. As with any other country, outside influence from the West has impacted fashion here. Many western formal pieces are worn in place of traditional wear at special events, as Venezuelans compete for perfection.
Even though the West plays a role in fashion around the world, textiles will always be a unique skill in Venezuela. They have seen their beginning in South America and continue to be a relevant part of the culture. In 2012, Venezuela became home to its largest textile plant [4]. In the 1990s, the textile industry was destroyed in the country due to its growth collapse, political issues, food shortages, and corruption. Bringing a textile plant back to the area was intended to rebuild the industry and provide almost 300 direct jobs [4]. It does not seem like the textile plant provided the boost the country needed; in 2017, the fashion industry faded away. President Maduro’s economic and political policies obliterated any potential for change as the economy crumbled [5]. Alejandro Garces is a Venezuelan designer who combines social commentary and style to create fashion pieces [6]. He takes on a modern perspective with inspiration from 1950’s Venezuelan architecture and tuki garments to make statement pieces [6]. As an up-and-coming designer in 2018, he hoped to redefine Venezuelan fashion but it was difficult to change. Despite the pandemic, the country is slowly recovering as it takes advantage of the current economic expansion [7]. This has added confidence in the people of the country and has slowly revived the fashion industry. The Hesperia Valencia Fashion Week was hosted by Venezuela for the first time, with no event like this in the past ten plus years [7]! This is very promising for the country, as that single event created more than 250 jobs [7]. The work of a single designer can create more than 100 jobs, making it important for the fashion industry to return to Venezuela [7].
Fashion creates jobs, happiness, well-dressed people, and the overall aesthetic for special occasions. In Venezuela, fashion represents their culture, religion, family, and so much more. It is also valued for the beauty it creates and social status it provides. Bright colors, ruffle detailing, natural texture, and floral printed fabric all build the identity of a person. How they wear it, the color they choose, down to the fiber that makes up their clothing, these fundamental pieces of a wardrobe create a person. An identity. A personality. The Venezuelan culture has a healthy work life balance, making festivals, holidays, and other events common [8]. This means special event attire is a necessity in their culture. Dressing up is meant to be fun and represent the idea of truly living!
Today, Venezuelan fashion is still an important part of their culture. Dressing up is a must, with a focus on accentuating your best features. The culture also tends to focus on looking at the glass half full as they dress to look their best. They pick clothing that will show off their best versions of themselves. Lighter-weight fabrics are still popular in the country and are usually made of cotton, linen, silk, or bamboo [9]. Pashminas are popular versatile pieces that can dress a person up while staying warm in the highly air-conditioned venues. They are also great accessories for the current rainy season. On the other hand, male fashion is simple. They wear basic t-shirts and shorts. Men tend to wear darker, neutral colors, while women wear vibrant prints. For women, the priority for going out is to accessorize! Chanel may have said to take off a piece before leaving the house, but, in Venezuela, we say put another piece on [9]!
If Venezuela’s fashion industry can teach us something, it is this: perseverance will lead to success. The country went from an economic downturn that lasted years to slowly growing its industry back again. They waited patiently and, when the time was right, they introduced a fashion event to their people. They loved it. Now, the fashion industry is revived, jobs have been created, and beautiful clothing is being made. Venezuelan fashion culture focuses on the good. Dress up for the events that are life. Dress up for you, who needs an event? Always look your best and you will feel your best! Fashion speaks volumes for Venezuelan people. No, for all people. It provides us with true identity. We can express ourselves and our feelings. The fibers of the fabric we wear make up the DNA that shapes our personalities. Stay tuned for my next blog coming soon.
REFERENCES
[1] https://www.yoair.com/blog/anthropology-in-fashion-cultural-clothing-in-colombia-and-venezuela/
[2] https://www.yoair.com/blog/anthropology-in-fashion-cultural-clothing-in-andean-south-america/
[3] https://people.howstuffworks.com/culture-traditions/national-traditions/venezuelan-tradition2.htm
[4] https://www.clothesource.net/venezuela-s-largest-textile-plant-opens-in-maracaibo/
[8] https://culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/venezuelan-culture/venezuelan-culture-core-concepts