Queer Crew Mexico

Team Credits:

Photographer:
Rob Woodcox @robwoodcoxphoto

Models:
Ali Monterrosas @amonterrosas_
Chris Pantoja @mrpantojaa
Mauricio Hurt @mauricio.hurt

Hair/Makeup:
Ariel Peimbert @arielbeaute

Styling/Assist:
AleJandro Perez Montes @lasedadesdealex

Fashion Designers:
Ignacio Carrasco, @ignaciocarrasco
Anthony Rivera, @its_anthonyrivera
RaúL Orozco @raulorozcomx
Guillermo Jester @guillermojestermx
No Name Studio Mexico @nonamestudiomx
María Ponce @maria.ponce.n
Ocelote @ocelotenet

***See Individual Fashion credits below gallery

Identity and Consumerism in Mexico

Words by Alejandro Perez Montes

Let's talk about the autonomous activity that we all exercise daily and that many perform unconsciously: dressing. In his text “Fashion, Identity and Social Change", the Venezuelan sociologist Julio Salazar mentions that the individual is no longer free to express themself through clothing. This, in large part, is due to large chains of fast fashion and accessibility to unique clothing. With the advancement of information and communication technology consumers have evolved, allowing the possibility to buy almost any product from home and explore current events and trends in other places on the planet.

Currently, the highest percentage of the world population is under 25 years of age. Young people are the eyes of fashion and spend more and more to achieve the aesthetic imagery created by influencers, fanzines and magazines of great power in the industry. Fast fashion has had to adapt to these changes, producing more than two collections a year, which dominate the best catwalks that take place in fashion weeks.

From Celine and Hood By Air to Pull & Bear and Bershka, these brands dress us and represent us generationally. The question is, do we lack our own cultural identities, in my case, a Mexican identity? The crucial thing is to understand that there is a loss of Mexican visual discourse capable of creating relevant changes, true amongst many cultures. In a talk at the University of Tijuana, Gustavo Prado commented that, instead of creating clothing brands, Mexico's creatives must focus their efforts on founding fashion companies capable of generating labor and livelihood for the country. I imagine this could be applied in countries around the world.

The current power lies in the youth. It is not a coincidence that political campaigns are directed at younger generations, despite the fact that the majority of the candidates are over fifty years old. Younger generations are more inclusive; they are pushing fashion towards new horizons and producing young designers who integrate their ideas in the street, far from fashion weeks where clothes are made for people in places of privilege. This youth is offering fresh ideas, valuable contributions to build a new Mexican identity, distant from traditional and folk textiles. Perhaps, this creative surge is what we need to consolidate our cultural identity to Mexico. A Mexico brimming with collaboration and community, where three out of five or more purchases are Mexican. In order to grow as a country, collective support, development and innovation is necessary.

"Fashion must take us to a place where we have never been."
-Diane Pernet