Community College
Honors Program at LaGuardia Community College
The Student Curators'
All the World at LaGuardia
Fashioning Identity in a Global World represents a collaboration between CUNY LaGuardia Community College and Bard Graduate Center that took place during the 2020–21 academic year.
ORIGIN
Puerto Rico
APPROXIMATE DATE
2020
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MATERIALS
Denim jean fabric
COLLECTION OF
Sara Perez
Face Mask, statement by Samuel Rodriguez
The powerful object selected by student Sara Perez is a face mask that was made in Puerto Rico. Face masks are an essential way of life in our present day. Sara’s aunt owns her own pharmacy back in Puerto Rico and began to make her own face masks to sell for the COVID-19 pandemic.This mask was sent from her aunt as a gift for her mother and then her mother gifted it to her. Sara claims that this object is significant to her because with a pandemic going on, she is able to protect herself and those around her with this object. This object shows her identity because of the mask’s pattern and image. The Puerto Rican flag is wrapped around the whole mask and has the words ¨Puerto Rico¨ written all around it showing the world where Sara is from. This mask is a statement to the world that she is proud of where she is from while keeping herself and others safe. The face mask is made out of a denim/jean like fabric. The mask has a filter between two layers to make sure nothing gets through and that she is safe from the virus. The straps that are wrapped around the ears are made out of adjustable elastic wraps, making it a sturdy and comfortable face mask. The material that was used throughout the mask according to sara was cotton making it comfortable and soft for her face.
ORIGIN
Tibet
APPROXIMATE DATE
Early 21st Century
MATERIALS
Cotton, Silk
COLLECTION OF
Tenzin Gaden
Chupa, statement by Scottie Norton
The chupa is a traditional robe used by the Tibetan people. Designed to protect Tibetan nomadic tribes from the extreme cold climate of the Tibetan plateau, the chupa was originally made with Yak and Sheep skin. When China took rule over Tibet in the 1950s, thousands of Tibetans fled to India. The chupa was adapted to the warmer weather of India, and this version is made with a much lighter cotton and silk. Once worn as an everyday garment, a chupa is now mostly worn by Tibetans for special events as a way to represent their rich culture. Wrapped around the waist with a long sash, the long sleeves hang past the hands, and can be worn with one arm exposed. The front of the robe above the sash is used as a large pocket to store anything from money, personal items, food, and even infants. Today, the chupa ranges in style from the extremely ornate to solid, neutral colors. The chupa is worn with cowboy hats and boots in the summer, and fur hats in the winter. This particular chupa was gifted to LaGuardia Community College student Tenzin Gaden by her father, and holds sentimental meaning to her. According to Tenzin, this garment “had special place in my heart because it represents my culture just by it and I got this from my father who I admire the most on the world.”
ORIGIN
Mexico
APPROXIMATE DATE
21st Century
MATERIALS
Embroidered dyed cotton dyes and natural fibers
COLLECTION OF
Alvaro Chavarriaga
Huipil Dress, statement by Alvaro Chavarriaga
The Huipil dress contributed by Jennifer Gonzalez highlights embroidered design in colors on black. The flowers represent the life and joy of Mexican culture. The design of the Virgin of Guadalupe represents religious culture and as a national and representative symbol of Mexico.
The word Huipil comes from the Nahuatl dialect and means blouse, ornate dress or my covering. The use of this outfit is considered a tradition among indigenous women. Its origin dates from the pre-Hispanic era but it is still in use in Mexico and Central America. Its origin is Mayan of the Yucatan peninsula. The huipil began to be used as a blouse to be able to hide the parts of the body that women exposed before the era of colonization, when the Spaniards arrived in Mexico the women felt the shame of showing themselves naked in front of them, began to use this type of outfit. Initially these blouses were made of cotton and wool and sometimes pieces of silk to include their designs. The pattern used in this technique is embroidered in colors on a black fabric to make the color of the design stand out.
This type of Huipil represents the religious culture that is an important part of the identity of Mexicans. December 12, the day of the Virgin of Guadalupe, is one of the largest national holidays in Mexico, honoring the appearance of the Virgin to San Juan Diego, an indigenous person to whom, according to myth, the Virgin appeared in the year 1531. This holiday sets a pattern in the idiosyncrasy of Mexican culture and that is why the Huipil with the design of the Virgin of Guadalupe is symbolic and representative. The Virgin of Guadalupe in Mexico is something like the Flag that represents each Country.
In this beautiful dress, we can appreciate not only the talent that exists in the hands of those who made it, but also the importance of religion in the identity of many Mexicans.
Personally, I found it interesting to know the history of where the Huipil comes from. In my work I had the opportunity to share with people from Mexico and Guatemala who wear these blouses during religious festivals, as a symbol that represents not only their faith but also their culture. When I recognized the huipil when I was assigned to talk about its description and history, I immediately identified myself, because I had already the opportunity to see the huipil in person and know where it came from, it made me interested and appreciate even more this typical Mexican outfit.