Diablada Collection

This collection, my graduate project from SCAD, is an exploration of heritage, bold textures, and transformation, inspired by Bolivia's "Diablada" dance. Using faux leather with textures like alligator, crocodile, and snake, I constructed dresses that evoke a snake’s behavior in its nest—coiled, layered, and intertwined. Each piece is designed to feel both powerful and fluid, reflecting the layered storytelling of Diablada itself.

I wanted this collection to be bright, colorful, and unexpected. These materials, more commonly used in shoes or handbags, bring a unique tactile element that challenges expectations. Pearls, symbolizing wealth and abundance, are woven throughout, while circular mirrors surrounded by knitted wool and woolen embellishments nod to traditional Bolivian attire. These details celebrate my roots, blending elegance with a handmade feel, and invite a contemporary interpretation.

Many of these garments pair with my transformative vests, like those shaped as hearts, creating an interplay between structure and fluidity, tradition and innovation. This collection was honored as Best Designer at San Francisco Fashion Week and was later exhibited at an event at the San Francisco Design Center. It represents my approach to art as something existing between worlds, honoring the cultural symbols that shaped me while leaving space for new, unexpected inspirations.