Carla Fernández Casa de Moda at the Denver Art Museum

Yesterday evening, I was invited to attend the media preview for the latest fashion and textile exhibit at the Denver Art Museum: Carla Fernández Casa de Moda. For those not familiar with Fernández’s work - like myself - this exhibition showcased an extraordinary talent with an eye opening vision.

First, a little history: Carla Fernández is a Mexican artist and fashion designer based in Mexico City. Established in 2000, Fernández creates luxury, innovative fashion through the use of manual, age-old techniques. The brand produces both ready-to-wear and couture collections, and is “dedicated to preserving and revitalizing the textile legacy of indigenous and mestizo communities in Mexico.” Ultimately, Fernández shows how smart production and partnering with artisan communities can create fashion that is progressive, sustainable and protects heritage textiles and techniques, while also acting as an agent of social and ethical change.

Garments in the exhibit are cut based on traditional geometric shapes, particularly the square and rectangle, and use artisan techniques and embellishments to create contemporary, relevant designs. As you can see in the images below, Fernández’s use of layers emphasizes texture and color, while also showing how versatile these pieces are when styling them for an actual wardrobe. Standouts include the colorful embroideries and fringe trims, an incredible cape made from plant leaves and the entire final tableaux of activist garments inspired by women’s and immigrants’ rights, as well as the anti-nuclear movement. I also personally loved the rough textured wool pieces – like the stunning black and white ensemble in the opening gallery with handmade pompon trim and an all black iteration that felt reminiscent of Cristobal Balenciaga’s experiments with faux fur in the mid-1960s.

The entire exhibit is a rich exploration of Mexican textile, art and cultural heritage all brought together through Fernández’s eye as a fashion designer. A special mention must be made for Mexican artist, architect, sculptor and activist Pedro Reyes, who designed the gallery for the exhibition. His videos of Mexican artisans at work are a must-watch, but also pay close attention to his gorgeous sculptural headwear, which beautifully complements Fernández’s work. -xo

Carla Fernández Casa de Moda at the Denver Art Museum, May 1st - September 5th, 2022. Denver Art Museum, 100 W. 14th Parkway, Denver, 720-865-5000, denverartmuseum.com