Showcasing the work of contemporary designers and traditional artisansMexico Fashion Week

easy to see why contemporary designers seek to evoke traditional Mexican handcrafts and folk art through their collections.

    Brightly-colored embroidery and intricate beading reflect skills passed down for generations, while the patterns themselves carry meaning far beyond modern print design.

    At the recent Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Mexico City, designers emphasized the collaborative nature of their relationship with local artisans, showing embroidered gowns and garments featuring historic emblems and motifs.

    These were clothes created with modern techniques, but infused with centuries-old tradition. Designer Lydia Lavín, for example, worked with artisans from the Huichol community, an indigenous group from Mexico's Sierra Madre Occidental mountain range, to create gowns adorned with embroidery and beadwork.