This past Tuesday, September 12th, at Pier 59 Studios, Mexican designer, Ricardo Seco, made a lasting impression at New York Fashion Week by once again bringing the facets of Mexican pop culture to the runway with his new SS18 collection.
Seco showcased Healing, a collection which captivated the audience by paying homage to Maria Sabina, a Mexican native whose practice was based on the healing properties of psilocybin mushrooms. Healing embodied the juxtaposition of introspection and spirituality, emphasizing not only the importance of regaining a deeper connection with the world but also the necessity to help raise awareness of countries facing political turmoil, such as Venezuela.
Driven by the inspiration of earth, life, and nature, the collection as a whole was a striking cultural and spiritual representation, encompassed by bright colors, bold designs, and unique textures. Models strutted down the runway in loud colors and patterns to the sounds of an electric guitar performed live by Mexican musician, Jay De La Cueva. Seco’s collection featured oversized silhouettes with garments ranging from cotton, suede, leather, neoprene, and silk. He paired the looks with flats for the women and sneakers for the men. Male models were primarily dressed in sports jackets or button down shirts on top and shorts or cut-off pants on the bottom. Similarly, women wore large jackets paired either with dresses or flowy, wide-legged pants. Highly prevalent throughout the show were colored mushrooms and psychedelic patterns interwoven with black, white, yellow, and red garments, undeniably showcasing a 70’s retro vibe.
Quintessential elements from the collection were sweatshirts and t-shirts that said ‘Healing’, ‘Maria Sabina’ and ‘Mexseco’. Bold in every way, each piece combined the richness of Mexican culture with elements of aesthetic sensibility and contemporary sophistication. Ultimately, with a stimulating smorgasbord of colors, patterns, and text, Healing was a testament to the power of cultural/spiritual traditions and the unequivocal importance of re-connecting with nature.
-Anna Botto
