For as long as I can remember, my family has been keen to pass down traditional hand-sewn garments, necklaces, bracelets, wallets, and other traditional artisanal products from México so I could wear them. Growing up in a bi-cultural household with a Mexican mom and an American dad in Springfield, Missouri, my life proves to be an interesting combination of two significantly different cultures and languages. One specific way that I was able to highlight my culture and understand its complexity was through clothing. By knowing which community the clothing came from and the often tedious process by which the clothes were made, I was able to find a greater appreciation for artisanal work. I am able to feel pride for a part of myself that was underrepresented according to where I have lived all my life.
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