Design a collection for Cuidado con el Perro, a mexican fast fashion brand, in collaboration with Global Denim, a global leader in the production of denim fabrics. The purpose of the contest was to address the creativity and talent of mexican designers to elaborate original looks made of denim, one of the most exported products of Mexico. The project was a finalist of the 2017 Design Mexico National Design Award. It was exhibited at the Franz Mayer Museum in Mexico City.

Water is the most important natural resource of our planet, is essential for humans and all living species. This collection is an analogy, just as water is crucial for us, denim is the most basic clothing in the world. The designs make reference to the different shades of blue reflected in water, the organic shapes of our tissues and the fluid structure of marine species. The ruffles and pattern constructions of the dress allude to the movement and shape of sea slugs. The print of the jacket sleeves and the back pockets of the jeans represent the texture of the human body tissue under microscope.

Denim is the most sold fabric in the world. According to the UN Comtrade, Mexico was the ninth top exporter in 2016. About 60% of the production goes to the US market, while the rest is divided among domestic and international markets including Peru, Colombia and Chile. In 2017, the annual sales of denim apparel were 793 million dollars, positioning Mexico as the second exporter to the US, after China. Mexico produces first-class quality denim fabric, but there is a lack of support for local designers. Domestic denim mills manufacture apparel for foreign brands. All the production is completed by the local work force following the designs of those fashion houses. There is a need for high end, quality apparel created by Mexican designers that can compete with foreign brands and that are up to international standards.

The country has talented and capable creators, but there needs to be a greater support from customers, local government and private investors to have collections that are accessible in price without sacrificing the quality and design. The support isn´t enough. If the domestic market turned their attention to those designers, the local economy can grow and help with the development of fashion design in the country.