By: Claire Cao
African fashion designs have been taking over every corner of Columbia from the streets of Cali all the way to the presidential palace. At the center of this Afro-Colombian fashion revolution is Esteban Sinisterra, a 23-year-old university student who is already making waves on Columbian runways despite having no formal design education.
Sinisterra’s work aims to “decolonize the human being” and discover the essence and “elegance of identity.” His works uplifts the culture of Afro-Columbians after centuries of colonization that tried to erase their people. All of his fashion shows feature black models showcasing stunning pieces including “Royal Imperialism.”
Mr. Sinisterra showcased his piece “Royal Imperialism” at a fashion show in Buenaventura, Columbia.
Many of Sinisterra’s African style pieces with bold colors and patterned fabrics have traveled to the governing body in Columbia. Francia Márquez, Columbia’s upcoming first black vice president, is another vanguard and representative of the African-Colombian movement.
Growing up in a low-income and marginalized community, Márquez became a lawyer and now vice president to raise a voice for oppressed communities that she grew up in. Instead of wearing the typical formal western business attire, Márquez chooses to wear clothing that represents her cultural background.
Francia Márquez, an environmental activist, lawyer, and vice president of Colombia wearing her usual Afro-Colombian fashion.
Márquez has already pushed topics such as climate change, neo-colonialism, poverty, and many other issues severely impacting African and Indigenous communities to the forefront of Colombia’s legislators. With her new leadership, she will continue to advocate and bring justice to traditionally silenced peoples.
In a nation where Afro-Colombian people and culture is often overlooked, Márquez and Sinisterra are leading a new revolution through fashion. Using fashion as a form of resistance, Márquez and Sinisterra are reforming Colombia’s social, political, and economical hierarchy.
Source: https://s3.amazonaws.com/appforest_uf/f1659888426828x368795552814352700/Colombia%E2%80%99s%20First%20Black%20Vice%20President%20Spotlights%20Afro-Caribbean%20Fashion%20-%20The%20New%20York%20Times.pdf