Here and Now Fashion FestivalBelen Vazquez Noguerol Garza

"Mulleres do mar" is a very personal exploration of what it means to be a woman from the city of Vigo —a viguesa, carrying the rich history of my hometown and its relationship to the sea. Through this process of discovering the unique traditions, materials and craftsmanship techniques of the place I grew up in, I found the responsibility within myself to protect and preserve them by finding a place for them in my own contemporary practice.
With this collection, inspired by Vigo and weather-protective wear, I want to introduce new ways of sourcing natural, up-cycled and innovative materials in order to create functional zero-waste pieces and textiles.

Belen VN Garza is an interdisciplinary artist, writer and designer based in New York City from Vigo, Spain. Belen graduated with the class of 2020 from Parsons School of Design, with a BFA degree in Fashion Design.
With fashion design as the basis of her work, she often explores themes surrounding the intersections between identity, tradition and daily life. Her design process often consists of collaging different elements, both in the literal sense and as her guiding philosophy. She brings these elements together through different mediums –including illustration, collage, photography and writing– and they are always heavily informed by her extensive research process.