Shop for your alter ego

Key Garment:

For this project we were asked to choose a piece of clothing in our closet that had deep meaning or a special memory attached to it.

MOODBOARD:

It was the summer of 2019, and Madrid, Spain was sweltering. Most locals know better than to venture out at noon during the peak of summer, but my mother, sister, and I were on a mission—determined to explore the weekly Sunday flea market. Despite our shopping mindset, the heat was unbearable, and soon, we craved the sanctuary of air conditioning and an icy bottle of water. Fortunately, part of the market was indoors, and we made a beeline for it as the heat intensified.

And then I saw it.

A beige jacket, adorned with fringe, coins, and clearly handcrafted with care and skill. I have a weakness for garments like this—pieces that seem to encapsulate artistry, talent, and a certain strength when worn. I rushed toward it, and almost immediately, I started pleading with my mom to buy it. She admired the jacket too, but with a knowing smile, she said, “You’re not going to wear that in Bogotá.” To which I quickly responded, “No, but I’ll wear it in New York.”

Here’s the tricky part: at the time, I was still a 15-year-old girl living in Bogotá, not New York. The reason I hesitated to wear it back home was simple—Bogotá has a very distinct and high beauty standard, where most people dress in similar, conservative styles. As much as I wanted to stand out, I also didn’t want to feel out of place. My mom rolled her eyes and laughed, but as mothers often do, she indulged my New York delusion and bought me the jacket, helping me take one small step closer to my dream of living in the city.

Five years later, I still have the jacket. I wore it twice in Bogotá, but now that I've been living in New York for a year, I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve worn it. When I put it on, I feel powerful, fashionable, unique, and undeniably myself. And judging by the endless compliments I receive, it seems others agree too.