Historical Context

Argentina's cultural identity has been shaped by a rich blend of influences: the heritage of Indigenous peoples, criollo traditions, and the massive European migrations of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. This diversity is deeply reflected in fashion, which has historically combined local elements with global currents to generate a distinctive aesthetic.

In the textile field, the artisanal weavings of northern Argentina—such as Andean looms and fibers from llama and vicuña—represent an ancestral legacy that remains alive today through the work of Indigenous communities and artisan cooperatives. At the same time, leather and leather goods, strongly tied to gaucho culture and the country's cattle-raising economy, became both national emblems and a cornerstone of Argentina's design industry.

During the twentieth century, Buenos Aires emerged as a cultural and cosmopolitan hub, integrating international influences while preserving a strong identity shaped by criollo traditions, craftsmanship, and an urban sensibility. This dialogue between local heritage and global trends nurtured a creative environment that positioned Argentine fashion as both diverse and innovative. Today, Argentine fashion not only draws inspiration from its cultural heritage but also embraces sustainability, experimentation with new materials, and the revalorization of artisanal work.

Argentina-China Cultural Exchange

The HIBRyD proposal recognizes that cultural dialogue is enriched through mutual exchange. Elements of Chinese culture have influenced the perspective on Argentine heritage, allowing for reinterpretation and expansion in new ways.

A concrete example is the creation of hybrid garments that merge traditional typologies from both cultures. The Hanfu, with its ceremonial character and elegant proportions, is combined with the Argentine poncho, an emblematic garment of national identity, resulting in a design that unites symbols of protection, belonging, and tradition within a contemporary language. Similarly, the gaucho shirt is fused with the Qipao, reinterpreting its fitted silhouette and distinctive collar to create a piece that conveys the strength of the Argentine countryside alongside the sophistication and refinement of Chinese attire.

Design Concept:

The first design pays tribute to both the Argentine gaucho and the urban porteño, figures that symbolize the nation's identity. Drawing from traditional garments such as the bombacha de campo and the poncho, this proposal combines functionality, durability, and versatility, adapted to both rural and urban life. The use of leather in constructive details adds resilience and sophistication, while the artisanal making of the poncho—where leather and wool are interwoven into an Andean-inspired pattern—reinforces the connection with Patagonia's textile heritage.

The second design represents the fusion between Argentine and Chinese attire, generating an intercultural dialogue. Constructive resources and silhouettes inspired by the Qipao and Hanfu—such as collars, silhouettes, and morphological details—are integrated with gaucho typologies including shirts, bombachas, and ponchos. The result is a versatile and mutable outfit that can be disassembled and reassembled, offering different levels of formality. In this case, craftsmanship acquires a symbolic role: the interwoven leather and wool fabric takes inspiration from the Hong Kong, China flag, creating a motif that celebrates the union of both cultures.

Regarding materials, the collection prioritizes those deeply rooted in Argentina's identity: leather, gabardine, denim, poplin with linen, and tailoring fabrics, while also incorporating alpaca as a symbol of the natural resources of the Andes.

Design Philosophy

The HIBRyD proposal is based on the notion of cultural hybridization as a process that fosters creativity and innovation. The collection explores how the blending of identities and traditions generates new aesthetics capable of reflecting the complexity of the contemporary world, presenting itself as a space of encounter between Argentina and Hong Kong, China.

Chinese culture brings a strong symbolic dimension to the project, particularly through the incorporation of silhouettes and constructive elements derived from the Qipao and Hanfu. Features such as structured collars, traditional construction techniques, elegant proportions, and the harmony of forms are integrated with Argentine typologies. The result is a fusion that does not homogenize but rather respects and elevates the uniqueness of each tradition, giving rise to new contemporary narratives.

Both cultures share values that are reflected in the HIBRyD concept: the importance of community, family, respect for tradition, and the ability to adapt to changing contexts. The design philosophy is grounded in the pursuit of timelessness, the balance between tradition and modernity, and fashion as a medium of cultural representation. The garments not only dress the body but also tell stories, transmit values, and strengthen bonds between communities, turning clothing into a bridge between Argentina and Hong Kong, China, uniting cultures through creativity, craftsmanship, and shared symbolism.