As an immigrant, I've grown up without physical proximity to my extended family in Guatemala. Recently I've begun to appreciate the ways we can keep in touch like through encouraging messages through WhatsApp, despite being far apart and knowing very little about each other. This jacket is a physical representation of the love I feel from my family and my newly found appreciation for their efforts to stay connected with us. The embroidery and embellishments are inspired by the images they send. The warm and enveloping nature of the jacket is representative of the comfort and support I find in my family. With the vibrant traditional Guatemalan textile fabric and familiar iconography, it is a display of pride and cultural identity.
