Caña de mi Sangre

Caña de mi Sangre is based on the lifecycle and effects of sugarcane, Cuba’s largest agricultural export. The plant signifies the hard labor of the Cuban lower class while juxtaposing the capital and sweetness it brings to the nation. The form of the garment highlights the beauty of the plant while obscuring the harsh reality of its harvest. Lush green leaves and an intricately detailed bodice line the front, distracting the viewer from the mass of shriveled, umber foliage that culminates toward the bottom. Along the back of the mannequin trails a crooked spine, resembling the stem of a sugarcane stalk. This element pays homage to the back-breaking posture of those who harvest the plant—workers who must bend and contort their bodies to complete this grueling task.