By: Camila Rua/ Translated by: Leidy Rachen
On April 10, SENA apprentices presented their collection entitled "De redención a la resiliencia" (From redemption to resilience in English) within the framework of Universo MOLA Fashion Week. This was an opportunity for discovery for both spectators and apprentices of the institution, as the spectators could witness the talent of the apprentices. In contrast, the apprentices gained the experience of immersing themselves in organizing a catwalk for an event of international status.
Apprentices from the Colombian Servicio Nacional de Aprendizaje (National Apprenticeship Service in English) designed and made 17 outfits for the collection. In this, the predominant type of garments were dresses and wide-legged pants, in both cases, the waist area was the protagonist, since the outfits had harnesses, corsetry, and accessories that framed this area. The inspiration that guided this project was the impact generated by the arrival of the Spaniards in the Latin American environment, represented through corsetry and harnesses.
Another key element of the collection was the materials used. They made the garments using pieces of fabric available in the institution and clothes obtained from garment exchanges of the SENA and from the Minuto de Dios clothing bank. Apprentices explained that they wanted to use these garments to create sustainability-focused products that were circular and modular. Their garments are designed to be worn not only on the catwalk but also in everyday life, as they can be separated and combined in different ways, thus extending their value over time.
The materials used were leather, cloth, Oxford fabric for shirts, 100% cotton yarn, reused tulle, studs, eyelets, and accessories made from beverage can sheets. Most of these materials required extensive processing; for example, the garments from the Minuto de Dios clothing bank underwent a cleaning process because some arrived in a heavily worn and unwashed state.
The apprentices said this experience helped them to gain recognition, since many people are unfamiliar with their work. They re-signified fashion and its trajectory, they raised their voices as students to demonstrate what can be achieved through eco-design and how fashion can serve as a tool for transformation.
In short, the collaboration between Universo MOLA Fashion Week and SENA was an opportunity to explore, coordinate, and create a collection for an international event. It was an experience that the apprentices took advantage of to apply their knowledge and demonstrate their creativity.
