Lupita learned to weave on a pedal loom – a craft that women were once barred from participating in.

Leticia grew up watching her mother and grandmother create dolls unique to her Otomí community.

Manuela says she has spent her entire life “among fabrics, threads and embroidery.”

“I fell in love with the loom, not just because of the threads, the colours or the techniques, but also because of the people.”

– Lupita

Lupita, 28, from the town of Colón, dreamed of being a fashion designer as a child but assumed this world was closed to her: The loom was considered an economic activity – and for generations, that alone was reason enough to exclude women, who weren’t allowed to work outside of the home. Additionally, it was a tool designed for men, including a bar that women in dresses couldn't step over to access the loom. Now that bar is gone, along with the barriers that prevented women from working, as well as limitations on what they can wear.

Tradition, business and sisterhood: For Leticia, 25, all three are woven into the same dream.

Leticia is a member of the Otomí (also known as Ñäñho) community in the village of San Ildefonso Tultepec. Growing up, she watched her mother and grandmother make Dönxu dolls, which are colourful cloth dolls in traditional dress, a craft unique to her community. “I think it's important to preserve traditions to keep our roots alive,” she says, crediting her grandmother for teaching her to embroider.

The lessons in women's rights and sexual and reproductive health came as a welcome surprise amid the business and design training. Teen pregnancy rates in Mexico are disproportionately higher among indigenous adolescents due to deep structural inequalities, limited healthcare access and high rates of poverty. Leticia says that more openness could help address teen pregnancy in her community – two of her former classmates left school after becoming mothers – and she has begun gently passing on what she has learned, she says, “little by little.” 

Leticia’s dream now is to own a workshop full of female artisans, known for their exceptional work.

Central to her vision is the power of women supporting women. “It is very important to create networks or bonds among women,” she says. “What starts out as a work team ends up being more of an emotional support team.”

Manuela, 32, is a mother of two, also from the village of San Ildefonso Tultepec. She has spent her life “among fabrics, threads and embroidery,” creating artistic pieces such as wall hangings and traditional dolls.

Her sister, Genoveva, had encouraged her to join the “Fashion Expressions” project. “She told me, ‘You go, because you have to learn new things. It's an opportunity. It's for your children.’” Manuela admits she nearly said no, feeling nervous about trying something new. “I didn't want to at first because I thought, it's something I don't know.”

The project ended up changing her life, with the lessons in women's rights and gender-based violence reshaping how she sees her role as a woman. “There is more beyond ‘just’ being a woman at home taking care of the family,” she says. “A woman can go out, explore, have new dreams, have new goals, make herself known.” 

With her newfound confidence, Manuela looks to build her business as well as pass along her knowledge of female empowerment to others, including her children. “I want this for my life, and I want my children to see that all of this can be achieved.” 

Twenty-one garments, 18 women, one very special fashion collection. As the project concluded, industry mentors, community members and families of the artisans gathered for a spectacular runway show in Mexico City.

Lupita captures the graduation ceremony on video.

Manuela attends the event with her children and designer Guillermo Jester.

For Lupita, Leticia and Manuela, the graduation and celebration mark not an ending, but a starting point. The support continues, with investment in equipment, including sewing machines, and support from industry experts. Each is now building a brand of her own, deeply rooted in tradition, designed for a future of her choosing.