Ethnicity in the context of fashion: An analysis of Kolita, Tehuana, and Yao women

This thesis explores ethnic clothing among Kolita, Tehuana, and Yao women, investigating how the clothing of these ethnic female communities reflects their cultural beliefs. It emphasizes that Yao women in China, Tehuana in Mexico, and Kolita in Bolivia steadfastly maintain their traditional attire in daily life. The research focuses on the symbolic meanings embedded in their traditional clothing and examines the beliefs conveyed through these symbols. As a result of this research, a new design has been created that incorporates elements such as Cholita's melon hat, the sound image from the Tehuana traditional clothing, and the long hair of Yao women. The aim of this study is to explore how the clothing of these strong and feminine women can serve as an inspiration for contemporary fashion design. This thesis argues that the garments reflecting these women's beliefs have the potential to inspire fashion designers, and that the resulting designs could highlight the feminine strength of modern women, thereby contributing to the field of fashion design.