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Handmade in Mexico

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Factual: Arts, Culture & the Media: Arts

An intricate look at the creation process of three Mexican art forms.

Laura Kaye

Steve O'Hagan

Handmade in Mexico: Series 1: Episode 1: Huipil

Huipil

Episode 1

Episode 1: Huipil

Series 1

BBC Four - Handmade in Mexico, Series 1, Huipil

A look at the creation of a huipil, a loose-fitting tunic crafted by Zapotec women.

An intricate look at the creation process of three Mexican art forms. A huipil is a loose-fitting tunic crafted by Zapotec women who live in a matriarchal culture.

A huipil is a loose-fitting tunic, generally made from two or three rectangular pieces of fabric which are then joined together with stitching, ribbons or fabric strips, with an opening for the head and, if the sides are sewn, openings for the arms. Tehuana dresses are crafted by Zapotec women who live in a matriarchal culture. They elaborately embroider very elegant dresses made of velvet or silk, which they wear at religious ceremonies and fiestas. These dresses were famously worn by Frida Kahlo. The huipiles originate from crafts developed to meet very utilitarian needs, but became more decorative as time went on and now they are regarded as objects of status.

Handmade in Mexico: Series 1

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Episode 1: Huipil

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