Art and Fashion in Old Havana

-

Written by Sophia Bass

Fashion and art trends are becoming more widespread throughout Cuba. When President Obama opened the doors to Cuba in 2016, floodgates of Americans began traveling to Cuba bringing clothing styles from New York, L.A., and Miami into Havana. If you walk around the Malecon, this is evident as men, women, and children are wearing sportswear and accessory brands from international clothing companies.

When I was in Havana this summer, I asked several individuals about the shifting culture around fashion and art. Many Cubans expressed that graphic design is becoming more popular. Artists are wanting to incorporate their designs into clothing. Women throughout Havana are finding ways to intertwine their local art into products, such as handbags, jewelry, shirts, and hats.


When walking around Old Havana on Calle Obispo, I noticed a small artisan market tucked between two old Spanish style buildings. Calle Obispo is known for its buzzing nightlife, music, art, and cuisine. Artisans sold jewelry, leather bags, handwoven baskets, shoes, and textiles. It was a great place to buy gifts for family and friends, while supporting local artists. I highly recommend walking the streets of Obispo when you are in Old Havana.

Check our website for more info on trip dates, itineraries, and destinations in Cuba.

Comments

Post a Comment

Thanks for taking the time to write a comment! You can also share our blog on Facebook or any other social media that you use. Spread the joy!

Popular posts from this blog

The Forbidden Shore: A Documentary about Cuban Music (Traducido al español)

-
Image
Written by Sophia Bass, translated below by Izzy Valdés. Cuba is known for its diverse music scene that combines European, African, and  Caribbean sounds. While you may be familiar with Cuban band, Buena Vista Social Club, the majority of the international world has not been exposed to Cuba's wide array of musicians and artists that play regularly on the streets of Old Havana.  The documentary,  The Forbidden Shore ,  showcases over 40 performances and interviews by Cuba's top artists. This film highlights how little the global world knows about Cuba and Latin America. Director Ron Chapman wanted the international community to know about the diversity of Cuban music. Chapman explains that he was in awe when he traveled to Cuba for the first time because he was unaware of the musical diversity on the Caribbean island. Artistic Director, Diana Vargas states, "We wanted to show a snapshot of the work that is being produced in Cuba today." As many people want
Read more

Cuba's Education System (traducido al español)

-
Image
Written by Sophia Bass, translated below by Izzy Valdés  When I first arrived in Cuba I was intrigued when I learned that public education is one of Cuba's top priorities. Ever since 1959 when President Batista was in political power, he was determined to eliminate illiteracy throughout Cuba. According to the World Bank, Cuba reported 12.84% of GDP in 2010 for public spending on education. Today, Cuba has one of the highest literacy rates in the world. As I was perusing the streets of Old Havana, I met young men and women between the ages of twenty-five and thirty waiting tables or playing music on street corners. One man named José who served me coffee said, "Would you believe me if I told you I was a dentist?" I replied, "Yes, but why are you serving me coffee then?" José stated, "I make more money waiting tables than I do working as a dentist in Cuba." José explained that the joke about Cuba is that there is a doctor or lawyer on ever
Read more

Elections in Cuba: How it Works (traducido al español)

-
Image
Written by Ian Sergeant and Sophia Bass, translated below by Izzy Valdés. Cuba’s presidential elections having just passed, we thought we would help alleviate any confusion that there may be regarding Cuba’s electoral process. In 2007, Raul Castro assumed power when his brother Fidel Castro fell ill. He was officially elected president in February 2008. After his reelection in 2013, Raul promised that he would only hold power for this second 5-year term, and then step down as president. This was extended by a couple of months after Hurricane Irma, in order to ensure the stability of the republic. On April 19th, 2018, Cuba’s National Assembly elected Miguel Diaz-Canel president of Cuba. The National Assembly of People’s Power is Cuba’s Parliament and is made up of 605 members, chosen on a local level through democratic elections. The last election was March 2018. They are the only body in the Republic invested with constituent and legislative authority. This means that when it is
Read more