Guayabera designer commemorates Havana’s anniversary

teleSUR English

Cuba on move brings the story of the King of Guayaberas: Jordi Leal. teleSUR

Transcript

00:00 [Music]

00:17 Those who like dressing well and try on either traditional or stylish clothes,

00:22 the following stories with their book, which is the last one of the first season of Cuba on the Moon.

00:29 Let's meet the king of Guayaberas.

00:32 This November, San Cristobal of Havana village celebrates its 504th anniversary.

00:42 Haines' prestigious designer Jordi Leal will present two of his latest collections to commemorate such date.

00:49 Leal exclusively showed a surrealist series, "My Havana and Cuba Beautiful Island" with fashion models.

01:01 A slight representation of my last three collections, one entitled "My Havana",

01:07 which are Guayaberas illustrated with motifs identifying the capital,

01:11 we further showcase a representation of Cuba, beautiful island,

01:15 made of Guayaberas pictured with motifs distinguishing each province,

01:19 and we display Guayaberas of the Americas proposal.

01:22 Many people wonder, why did I name them Guayaberas of the Americas, if garments are Cuban?

01:27 And why is so? I think Guayabera garments are definitely Cuban,

01:31 but somehow they started to be Latin American too,

01:34 as they have been spread across the region, including the United States.

01:41 Leal alias the King of Guayaberas assures dressing on such clothes is like wearing Cuba.

01:47 However, he recognizes that despite Guayaberas are national garments,

01:51 yet Cuban youngsters don't defend them as they should.

01:55 We have been losing ground in Cuba.

01:58 Fortunately, Mexico and Panama defend so much the use of Guayaberas.

02:02 Currently, sometimes people associate them with those countries' culture,

02:06 because of the types of embroidery and weaving.

02:09 Hence, I think we have been losing ground, but we are still on time to recovery.

02:15 That's why Leal is determined to modernize Guayaberas, keeping their essence.

02:21 We modernize Guayaberas by respecting their significant elements.

02:25 Let's say we keep the same rows and saddlebacks, the upper, lower front and back yoke,

02:30 which is where the rows of saddlebacks start and end.

02:33 Let's say we keep the same pockets sometimes, but this one I am wearing has no pockets.

02:38 Anyway, who says it isn't a Guayabera?

02:41 We changed the idea that Guayaberas just ought to have classic color.

02:45 We designed them with a Chinese color like this one, and it looks very pretty, very attractive.

02:51 In this case of designs for women, even with necklines, at the beginning, I remember,

02:56 many designers told me, "How did you dare design a Guayabera with a neckline in the front,

03:01 in the back, with flared sleeves? Where did you see that?"

03:05 Those are just the most popular designs.

03:08 For over 10 years, Leal has been directing and modeling the academy

03:12 with comprehensive preparation for children, adolescent and youngsters.

03:16 Now he is working on the Guayaberas y Leal project, which is in transition

03:21 to a medium-sized company with a future international scope.

03:25 And he is writing a book entitled "Son of Cuba" as well.

03:28 But so far, what obsesses him is a house Guayabera museum in Havana, Cuba.

03:35 Coming up soon, the Guayabera museum will be open here in Havana

03:39 to exhibit designs made to several personalities, as visitors enjoy such collections.

03:44 In addition, attendees will see original Guayaberas illustrated by prominent visual artists.

03:49 Many people think they are replicas, but no.

03:52 So this fact adds an additional value to each Guayabera.

04:01 Lord Leal has been defending the use of Guayaberas for 10 years.

04:05 The first of these garments he designed was for his daughter's mother when she was pregnant.

04:11 Then he made one for his baby, which he says caused a sensation.

04:15 Now he has over 30 collections with the most ingenious design.

04:20 Today his Guayaberas are worn by diplomats, officials, presidents,

04:24 pornographers, artists and painters, but his wish is that they are worn by everyone in Cuba.

04:31 Almost all Guayaberas of these new ambassadors who are being accredited here in Cuba are designed by me.

04:37 Right now, at the 77th PLOS China Summit, which was held here,

04:41 many presidents, ministers, deputy ministers, in all modesty,

04:45 when they speak about Guayaberas, immediately they think of Jordi Leal.

04:50 Guayaberas for me are something I can no longer live without them.

04:53 I can't conceive my life without designing, without working on Guayaberas.

04:58 So far, the King of Guayaberas says his wish is that Cubans acquire a bigger culture of dressing well,

05:06 and that on Cuban streets, the national garment is seen more often with pride, style and distinction.

05:12 Fabiola López, TELESUR, Havana.

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