A tribute to the cultural heritage and fashion of Andean women by London-based photographer Ana Margarita Flores. Born in Cusco to Peruvian parents and raised in Geneva, Flores graduated from the London College of Fashion and has been developing a photographic practice combining fashion and documentary imagery wherein diversity and inclusion play a central role.
“Donde Florecen Estas Flores” (Where These Flowers Bloom) is a tribute to the women of her homeland, Peru, especially those from the highlands. The ongoing project is an attempt to create positive and powerful images that shift stereotypical representation of indigenous women. The photos intentionally include essential pieces of traditional attire, such as handmade Polleras (pleated skirts), Enaguas (underskirts) or Ojotas (sandals). In working on the series Flores has made repeated trips to Cusco and the neighbouring villages in a personal effort to reconnect with her birthplace and establish a long-lasting relationship with the women involved in the project. “Donde Florecen Estas Flores” also aims to spark a conversation on internalised racism:
“Growing up, I was taught to strive for white European superiority, without questioning the vestiges of colonialism. While my maternal grandmother has strong indigenous roots, in Peru, I’m perceived as white. As a result, I did not make a direct connection between her heritage and my own ethnicity, and until recently, I did not consider myself to have indigenous ancestry. I was driven to create this body of work as a reaction to how it has deeply deteriorated my relationship with a close and very important family member.”
