Atención Fashion: Buying From A Local Designer - Creating A Piece Of Personal Identity

By Isabel Castrejón Pascacio

In a world saturated with mass-produced fashion, the experience of buying a garment from a local designer is a breath of fresh air. It’s not just about what you wear, it’s about how you came to own it. When clients interact with the person behind the piece, explore customization options, and learn about the story stitched into the fabric, something magical happens: the clothing becomes more than an item, it becomes part of a personal story and style identity.

Fashion is often viewed as superficial or fleeting, but at its core it is deeply personal. What we choose to wear communicates something about who we are, our mood, our values, and our place in the world. When that choice is linked to a meaningful experience, it resonates on a deeper level. Local designers offer something mass fashion can’t compete with: authenticity. Their work reflects a unique perspective, often tied to culture, place, and creative dialogue. But authenticity alone isn’t enough. What transforms a garment into a treasure is the experience of acquiring it.

Imagine purchasing a beautifully tailored jacket. Now imagine getting that same jacket after spending time with the designer, learning what inspired the silhouette, why a specific fabric was chosen, or how the piece evolved from sketch to finished garment.

This conversation does more than educate: it builds appreciation. You see the time, skill, and thought woven into each detail. Suddenly the piece isn’t “just a jacket” but a story you are part of. You’re likely to return to a designer whose values and process resonate with yours. It’s human nature to value what we understand and participate in. When clients are invited into the creative process, even if only through dialogue, they become collaborators in spirit.

One of the most compelling aspects of buying from a local designer is the possibility of customization. Whether it’s adjusting a neckline, choosing a color palette, or selecting special buttons, these tailored choices put the buyer’s personality into the garment. Customization does more than ensure a perfect fit, it makes the garment uniquely yours. It also encourages thoughtful decision-making about your wardrobe and reduces impulse buying and promotes purposeful fashion choices. Every choice tells a story. When a client selects details alongside a designer, that story is embedded in the garment itself.

A wardrobe isn’t just a collection of clothes, it’s a visible expression of who you are. When clients engage with local designers, ask questions, and help shape pieces, they aren’t just buying clothes, they’re crafting a personal style that is intentional and meaningful. This intentionality has ripple effects. People who value craftsmanship and story tend to build more versatile wardrobes, invest in higher-quality pieces, and dress with greater confidence and clarity. Rather than chasing trends, they curate a wardrobe that reflects their values.

The experience of buying from local designers aligns with the principles of slow fashion, an approach that emphasizes quality, sustainability, and connection. In contrast to fast fashion’s transactional nature, slow fashion treasures the human relationships behind each piece. This slower, more thoughtful approach encourages customers to understand where garments come from, care about the people and skills involved, and choose purchases intentionally and sustainably. In doing so, fashion becomes less about consumption and more about creation and connection.

A garment may start as fabric and thread, but through conversation, customization, and connection, it becomes a piece of personal identity. Buying from a local designer isn’t just a transaction; it’s an experience that shapes how you see your clothing, yourself, and your relationship with style. So next time you’re walking around town and step into a designer’s showroom, ask them about their pieces, they’re often happy to engage and talk about their process. I promise that whatever you end up buying will become some of your favorite pieces in your wardrobe.

Isabel is an art history professor at the UNAM as well as founder of WearSanMiguel, and organizes  Fashion Parade, the largest yearly fashion show in San Miguel