An impromptu fashion runway in the streets of Cuba caught the attention of thousands of users on TikTok after the publication of a 30-second video showcasing models wearing pieces from the collection of designer Irene Irene Posa.
The clip, shared last Sunday by the account @yala.right, accumulated over 8,000 views, 122 likes, 47 comments, and 78 shares in just a few days, drawing attention for its originality in turning public space into a professional runway.
The presented collection is based on cotton thread fabric, one of the most accessible materials for independent designers in Cuba who operate outside of state structures.
One of the most notable aspects of the video is the explicit homage to the craft of sewing: one of the seamstresses who created the garments appears as the main feature of the show alongside the models showcasing the designs.
The narration of the clip underscores the fundamental role of those who sew the garments: "we are paying homage to this craft," is heard in the video, before adding that "without the seamstress, we would be nothing because we wouldn't be able to materialize our dreams, our designs."
The public parade reflects a growing trend among Cuban creators, who, in light of the lack of infrastructure and resources, are claiming urban space to showcase their work with an aesthetic as refined as that of any conventional runway.
The economic crisis affecting the island has limited the hosting of large fashion events, pushing many designers to turn to digital platforms like TikTok and Instagram to showcase their collections both within and outside of Cuba.
The craft of sewing has a long tradition on the island and remains the foundation of artisanal and independent fashion production, a sector that has gained visibility in recent years through events like Cuba Moda, organized by the Cuban Agency for Arts and Design.
The video by Irene Posa illustrates how Cuban creativity finds its own ways to project itself to the world, turning an ordinary street into the stage for a fashion proposal that, in the words of its creators, would not exist "without the seamstresses."
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