New Books Network José Blanco F. and Raúl J. Vázquez-López, "Dress, Fashion, and National Identity in Puerto Rico: Taínos to Beauty Queens" (Bloomsbury, 2025)
Dec 7, 2025
José Blanco F. is an Associate Professor in fashion history, while Raúl J. Vázquez-López researches Puerto Rican popular culture. They delve into how Puerto Rico's colonial past shapes its fashion identity, discussing the revival of Taíno imagery and the symbolism of the Jíbaro. The duo explores the impact of diaspora on dress practices, festival costumes, and the significance of Miss Universe pageants in portraying national identity. They also touch on contemporary influences like Bad Bunny and future projects related to Caribbean fashion.
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How The Project Began
- José and Raúl began the project after José visited Raúl's family and learned about a local Festival de Máscaras.
- The collaboration grew from personal ties: they're longtime partners and academic colleagues.
Nationhood Beyond Geography
- Puerto Rico's colonial status makes it a unique case for studying nationhood expressed through dress and fashion.
- The diaspora expands national identity beyond geography, shaping dress practices outside the island.
Write Decolonially And Accessibly
- Write about decoloniality in accessible language to broaden its reach beyond academia.
- Use simple prose as a decolonial practice that resists elitist scholarly gatekeeping.
