Heritage through fashion design and art. To whom does heritage belong?

Thank you to all who have subscribed to the news, visited my platform, made purchases, read my posts, and hopefully discovered something new. Your presence and support mean the world to me. While my first blog post dives into a serious topic, I am eager to share my experience.

Recently, I had the opportunity to attend a panel discussion in The Hague, focusing on heritage and its protection. The event was organized by Cultural Emergency Response (CER). This group serves as a "cultural ambulance" by swiftly providing support to safeguard heritage in crisis. This discussion was part of the 70th anniversary commemoration of the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict.

The panel featured experts talking about heritage, its meaning and definition, its protection during conflicts, and the many challenges it faces. Listening to these discussions left me in admiration of the dedication of those working tirelessly in challenging circumstances, with limited resources, to protect our shared heritage for current and future generations.

Nations and communities would lose their identities without heritage. This realization made me appreciate the significance of my roots and heritage. My community has shaped my identity, and I've always been proud of my culture. I understood that showcasing Croatian heritage, culture, and lifestyle through my online platform, Wada&Co, is my way of expressing myself.

Fashion designers and artists often use traditional symbols in their work. In Croatia, different regions have their unique traditional symbols. For example, Baby Lasagna, this year's Croatian Eurovision contestant, wore the male national costume from Istria, which had black clothing with puffy white sleeves at the Croatian Eurovision Song Contest. At Eurovision, costume designer Valentina Pliška featured Istrian crochet and other traditional elements in Baby Lasagna's outfit. Finally, Baby Lasagna's eye-catching outfit received the "You're a Vision" award for the most impressive costume at the festival.

Kristina Rocks'n'Stones, whose  jewellery is on the Wada&Co platform, often includes Croatian interlace in her designs and Hippy Garden's designer sometimes incorporates traditional lace elements.

Despite globalization's significant influence on the contemporary fashion and creativity, each country maintains its unique design elements rooted in heritage and local customs, aiding in their preservation.

One of the most profound insights I gained from the panel discussion was that heritage, regardless of its origin, belongs to all of humanity. This concept resonated with me deeply, and I'm excited about the journey ahead. I invite you, my readers, to join me in this exploration of heritage highlight and preservation. Let's learn from each other, share our experiences, and leave them to generations to come.

                                                                                                                AvW