Fashion plays a significant role in preserving cultural traditions for the Andean women of Peru’s Valle Sagrado region. Ana Flores, a photographer, returned to her native Cusco to capture the timeless style of these women in her project titled “Donde Florecen Estas Flores” or “Where These Flowers Bloom.”
Flores, who comes from a mixed Peruvian-Swiss heritage, admitted that she was raised with a disconnect from her Indigenous roots. She shared, “Growing up, I was taught to strive for white European superiority, without questioning the vestiges of colonialism.” However, as an adult, she felt a strong urge to reconnect with her birthplace and explore her heritage through photography.
In collaboration with Peruvian art director Lia Lazaro and assistants Guillermo Orihuela and Cayetano García Sahurie, Flores embarked on a journey to document the women of the Valle Sagrado region. The photographs in “Donde Florecen Estas Flores” showcase the women wearing traditional garments like handmade pleated skirts known as polleras, slips, and simple sandals called ojotas. The stunning natural backdrop of the highlands further enhances the beauty and authenticity of their attire.
Through her project, Flores aims to challenge the stereotypical representation of Indigenous women as marginalized and passive. Instead, she celebrates them as dynamic and essential elements of their culture. Shot on film, her images blend her background in fashion photography with a deep-seated interest in exploring how our surroundings shape us.
Currently based in London, Flores plans to return to Peru to continue her project in the upcoming months. She hopes to further build relationships with the Indigenous women of the region and create more positive and empowering images that highlight their cultural significance. You can find more of Ana Flores’s work on her Instagram profile.
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