Northern Mexico to the World: Montserrat Messeguer
Her newest collection, Caravana, is Western wear meets Coachella and festival wear.
Photography by Pedro Lollett
Montserrat Messeguer created her self-titled fashion brand to embrace and inform people of Northern Mexican culture. What does that style look like? Think cowboys fused with Indigenous Mexican traditional clothing like Charros, Huipils, bolo ties, leather boots, and large belts. Messeguer, however, is also a city girl based in Los Angeles. Because of that, she naturally adds a contemporary, urban aspect to each of her pieces.
For her newest spring/summer collection, Caravana, Messeguer taps authentic Western wear meets Coachella and festival wear with fringed leather jackets, studded leather, and floral-embossed two-piece sets, belts, leather flared jeans with vests, blouses, cowboy boots, and more. The chic city twist is incorporated through slip dresses, graphic t-shirts, denim and snake flats, bodysuits, and tracksuits. We can’t forget her signature cowboy boots with embossed phoenixes on the front of them.
Because music and fashion are so intertwined in Mexico and worldwide, Messeguer always incorporates music culture and her love for it into her designs. So far, Montserrat Messeguer has been seen on Dua Lipa, Emily Ratajkowski, Florence Welch, the Jonas Brothers, Mandy Moore, Camila Morrone, Ca7riel, and Paco Amoroso.
I met Messeguer in a retro room with carpeted walls in the widely known WSA NYC building. The midcentury modern room seemed made to house Messeguer’s collection, Caravana. Here, we discussed the inspiration behind Caravana, where and how the designs came to life, and what’s next for the Mexican designer.
Photography by Pedro Lollett
Could you tell me about Caravana?
It’s inspired by festival culture that originated in the sixties and seventies. It’s about the crossover of rock, country, and folk music.
Is this the environment you grew up in, or things you’ve always loved?
I grew up in Mexico City, and this is more Northern Mexico-inspired, where cowboy culture originated. Since I’m not from there, I was able to experience it from a different point of view. I’ve always loved cowboy culture, which includes boots, fringes, and leather clothes. Because I’m not from there, I appreciate it more.
Is your family more rural or urban?
They’re definitely city people, but I’ve always had friends from the North, and I’ve always felt part of that culture in Mexico City. They’re very frank and direct. I love the food and music. I’ve always felt comfortable with Northern people. I feel like I was supposed to be from the North.
How did you translate your love for the North into these designs?
We always work with recycled leather from the meat industry (in Mexico). That’s really central to the materials we use. Our denim is made from recycled fiber. All of the dyeing is done with vapor steam, so it saves about 90% of water.
How does that work? I’ve never heard of that process.
It’s really new. We are working with the only Mexican factory that uses this technology, which allows us to make small batches. It’s not a crazy amount of denim, which it almost always is, because the water-dyeing processes require tons of water. It also helps us grow more sustainably.
That’s really hard to do with leather and any material.
That is exactly why we always try to stay true to our values.
What kind of materials do you use?
Lamb leather, cowhide, denim, and embossed snake. We don’t use exotic leathers.
How do you want people to feel when wearing a piece from Caravana?
I actually came here for an award that we were nominated for, and I don’t feel like they translated what our brand stands for. We’ve always seen cowboy boots as Western wear, but we put a new take on it with contemporary values, aesthetics, and fits. I want people to feel empowered, sexy, and cool. I want them to appreciate good materials that are carefully done and will be valued for ages.
I never get rid of my leather, especially if it’s a high-quality leather.
My grandfather used to have a leather factory that made jackets and bags. We’ve always kept the clothes that my grandma saved, and we still wear them. They’re still perfect and can be worn generation after generation.
Photography by Pedro Lollett
Have you worn any pieces from Caravana in Northern Mexico?
I have. I’ve always been very respectful of how they will take it. I’ve always wanted to be from here, so it’s almost like me wanting them to adopt me, and of course, they say ‘yes.’ I feel like people who are into Western wear but live in cities really appreciate a Western moment with fringe, but with a new perspective or a new look on what you’ve already seen.
Are there any other themes you want to explore, or do you want to maintain the same motifs?
I feel like that’s central to our aesthetic and what inspires me most. I like to tell imaginary stories about scenarios of riding horses with a lot of these pieces, but for me, they’re for a cute night out. I like to cross both the vibes and regions.
What else would you want to combine with these themes?
I would love to mix it with fifties rock and roll.
What are you looking forward to from this collection and beyond?
I really love the Mexican music scene, its values, and the new music that is happening. I really enjoy styling them and having them wear all of my clothes for their huge breakthroughs. It’s a really exciting and proud moment for Mexican music. Mexican culture is growing worldwide and becoming more appreciated.
