Restoration of costumes from the golden age of Mexican Cinema

Elisa Lozano and Renato Camarillo, experts in costume restoration and conservation, gave a presentation on the challenges and importance of recovering costumes from the golden age of Mexican cinema, organized by Asociación Vestuario a Escena Mx. Lozano, an independent curator, has dedicated her career to researching and documenting the history of film and photography in Mexico, and is currently coordinating a book on costumes in Mexican cinema. Camarillo, who specializes in textile conservation, has worked on relevant projects such as the restoration of costumes belonging to Frida Kahlo and Dolores del Río.

During the presentation, both specialists emphasized the multiple challenges facing the recovery of film costumes in Mexico. One of the main problems is the lack of specialized bibliography, which hinders the proper research and conservation of these pieces that are part of the cultural heritage. Despite these difficulties, the speakers stressed the importance of preserving these costumes as historical testimonies that reflect the country's identity and culture.

They also highlighted the richness of costumes in the golden age of Mexican cinema, where costume design not only had a narrative function, but also contributed to the construction of the public image of movie stars, while integrating international fashion trends. This wardrobe is key to understanding the dialogue between Mexican popular culture and haute couture, as well as its impact on the film industry at the time.

The presentation also addressed the urgent need to develop public and private policies to support the restoration and conservation of film costumes. Elisa Lozano and Renato Camarillo called on cultural and educational institutions to promote the training of specialists in textile conservation, as there is currently a shortage of trained professionals in this area. They stressed that costume preservation requires not only technical skills, but also a deep understanding of the historical and cultural context in which these pieces were created and used.

Finally, the speakers proposed the creation of a national film costume archive, where these pieces could be catalogued, studied and exhibited. This archive, they explained, would allow not only the physical preservation of the costumes, but also their dissemination and appreciation by new generations. They also stressed the importance of international collaborations, suggesting alliances with museums and archives in other countries to exchange knowledge and experiences in the conservation of film costumes. They concluded the presentation by reaffirming that costumes are an artistic manifestation that deserves to be valued and protected as an integral part of Mexico's cultural heritage.