The Cultural Identity of Cholita Fashion in Bolivia | States of Undress | Refinery29

Hailey explores identity politics in Bolivia as exemplified by the rise of the indigenous cholita class and the used clothes trade.
This episode of States of Undress first aired in 2017.
ABOUT THE SERIES
Hailey Gates explores global fashion and issues the industry often ignores, showing us what the world wears, and why.
ABOUT REFINERY29
Refinery29 is a modern woman's destination for how to live a stylish, well-rounded life. refinery29.com/
RELATED CONTENT
The Streets Of The Congo Turned-Fashion Show
• The Streets Of The Con...
Is Style An Act Of Bravery In Pakistan?
• Is Style an Act of Bra...
Fashion Defined By Borders In Palestine
SUBSCRIBE TO REFINERY29
Subscribe to the Refinery29 channel: bit.ly/subscribe-to-r29
Follow Refinery29 on Instagram: / refinery29
Follow Somos on Instagram: / r29somos
Follow Unbothered on Instagram: / r29unbothered

[@Dianeediegoo]

Glenda deserves so much more from her government than being thrown aside, she’s an asset for Bolivia

[@Noey87]

Facts!!!

[@xiqueira]

Glenda should do her fashion show in those buildings designed in indigenous style and go all out showcasing bomivian design.

[@seame3795]

👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@Sea_witch_]

I'm so thankful for this mini doc on our beautiful heritage, Bolivian culture will never be replicated, imitated or replaced. Evo did so much for the re-rise and respect towards indigenous communities, the Cholita did not earn her place, she CLAIMED it ♡ it was hers all along. But one thing, lets not confuse the propagandist acts of political parties with the actual rise of the culture thanks to the pueblos originarios themselves. Evo was an image to inspire, yes, but he also had bigger purposes like any other politician with snakes on his back, eventually turning into what the indigenous people never stood for. He united Bolivia only to divide it once again. I pray to Pachamama that some day we have leaders, not tyrants, who wave the flag of ALL Bolivians for the world to see & our culture is not used as a political party strategy but proudly claimed as our true heritage, safely guarded, taught to the young ones, and a permanent cultural patrimony. ❤

[@gymismytemple]

Your heritage and culture is so beautiful. Much respect xx

[@_de_reve]

thanks for telling it how it is! as a fellow bolivian that grew up there i agree with your comment 100%

[@Niiiiiiiila]

Proud daughter of a native Bolivian man, always makes me happy to see our culture and country talked about. There is so much beauty to be shared. 💗

[@dakotac180]

I'm so glad other cultures are starting to be noticed. That architect is amazing, good for him keeping the culture. Also the aunty kicking everyone's butt is so inspiring. I wish the designer would have gotten her moment.

[@Noey87]

I absolutely love this!!! I'm so happy for Bolivia and the indigenous people that are thriving and showing the world their beautiful culture!!! 💖🎀🎉

[@HasanKhan-dr2vb]

HI friend novi

[@missywink1504]

The fashion show looked beautiful and I wish I could have seen the entire presentation.

[@maylee9136]

Thank you for illuminating the "Cholita in Bolivian culture." Glenda is a national treasure. The female fashion show organizers should have been spotlighted and allowed to stand in there shame.

[@Petruskinhap972]

My great grandparents are from Bolivia and this warms my heart so much. I went to La Paz once when I was 9 and have the best memories of feeling so loved and welcomed there. ❤❤❤ 🇧🇴

[@babemitzie6840]

I absolutely loved the documentary ❤ . I felt angry and sad, when the runway show was done in the dark without any people left 😢

[@sarabiaification]

What the organizers did was intentional, but this documentary captures such a humanistic beauty behind her, her work and her people that those Mesticos actually made her more triumphant and essential. In a time where modernity is about "fitting" into things, here Glenda is elevating her Cholita fashion and culture, this is beautiful, better than any modern fashion enterprise, this is real, humanistic, culturally profound and significant. My best wishes to Glenda and her journey as a designer, artist!

[@bseward21]

Hailey you are a terrific guide to the richness of so many cultures . I really love your reporting!

[@MsJanetWood]

🪶In South America, the term "cholo" and "chola" refers to an indigenous person. But, in North America, it refers to gang-banger that dresses all baggie and drives a lowrider! 🚘

[@Jacqueline-cd3hy]

Wonderful documentary! Thank you for showing our beautiful Bolivian culture and Cholitas. I’m so proud of Glenda and all of the strong and hardworking Bolivian Cholitas. #cholitapower 🇧🇴💪 ❤

[@HasanKhan-dr2vb]

HI sweet girl jacq

[@SubtleProvisions]

Love this story. Its inspiring to see an indigenous designer such as Glenda that just wants to share her culture. More power to her

[@daowarrior9463]

I am usually not so much into fashion, but I reeeally love your documentaries due to the curiousity, openness, respectfulness and kindness, with which you try to portrait the whole richness and diversity of any country. And I dream of an age, where we all live together in this open and curious spirit and enjoy and live all the beauty and diversity the human family has to offer.

[@Unwool]

This series has literally been so breathtaking

[@bensun432]

wow the power of the indigenous women is so inspiring. They are so strong. Thank you for showing us Boliva!

[@lesliespann6420]

Thank you so much for this! ANYTHING which empowers women is of supreme importance. Las Cholitas de Bolivia, I salute you! Your power in embracing your indigineity is a priceless treasure! The traditional apparel is stunning! And, Glenda, WE SEE YOU. 💚

[@erikad0511]

The cholitas attire is so beautiful and colorful... And oh ma gosh the scenery with the mountains, just stunning... Really interesting doc, well done

[@miriamcjackson706]

Hailey is really good at this, she has the same spirit for humanity of Anthony Bourdain. She is being the eyes and ears and voice sharing the stories of the disenfranchised with all its complexities through the lens of fashion. Now more than ever this voice is sorely needed and missed. Thank you for your authentic, intelligent, brave, calm and open reporting and sharing.. Can't wait to see more.

[@loindah4646]

I love seeing my beautiful country in the spotlight, it has people and folklore like no other, so much to love and be explored and appreciated 🇧🇴 🇧🇴 🇧🇴 ❤💛💚 much love from sweden !!

[@marloloop]

Muy guapa Glenda y también Hailey con su chaqueta hecha a la medida🎉❤

[@carrol59]

Wow! You are really an integral part of your productions. It would have been marvelous to see Glenda's own models and fashions in that amazing new building!!! Thanks for providing a real authentic glimpse into these lives!!! ❤ all the best to you!!

[@angiemartinez7863]

It’s really nice to see my country’s culture having that exposure it deserves

[@merockstheworld]

justice for glenda!!!! she deserves so much better

[@solo.solito]

Glenda deberia organizar su propio fashjon show! She is so good and original.

[@kevincosgrove4954]

Heartbreaking end... we love you Glenda !!! I hope her dream is realized

[@carabiner7999]

11:06 I saw a documentary on this amazing architecture years ago. It's gorgeous and wonderful. Buildings need to reflect the people and values of the country, or else we merely end up with ersatz buildings of another's...which is soul crushing and dull! The same with the beautiful cholita clothing!

[@mariasmith9998]

Great video I am very impressed. Bolivia is a beautiful country. Thank you for sharing this video.

[@agme8045]

It’s hilarious how the Bolivian government chose an Argentinian model to show their traditional clothing

[@kyramoonrise9064]

Goes to show you how “nationalist” is the so called “socialist” government. Total 💩

[@crystalbluepersuasion3897]

This was so interesting! Glenda’s Cholita fashions are so beautiful! The colors are amazing! I would love to dress like that! Now I want to visit Bolivian!

[@mofolk8896]

Lovely and interesting documentary. The world is a fascinating place; thank you for highlighting this piece of it.

[@SwticxsRox]

YAY!!! So excited to watch!

[@rafaelmendoza6256]

I think the fashion show should had took place in one of the buildings of the architect- Pienso qué el desfile de modas debió haber sido en uno de los edificios del arquitecto!

[@cherylcampbell9369]

This is one of the most fascinating films I have ever seen.

[@littlebolivian]

Love my Bolivia 🇧🇴

[@smileforme3429]

I genuinely look up to Hailey

[@davidpantoja676]

Absolutely love the apparel, can't wait to visit someday

[@lcj9564]

Que bonitas mujeres tiene Bolivia! Saludos desde el sur de Texas USA!

[@muhlaynee]

They did Glenda dirty. The sabotaging of her show was awful.

[@Tchokwe]

Yes, but with the help of Refinery and KZbin, the world will be able to see her work.

[@jp13119]

Actually, this needs a letter to the fashion industry in Bolivia. I think it was classless and uncouth. There needs to be a redo like other commenters have posted, she needs a complete do over. Viva las chollas polleras. Feliz cumpleaños Glenda la linda hermosa! Tan bella ropa indígena.

[@alyssaayeb]

Thank you for this awesome perspective, I was so sad in the end😪I love Glenda's show it was amazing🥰💖🙏🙌🌅

[@cintiapollock2486]

I really enjoyed this episode well done!

[@daisyrosario3438]

Love Cholita!❤

[@andreannegarant6346]

Those buildings!❤❤❤

[@irenesteele9011]

A bowler hat that makes everything looks good 💖

[@yadiramunoz566]

Great documentary!

[@ericac6787]

I am so sad to see Glenda's show be pushed to last while she worked so hard to represent her people with the upmost love and care. Its unfair but even this fashion show is a step toward progress. I hope she is even more successful than she hopes to be!

[@nialtex]

Beautiful and amazing... culture...❤...

[@coritoj]

maravilloso documental

[@s.d.7946]

I have always loved this look, and her outfit for the wedding is stunning 😍

[@kyramoonrise9064]

No, no, no. There are 38 “nationalities” recognized in Bolivian law, among them Quechua and Aymara, *being Quechua the majority of the identification* for ancestry and origin. So no, El alto, doesn’t represent the majority of Bolivian indigenous people.

[@rosech0senOne]

Love this. ❤

[@HasanKhan-dr2vb]

HI dear 🌹

[@isaaccliffkisakye7635]

Great documentary film

[@JZTB]

I love this series so much. Thank you for your fabtastic journalism! I am learning so much about the world. Glenda, you are so wonderful and talented. They did her wrong! Viva Las Cholitas!

[@JodiBrownCEO]

Great reporting!

[@haticehatice6930]

Wow greetings from a Brazilian daughter of Bolivians . The moment of 43:07 wow was really beautiful. You look like a little girl running to something unknown and happy to do it.

[@willar8565]

Would be awesome to see the beautiful Cholalita fashion show in one of those incredible New Andean architectural buildings !

[@MoetCristal]

I love this host and I love this state of undress series

[@Ang_Nicole]

Absolutely beautiful ❤

[@kailin7936]

wow

[@lucyguiland-nt9vu]

Their shoes are❤❤❤ beautiful 😍

[@breal7277]

Glenda Yanez es bella. Saludos a los hermanos de Bolivia desde Mexico.

[@nyahanan]

And I love to collect folk fashion!

[@howtoglowupfast]

i love the top Hailey wears at the wedding

[@cherylcampbell9369]

I am new to your channel. I have quickly subscribed.

[@Witchfoot.Incorporated]

New Andean Architecture is stunning, even if it was only the outside.

[@rosalindagarcia5062]

ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL

[@djmanogiltv]

Can someone tell me what is the song being played at 04:58?

[@kenosabi]

Fascinating and beautiful.

[@SnowFamilyOf4]

They did Glenda dirty, heartbreaking!

[@karolinakartagena4627]

Representation matters

[@dbenze]

“fun fact” when Evo became President, the Cambas (as in jungle regions of Bolivia around Santa Cruz) threatened to separate from Colla (as in Andean regions) half…. Santa Cruz is very different than La Paz and El Alto

[@dbenze]

also the issue is more complex than Indigenous vs Criollo (Mestizo). If it was we would not be so divided. Criollos are only around 10% of the population. Aymara matters, Quechua matters and all the tribes of the Bolivian Amazon matter.

[@Gdavras]

the two white bolivianos they showed don't seem to be speaking in the local accent

[@gunnarmiranda4808]

Some "mestizo" speak with indigenous accent some have neutral accent and even others have foreign accents (argentinian, english, brazilian) but no one talks spanish accent from Spain. Between the indigenous there are also a variety of accents depending the region, the eastern ones have camba accent (tropical indigenous related to guaranies and amazonic) the western indigeous that are quechua, aymara and the southern ones, "chapacos" that speak slow and singing, the northern are very few, I don't know their accent. Bolivia is very diverse culturally.

[@azeemali7102]

Watch it be a hit clothing line in years to come...

[@tiwantiwaabibiman2603]

Are the prices she's saying in US dollars or the Bolivia dollar? They intentionally sabbotage Glenda's show! I'm in the fashion industry and run a full service fsshion production company and I know political and racist sabbotage when I see it. How they treated her was BS and the whole show starting four hours late was also trifling, unprofessional and political. Outside of a act of Nature (or crisis), there's no way a major fashion show in NY, Paris, Italy... would have started one hour late let alone two or four hours late.

[@telmapinto2673]

Yo pienso cuidar sucultura mucha jente seba aquedar sin trabajó sí quitan . ..

[@telmapinto2673]

La ropa del peru es buena ropa respira la piel mucha ropa americana es de plástico 0 hechas de plástico peru100% fibras de plantas y lana pura porfavor no cambiar esa bella cultura😢😢😢😮❤

[@karolinakartagena4627]

Evo morales in my opinión has opened the opportunity for future indigenous presidents

[@kyramoonrise9064]

Really? 😂 So, why did he almost personally, dedicated for al,let two decades to stop the resurgence of future leaders, indigenousspecialy and refuses to let go whatever power he had and still has? Food for thought 😊

[@user-yt5sg7kp5s]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@DjQuienMKTLW]

original music by me, what happened to the credits?

[@massihen9615]

BOLIVIAAAA IS BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY PARADISE!!!!!

[@andreannegarant6346]

Yes second and clothing is a treat to their économy, it's called dumping!

[@Happy_HIbiscus]

native people! 😊😊😊😊

[@paolosantiago3163]

I really hope all the best for this amazing country of Bolivia 🇧🇴🇧🇴this country has been through many worst situations in history.

[@caroledrury1411]

The fashion is so interesting but after the fight I had to turn it off

[@ingrid4992]

It bothers me when foreigners use the word mestizo, it sounds bad comming from them, knowing how things are in North America, they shouldn't words are foreign to them...great docu

[@jamiebancroft706]

The clothes smuggling narrative would be a great subject for a bio pic drama.

[@pnwozzy]

Mariachi music at at Bolivian weeding ? Last time I checked mariachi is from Mexico. Bolivians like mariachi music?

[@Aryomful]

We love it. Mariachi culture is so popular. We also love maxican food.

[@jayroosevelt2341]

#justiceforglenda 🫶🏼🙏🏼💯

[@karolinakartagena4627]

The problem with Evo is that he was indigenous! He wanted to uplift his indigenous roots and bring indigenous people to power and dignity.

[@kyramoonrise9064]

😂😂😂😂😂 he was never indigenous! Just cause his facial features makes you asume that. He was just using it as a disguise for international support, such as gullible little you

[@_de_reve]

lmao no dude... problem with evo is that he built a mafia in el chapare and is living the rich RICH life and the rest is still poor.

[@lucyguiland-nt9vu]

They should FIX THE OLD ONES TOO (THE BUILDING) THE HISTORY OF THEY BUILDING WOULD SERVED THEM IN TIME AS HISTORICAL TRUSERS😊

[@SoyLais]

Alguém da oportunidades para Glenda!!!

[@dbenze]

WAIT… “governed by the Inca”?? the Aymara were the competing mayor culture pre-colonization. the Quechua (Inca) are still the only other culture called Chola in La Paz. Indios are usually the smaller tribes, that used to be governed by Quechuas or Aymara. i can see this is sincere, but it feels weird now. -ok. it’s improving quickly.

[@Nancy-tr5fi]

I like this person. She can talk to everybody. Though how does it work that she ask questions in English and the people answer in Spanish?

[@telmapinto2673]

Qué bueno me gustan las poyeras

[@carlossanchez-qh6lj]

Are those mariachis

[@MisOjosSePasearon]

Love this¡ but it is outdated too, since Evo is not president anymore

[@agme8045]

Not to hate on Glenda, but she seems to have raised a brat for a kid lol he called their maid “la criada”, idk about specific Bolivian lingo, but that’s a rather outdated expression in Spanish.

[@tantawawa44]

Not really

[@6A88I]

He said: ...y nuestra empleada

[@agme8045]

@@tantawawa44 in argentina (and several other countries) it’s definitely an archaic term. It sounds quite bad. We call them “empleadas domésticas”, or simply say they are the person/woman who cleans our house. (Usually we just call them by their name lol) But “criada”? It’s just as outdated as “sirvienta”, and both terms are looked down on. They don’t have great connotations.

[@karolinakartagena4627]

La criada is not a bad expression . She’s the maid.

[@kyramoonrise9064]

You would be surprised to find that colorism & classism are VERY alive and well within the indigenous population. The derogatory terms “muchacha”, “empleada”, “chica” are very common still and one doesn’t need to be a mestizo, white or rich/white to proudly own those attitudes. It’s just that it’s more salable a romanticized version of the indigenous people to the foreign eyes.

[@oliviapetrinidimonforte6640]

Since the time of the Inca empire the Aymara have not ruled themselves.