Diana Amaya- May 23, 2020
Meg's Spring Collection Inspo: A Tour Through Mexico City
Upon landing in Mexico City, Meg and her team felt at peace and ready to soak up all the inspiration. Despite being more populated than their beloved NYC, Mexico City evokes a certain calm amongst the chaos. Perhaps they were sensing the gravity of a rich and storied culture overflowing with colors, textures, and tastes that far exceeded expectations. Perhaps it was the eternal spring and light-jacket-weather that’s bound to put a smile on your face. Or Maybe it was the in-flight Margaritas.
Meg & team arrives in Mexico City
CDMX airport is uniquely located a mere 5 km from downtown, which makes it an ideal layover if you have a few hours. If you’re in it for a proper escape, journey 5 more km and you’ll reach La Condesa. Home for team Meg for the week, this neighborhood is beloved by young artists, fashionistas and trend setters situated against a backdrop of wide tree-lined streets, gorgeous neighborhood parks, and a blend of gorgeous historic architecture ranging from Spanish Colonial to Brutalist and so much in between.
Be sure to take a stroll through La Condesa’s lush parks like Parque España and Parque México.
Enjoy the stunning interior decor of Hotel Condesa. It’s also a must for rooftop cocktails!
Tasting the Mediterranean fare of Lardo in La Condesa is highly recommended before it reaches Contramar-level hype. Get a table in advance, but not six months in advance. Try the pulpo!
The dinner crowd at Lardo CDMX
Meg enjoying Mexico City's culinary scene
On Day two team Meg walked twenty minutes to neighboring Roma Norte of Alfonso Cuarón fame. If the film Roma inspires a visit, we don’t blame you. The chic architecture of the film remains, and even chicer inhabitants traipse about bustling Avenida Alvaro Obregon, home to some of Mexico’s top restaurants and an energetic nightlife. If you like to indulge, sip on mezcal at Paramo and try cocktails at Limantour. When in Rom(a), right?
Lest you think this trip was all delicious food and mezcal, inspiration was found in every corner. However, no place stirred the creative senses quite like La Casa Luis Barragán. Known as “one of the most influential and representative examples of modern architecture,” Casa Barragan is the former home turned museum of the namesake architect and his personal items including furniture and an impressive art collection with works from Pablo Picasso and Diego Rivera. Being design aficionados, this sacred space of modern Mexican architecture was a trip highlight and a significant source of inspiration for Meg SS’20 collection. Just look at the photos below and tell me you don’t feel *feelings*
Truly a wealth of colors, textures, and history, the design journey continued with the inspirations of neighborhoods Coyoacán and San Angel. Naturally, Meg and her team spent a few glorious hours in Coyoacán admiring La Caza Azul (The Frida Kahlo Museum), the family home that bred the most prolific female Mexican artist of her time. As any modern creative female identifying person knows (and certainly many others), Frida Kahlo was a queer feminist artist and revolutionary who inspired generations of womxn to create, find their strength, and be true to themselves. Needless to say, this was a necessary and inspiring stop for three women at the helm of a female-owned brand that aims to empower womxn everyday.
Meg enjoying the audio tour at La Casa Azul
Last but certainly not least, team Meg ventured to San Ángel to visit the former shared home and studios of Kahlo and husband Diego Rivera, known as Casa Estudio Diego Rivera y Frida Kahlo. This Mexican functionalist marvel designed by the couple’s friend, famed architect Juan O’Gorman, houses a collection of Rivera’s papier-mâché creations and features a bridge that connected their separate houses; one for Diego, and another “Casa Azul” for Frida. You know, for when she needed to escape her philandering husband.
After Casa Estudio Diego & Frida, Meg and her team walked San Angel’s charming cobblestone streets to Bazaar Sabado, a sprawling Saturday market where hundreds of artisans purvey a variety of beautiful handmade wares. Just look at these intricate details and saturated colors!
Hand-painted calaveras, decorative skulls used to celebrate Dia de los Muertos or Day of the Dead
Posters advertising Lucha Libre (Mexican Wrestling) fights
Intricate hand-embroidered table runners
Do any of the new the SS’20 pieces remind you of these Mexico gems? What’s your favorite stop in Mexico City?