Mixed herbs

Percy Irausquin

Traditions don’t always have to be centuries old, you can also create and cherish them yourself. Aruban fashion designer Percy Irausquin [36] maintains such a tradition: ”Me and my teddy bear are inseparable. Even before I was born, my teddy bear was waiting for me in my bedstead, predestined to belong to me.” The teddy bear is carried along everywhere since he left Aruba. “Before I became a fashion designer, I wanted to become a doctor; the marks on my bear show my early ambitions”, smiles Irausquin. In the middle of the hustle and bustle before the opening of his new gallery Irausquin tells what traditions mean to him. Percy Irausquin has Spanish ancestors. His youth on Aruba is responsible for a medley of influences, mainly through music: “Especially meringue en salsa. During parties and carnival these African influences clearly show. Then you can see what’s left of the slavery period. At home I used to dance a lot with my elder sisters. As a six year old I would be standing on their feet and we would dance in one movement,” tells Irausquin. Also on a professional level music has a positive effect on him: “When I am working and switch on music, I can see the dress move. Designing then turns in to a game of seduction, like for example the wind blowing up the dust.” Another custom that he picked up form his Aruban inheritance is superstition. “An iguana in your house? Not a good sign”, tells the smiling designer. “And during New Years I scent my house with mixed herbs and incense to keep out bad spirits. Besides the expulsion of bad spirits, this ritual gives my house a lovely smell.” For Irausquin this will be a life long tradition.