Mechi Bartorelli, a prominent fashion designer from Roca, Argentina, combines local aesthetics and sustainability while teaching sewing to empower her community.
María de las Mercedes, known widely as Mechi Bartorelli, is a 33-year-old fashion designer and sewing instructor from Roca, Argentina, making significant contributions to her community with her unique clothing line rooted in the vibrant aesthetics of Patagonia. With hundreds of buttons decorating her home and two sewing machines at the ready, she holds fashion design and sewing classes twice a week at local schools. Mechi’s name is synonymous with her brand, where she crafts everyday t-shirts, sweatshirts, and haute couture creations, including wedding gowns and dresses for quinceañeras.
Mechi’s journey into the world of fashion began in childhood, where she learned her first stitches from her mother and grandmother. Though neither were trained seamstresses, their influence sparked her love for handcrafting garments. Reflecting on her formative years, she noted, “I’ve always loved to sew. When I was a child, I went to sewing workshops where a woman taught me.” In 2009, she moved to Buenos Aires to further her education in fashion production and clothing design at the University of Palermo, actively sewing and showcasing her collections during breaks in her parents’ home.
After completing her studies in 2016, she returned to Roca and resumed teaching sewing classes from her apartment. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic spurred a shift in her business model as she started creating face masks, pajamas, and comfortable clothing, addressing a growing market. “I sold a lot,” she recalled, which prompted her to invest in an embroidery machine to enhance the distinctiveness of her designs.
In collaboration with graphic designer Vicky Borsi, Mechi began printing fabrics that feature intricate designs reflecting the Patagonian landscape—from sunsets in Nahuel Huapi to the colorful flora of Trevelin. As she describes the creative process, it often takes around three months from initial concept to final product. She values exclusivity in her designs, opting against mass production to ensure each piece is personalized. “It’s all more personalized and unique,” she stated, echoing a desire to revive the custom-made clothing tradition.
Mechi has been teaching fashion design at two public schools since 2019 under the provincial Ministry of Education, wherein she imparts sewing skills to individuals aged 18 and older. The course runs for an academic year and has garnered positive reception, often featuring waiting lists. Many of her students are women, and she takes pride in providing them with competences that can lead to entrepreneurial ventures. “Some of my students have managed to start their own businesses,” she noted, highlighting the impact of her teachings.
Her designs not only showcase the natural beauty of Patagonia but also foster a deeper awareness of fashion’s environmental impacts. Mechi aims to reflect the regional charm through her collections while advocating for sustainable practices in the industry. She enjoys the creative solitude of Roca compared to the bustling life in Buenos Aires, finding inspiration in the local landscape. “I find it more inspiring to see the birds, the river, and the cliffs,” she explained.
For her haute couture creations, particularly dresses for special occasions, Mechi emphasizes individuality throughout the design process. Clients collaborate closely with her, selecting fabrics that resonate with their vision, ensuring that each dress is a true reflection of their personal style. The creation process is meticulous, focusing on fit and flow, culminating in garments that Mechi describes as embodying a sense of elegance comparable to “a breeze of wind.”
Through her endeavors in teaching and designing, Mechi Bartorelli embodies a commitment to preserving the art of fashion while promoting a conscientious approach to garment-making in a world increasingly challenged by fast fashion’s environmental toll.
Source: Noah Wire Services
