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Grooving in Harmony with Her Rhythm

In the small town of southern Peru, photographer Juliette Cassidy documents viral TikTok star Lourdes Gutiérrez, donning her treasured polleras.

Rhythmically moving in synchrony with her own tempo: An exploration of her individualistic dance...
Rhythmically moving in synchrony with her own tempo: An exploration of her individualistic dance routine

Grooving in Harmony with Her Rhythm

Photographer Captures the Spirit of Tradition in TikTok Sensation Lourdes Gutiérrez

In the heart of southern Peru, on the outskirts of Puno, photographer Juliette Cassidy captured the vibrant essence of TikTok sensation Lourdes Gutiérrez in traditional Peruvian attire. Gutiérrez, a proud Peruvian, wears the pollera with a passionate love that extends beyond fashion.

Gutiérrez, who grew up near Lake Titicaca, has a deep connection to the pollera. She recalls seeing them in everyday life, a testament to the rich cultural heritage that surrounded her as a child. Her childhood home was nestled amidst cattle, lamas, sheep, and green pastures, providing a peaceful retreat every weekend after the hustle and bustle of the week.

Gutiérrez's parents sold goods in bigger towns, exposing her to a wide range of music. Her favourite type is Huayño, a genre that belongs to southern Peru. This exposure to music, coupled with her passion for dancing, cultivated a love for performance that has stayed with her since childhood.

Gutiérrez's TikTok videos, which amassed almost two million followers in less than three years, offer a platform to celebrate traditional Peruvian garments, music, and dance with people from across the world. She started creating these videos during the pandemic as a way to celebrate her polleras.

One of her favourite dances is the "Pinquillada" from her hometown. She loves to wear a vibrant red pollera with six underskirts, a striking image that embodies the spirit of Peruvian culture.

Photographer Juliette Cassidy's work often emphasises culturally significant portraits, and this collaboration is no exception. Cassidy's photography highlights Gutiérrez's indigenous identity, cultural preservation, and raises awareness of Peru’s rich textile heritage. This collaboration, while not extensively documented, can be seen as a contribution to both cultural pride domestically and international appreciation of Peruvian culture.

However, without specific details from Cassidy herself or direct sources regarding their collaboration, the precise details about their collaboration, the photographic style, narrative intent, or concrete impacts on Peruvian culture cannot be provided. For more authoritative information on this topic, a more targeted search or inquiry into art exhibitions, social media posts by Cassidy or Gutiérrez, or cultural commentary on their collaboration would be necessary.

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