Carnival splendor”: design of the guacherna costume for the queen of the Barranquilla Carnival, Tatiana Angulo Fernández De Castro, as an expression of living cultural heritage

Abstract

This article aims to highlight the role of fashion design in preserving the Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity through the creation of the costume for the Queen of the Barranquilla Carnival 2025 during Guacherna Night. The research addresses the question: How can the design of the Queen’s costume contribute to preserving the es- sence and tradition of the Guacherna as a nighttime cultural manifestation? Using a qualitative approach, the study in- volved documentary analysis, participant observation, a semi-structured interview with Queen Tatiana Angulo Fernán- dez de Castro, and photographic documentation of the creative process. The results reveal the importance of integrating traditional elements—such as the use of lanterns and artisanal embroidery—with technical innovations in textiles and structures to reinforce the event’s cultural identity. It concludes that costume design not only provides aesthetic value but also serves as a means of cultural resistance, symbolic reinterpretation, and the generation of high visual impact in festive settings.