Upcycling Havana: Fashion, Art & Architecture

Havanna – the vibrant capital of Cuba – delights the visitor with its brightly coloured façades, American vintage cars and Caribbean flair. Along with the city’s tourist hotspots, this guidebook leads you to the latest workshops of trendy fashion designers as well as selected architectural highlights, bars and shops which enable you to experience Havana in a completely new way as it undergoes its current transformation into a modern city.

Re- and upcycling have been familiar concepts in Havana for decades. Now a young generation of designers has redeveloped the tradition born of necessity and produces artistic and affordable clothing and unique items. In view of the increasing shortage of resources and the littering of our planet, the metropolis provides inspiring examples for a sustainable fashion movement as well as for a gentle refurbishment and conversion of historical buildings. With addresses of selected galleries, museums, fashion labels, bars and trendy shops.

About the Author

Michael M. Thoss is a Hispanist and cultural scientist. From 2018 until the end of 2022 he worked for the Goethe-Institut at the German embasssy in Havana.

Boris Perez Vasquez is a fashion designer, artist and curator for textile art. Since 2016 he has taught textile science at the Institute for Industrial Design (ISDI) at the University of Havana.