Don Julio, the popular tequila brand loved for its quality, has kicked off a new project that brings artists from South Africa and Mexico together. This initiative called the Don Julio Artist Residency, aims to celebrate art, culture and the mix of music, fashion and creativity. A big event will showcase the artists work on December 14, 2024.
As part of its “Por Amor” (For the Love) campaign, Don Julio is focusing on passion and dedication, values that are central to the brand. The residency has chosen some of the top talents from South Africa, including popular music artist Kelvin Momo, award-winning fashion designer Lukhanyo Mdingi, talented hat designer Crystal Birch, and visual artist Imraan Christian.
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Theo Zulu, a senior manager at Don Julio, explained that they picked artists who share the brand’s message of love and passion. “We wanted to find artists who really understand what Don Julio stands for, both in South Africa and around the world,” Zulu said.
Kelvin Momo, known for his music style called Amapiano, sees music as an art form that shares a deep connection to creativity. He believes that making music is similar to crafting tequila—both require a lot of care and energy.
Lukhanyo Mdingi, who is famous for telling stories through his fashion, is working with a Mexican textile artist named Victoria Villasana. Together, they are blending traditional designs with personal cultural tales, highlighting the beauty of handmade art.
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Crystal Birch is South Africa’s top milliner, known for her stunning hats. She draws inspiration from Mexico’s lively colours and festive spirit to create bold and eye-catching designs. Her work honours the legacy of the founder of Don Julio while reflecting the richness of Mexican culture.
Visual artist Imraan Christian has teamed up with Claudio Limón to look into ideas about identity and place through images, creating artwork that connects people across continents.
