Fashion enthusiasts defy tradition in Venezuela 'battle of outfits'

Caracas: Ninety fashion aficionados showcased lace, denim, cotton, satin and recycled garments in an eclectic battle of outfits on Saturday at Venez...

Caracas: Ninety fashion aficionados showcased lace, denim, cotton, satin and recycled garments in an eclectic "battle of outfits" on Saturday at Venezuela's National Art Gallery in Caracas, challenging conventional fashion and embracing their "unusual" identities.

On a stage where attitude at times outshone style, participants strutted in bold combinations -- long skirts over pants, plunging necklines, scarves and ties over dresses, high boots and heels.

"It's about existing in resistance, in a country that doesn't always agree with you," said 28-year-old Alejandro Castro, who won the contest.

His outfit, inspired by Venezuelan writer Miguel Otero Silva's novel "Casas Muertas," which depicts a town's decline amid disease and the discovery of oil, featured earthy and cream tones, a deep neckline, a crop top, a long white skirt with a train, and a belt crafted from multiple scarves.

"Fashion in Venezuela has a rich tradition, tied to our colonial heritage, racial diversity, and American influences," Castro added.