Do you love to party? Are you eagerly waiting for the chance to go to Ciudad Carnaval to see the floats and fight for the cups and t-shirts they give out? Above all, do you enjoy the music and vibrant colors of the celebration that transport us to a world of fantasy and joy? Then perhaps, like me, you’ve wondered: who creates the stunning costumes we see in the parades every year?
As a proud Yucateca, I’ve enjoyed the Carnaval de Mérida every year for as long as I can remember. One of the things I look forward to the most is undoubtedly seeing the magic of Carnaval reflected in the dazzling costumes and outfits. Through them, the kings and dancers convey the theme that changes each year.
The theme for 2025 will focus on highlighting tropical colors, traditions, and music. The show, titled “Reyes del Amazonas” (Kings of the Amazon), aims to convey a message of environmental care.
Who creates the costumes that adorn the Carnival of Mérida?
This year, I had the incredible opportunity to meet one of the people behind the costumes for the Carnaval de Mérida for the past 16 years: costume designer Gilmer Erguera. This year, Gilmer will once again be the one to delight our eyes (and I’m not exaggerating) with all the costumes for the dancers and some of the kings and queens who will be part of the “Reyes del Amazonas” 2025 show.
Gilmer Erguera has been creating costumes and designing fantasy worlds through fabrics and materials for 24 years. He has not only worked for the Carnaval de Mérida but also for the carnivals of other states like Campeche, Veracruz, and Quintana Roo, to name a few.
How are the costumes for the Carnival of Mérida made?
The creative process for making the costumes begins with the creativity of the Artistic Director of the Carnival Committee. This year, we will enjoy a musical and visual experience led by Maestro Carlos Izquierdo. Once the theme is defined, Gilmer dives into an exhaustive research process to create a concept that conveys the essence of the theme through colors and materials. Carnival costumes can feature up to 15 different types of materials, ranging from fabrics and rhinestones to unexpected items for a costume, like huano and seashells.
Once the concept is set, the process of constructing and sewing each piece of the costume begins: the base dress or bodysuit, the headdress, shoulder pieces, sleeves, shoes, and even jewelry.
Making the costumes for each year’s kings or queens takes Gilmer approximately two weeks. During this time, it's crucial to leave room for fittings and adjustments to ensure that every detail is ready for the wearer to dance and perform to their fullest during the parades and shows.
The 2025 Carnival of Mérida
What do we mean by "each year’s kings or queens"? For the Carnaval de Mérida, one king and one queen are not enough. In total, our carnival has 12 monarchs, including the kings and queens for children, youth, the elderly, those with intellectual disabilities, and those with motor disabilities.
But that’s not all. As I mentioned earlier, Gilmer’s mission is to create the costumes for the entire troupe of dancers, musicians, and singers that make up the musical show. Each dancer has between two and three costume changes, resulting in a total of approximately 130 costumes. Are you as impressed as I am?
How do they achieve this odyssey?
For this fantasy to become a reality, Gilmer and his team (about 12 people whom he considers more like family) begin preparations in mid-July, about eight months before the event. This is not only because of the number of costumes they have to make, but also because many of the materials they use are imported from abroad.
Shoemakers, seamstresses, jewelers, and artisans are just a few of the people needed to make the magic possible.
The inspiration behind the fantasy
But how does Gilmer manage to turn an idea into a costume? Gilmer’s costumes stand out for being unconventional. He isn’t afraid to take risks and create each costume as if he were going to wear it. He is living proof that when you’re passionate about what you do, the limits are set by you alone.
In his own words, "This is innate, it’s a blessing you’re born with—a skill to translate your emotions into each garment. When you design the idea, the paper on which you do it is flat, but when you bring it to life, it becomes the thread that tells a story. Each costume is a different story."
The great celebration of Mérida’s joy, Mérida’s Carnival, will take place from February 26 to March 5, 2025, at Ciudad Carnaval, located at the Xmatkuil fairgrounds. Don’t miss it, and when you go, take a moment to appreciate the work of artists like Gilmer Erguera, who bring life, shine, and color to the fantasy.
Photos by the Comite Permanente del Carnaval de Mérida for use in Yucatán Today
First published in Yucatán Today print and digital magazine no. 446, in February 2025.
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