Long before "fashion" existed in its modern form, textiles were the most valued art form in Mesoamerica and the Andes — fabric outranking gold as the highest expression of prestige and identity. That tradition has never stopped. Today, as designers globally draw on Latin American heritage, the question isn't whether to engage with it. It's how. This article explores what ethical engagement actually looks like, who's doing it right, and why it matters for independent brand bui