The first time I interviewed and photographed Gio Paniagua — creator of a new men’s shoe brand called GIGI — he was skateboarding and talking about his design studies. This time, he was walking along the scenic streets of Guadalajara, wearing shoes that he had created himself: an eye-catching pair of high heels designed specifically for men. Gio is making his mark in Mexico’s second-largest city with his line of shoes, GIGI. Don’t be surprised if you see his name popping up elsewhere in the coming months and years.
Gio Paniagua is from a small town in Mexico, but the 24-year-old fashion designer found his creative spark in Guadalajara, and has been based here for five years. In this exclusive interview, he shares his insight about the local creative scene as well as shopping and travel tips for anyone considering a visit to Guadalajara. He also explains why he wants to get more men into high heels.
MARK CHESNUT: How long have you been attractive to the creative arts?
GIO: Ever since I was young, I developed an attraction to art and I’ve experimented with music, painting, photography, textiles and artisanry. The faculty at the University of Guadalajara was my first choice. I’m finishing my studies in industrial design with the privilege of satisfying a market ignored by the fashion industry: the men’s high-heeled shoe. A shoe that would be supported by women, almost the entire LGBT community and any enthusiast.
In contemporary Mexico, the absence of the masculine high heel is unfortunate. Guadalajara has enjoyed a reputation for being a vanguard city with a vast cultural agenda, a modern city filled with an iconic Mexican identity, thanks to being the cradle of the origins of the charro and tequila, as well as the honorable title of being a gay capital. It’s a melting pot of global brands. GIGI is an endorsement of liberty, personal liberty and the freedom to live.
What is it about Guadalajara that inspires creativity?
It’s an electrifying city in a truly paradisiacal territory. People have traveled from halfway around the world to appreciate the beauty of the mestizaje, its culture, cuisine and impressive natural beauty.
What travel tips can you offer a first-time visitors who want to go shopping in Guadalajara?
I’d start by recommending the historic San Juan de Dios market to experience truly Mexican products, and then head to the Galeria del Calzado, a shopping mall where you can find a variety of casual shoes and designs from Mexican and international brands.
Guadalajara is a sophisticated city in many ways. I recently saw an exhibit at the Ex-Convento del Carmen museum about the LGBTQ rights struggle in Germany and Mexico. How is Guadalajara when it comes to LGBTQ life?
It’s a shame to acknowledge that we have been neglectful in our civic duties to our own people, and [continue to suffer] the separatist tendencies of racism, classism and of course homophobia, as gay people continue along the social ladder, as the concept of the ideal masculine man continues to change.
How would you describe Guadalajara as a gay vacation destination?
Guadalajara is the second-largest city in Mexico and it’s considered the nation’s gay capital, a vibrant city with a variety of attractive entertainment and cultural sites for the LGBTQ community. Its famed nightlife takes place in bars, cantinas, discos, saunas and other meeting places, which you can enjoy from sunset through the after parties. The city offers a 24-hour rollercoaster of fun, a vast offering for all tastes. In addition, its proximity to Guadalajara, which is a veritable paradise for people who love the gay scene, makes Guadalajara a good option for domestic and international tourism.