Walking through Cusco, Peru I couldn’t help but notice heaps of Peruvian mannequins. Highly neglected, sometimes a bit tortured, they stood their ground and proudly represented Peruvian high fashion.
This is what they would have said:
ALBERT
“Albert” is a popular Peruvian name.It might sound a bit old fashioned to us, but Peruvians love it. Albert means “bright”. His sun allergy makes him stand out and he loves it.
“I am a special boy. I am beautiful no matter what other people say.”
His mom had told him that once he was small. She also helped him with the mascara. It made his eyes come out, he said. He would rather wear high fashion, but for now jump suits are fine as well. He hopes to be discovered and move to Milan. His mom would join him.
AARON
“Aaron” is Albert’s little brother. His name means “mountain of strength”. Aaaron is far away from being a mountain of strength. He was born without a face, but so desperately wanted to fit in, he painted his own face. He is highly depressed and fears his family will leave him in Peru once they move to Milan. If he knew his face was smiling he would be even sadder.
“I just want to be normal”, he keeps repeating.
PEDRO
There is something terribly wrong with that. I know that and Pedro does too. This, or the fact that he doesn’t have a mouth probably explains why he did not find any words to express himself.
CARMEN
Camen, formally known as “Carlos” loves her new identity. Finally someone saw her true colours, gave her a gracious wig and placed her front row. On the way to Cusco her legs feel off the truck.
“You can’t have it all”, she says tossing her hair back.
Legit.
BRAYAN
Bryan- he is beautiful and he knows it. He considers himself the best of all the Peruvian mannequins and proudly wears it on his jacket. His name means “strong and virtuous”. He likes to express is character with bright red colours.
“Man, what can I say?!” he mumbles.
I have nothing to reply here.
LINDA
“Linda” the beautiful one. Even with one eye and without arms she looks gorgeous. Her smile has fainted a bit as she had recently been dumped by Brayan for not wearing matching outfits.
“Duuuh” is all she has to say.
Can’t argue with that.
CARLOS
“Carlos” means “free man”. He has been in love with Linda across the street. She doesn’t like his stare. She says he was creepy. Carlos can’t take his eyes off her and who can blame him.
“”I see you” he keeps saying.
ERNESTO
“Kill me please”, he silently keeps repeating.
“Ernesto” means serious, which makes his story a little bit sad. His hat matches his jacket perfectly.
JOAQUIN
“I’m in LOVE with the COCO.” he keeps singing.
I can see now why he chose the pink shirt.
ANGELICA
Her name means “Like an angel” and this is how she dances. She might not have any arms, but she flies over the ground, swirling around.
“Who says you can’t do pirouettes without arms”, she laughs.
“I do”, her brother replies.
Their parents are to much around this is why he has to do his hair on his own.
EVELYN
She might have lost an eye but her charme has gone nowhere.
“You can pay me with VISA”, she whispers.
JIM
NO. NO. NO. Just NO. Something is terribly wrong here and we know it.
FIORELLA
The “little flower” likes Mickey Mouse. Mickey doesn’t like her back. Mickey is scared.
“Take me to Disneyland!”
No.
I don’t even know what that is, but the guy in the back loves his Coco.
JANET
Janet means “God is gracious”, but no.
Nope. Not in that case.
SPIDERMAN
Can you see him lurking around left of those two weird kids and the grey man? We don’t know what he is up to and we do not want to find out.
If you want to find out more about the meaning of popular Peruvian names, click here.