Colombian graduate Verónica Franco Bejarano, 22, honoured her late father by wearing a skirt made from his neckties during her university graduation ceremony in Bogotá, Colombia. Her father died from complications of COVID-19, and the garment featured several ties he had worn throughout his life, including one from his military uniform. Franco Bejarano graduated with a degree in International Relations from Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, with the skirt serving as a personal tribute to her father's memory.
The idea originated during her older sister's graduation a year earlier. The sisters decided to turn their father's neckties into a skirt that they could both wear for their respective graduation ceremonies. Their mother helped develop the design, while other family members contributed additional neckties to complete the garment.
How They Made the Skirt
Their mother played an important role in making the idea possible. After considering how to attach the neckties, she realised that their weight would make ordinary fabric unsuitable as a base. She suggested using a leather belt to support the materials. She then sketched the proposed design before taking it to a tailor, who helped sew the neckties onto the belt to form the skirt.
The sisters also approached their grandfather and uncle for additional materials. They contributed four neckties to help complete the design, adding more pieces from their extended family to the garment. The finished skirt brought together the different ties in a colourful arrangement, with the leather belt serving as its foundation.
Military Uniform Tie Features in the Design
Among the neckties used for the skirt, one black tie positioned at the front holds particular significance. It belonged to their father's military uniform, which he had worn with pride for many years.
The remaining ties also came from different periods of his life and had been worn during family occasions, including baptisms, weddings and other celebrations. The collection therefore included items associated with both his military service and important events shared with his family.
Instead of selecting new materials, the sisters used the existing neckties to create a garment that retained their connection to those occasions. The placement of the military tie at the front also made it a noticeable part of the skirt's design, distinguishing it from the other colourful pieces.
Verónica Continues the Graduation Tradition
The skirt was first worn by Verónica's older sister during her graduation ceremony a year before Verónica completed her own degree. When her turn came, the 22-year-old chose to wear the same garment rather than have a new one made. This allowed both sisters to use the outfit for their respective university celebrations.
For Verónica, wearing the skirt meant having something that belonged to her father with her during the ceremony. It also continued the idea the sisters had developed together before their older sibling's graduation.
Her achievement at Pontificia Universidad Javeriana marked the completion of her International Relations studies. The graduation outfit formed part of the occasion, combining the family's contributions with clothing that had belonged to their father.
