With the Time’s Up movement and immigrant rights taking center stage at the 2018 Grammys, the ceremony felt more political than in previous years. Swizz Beatz, for one, didn’t shy away from making a statement on the red carpet. Thanks to Mexican menswear designer Ricardo Seco, Swizz made a declaration about the importance of respecting people and other nations. When Alicia Keys’ date turned his back to the cameras, he revealed a message from 19th century Mexican President Benito Juárez emblazoned onto his red coat: “Entre los individuos como entre las naciones el respeto al derecho ajeno es la paz.” Juárez words date back to 1867, but given how anti-immigrant rhetoric has risen to the surface, this quote feels especially pertinent today.
Swizz Beatz – who is Puerto Rican and African American – has recently worn several other of Seco’s designs. On January 20, the producer wore a green Seco coat that read “Together, we are the force. Together, we can tear down our (in)visible walls.” He also wore another Seco creation with the same quote soon after.
Seco is known for drawing from his native Mexico for his collections. After 12 years of working as a businessman in Mexico, the Torreon native quit his job to pursue fashion. He made his New York Fashion Week debut about five years ago. He recently released a line of Huichol-inspired sneakers with New Balance.