The University of New Mexico announced on Apr. 10 a new course for the fall 2026 semester titled “Bad Bunny: Fashion Revolutions,” which will be offered by its Department of American Studies.
The class aims to examine how cultural figures like Bad Bunny influence visual identity, fashion, and broader societal trends in the modern era. The course will focus on topics such as “perreo” as an academic subject, fashion as political expression, and the evolution of visual communication.
Francisco J. Galarte, Ph.D., will lead the course. “We are moving beyond the celebrity spectacle,” said Galarte. “We are looking at how a single outfit—whether it’s a 1940s-inspired zoot suit or a gender-fluid gown—can challenge the traditional policing of Latinx identity and the history of the Global South.”
A key feature is the “Digital Atelier,” where students will use Generative AI models to design speculative high-fashion looks for Bad Bunny by combining historical archives with artificial intelligence technology. The semester concludes with a public exhibition called “THE LOOK: A Speculative Gallery.” Students’ work culminates in group projects named “The Benito 2027: Speculative Runways,” where teams act as creative directors, historians, and prompt engineers to conceptualize entire runway experiences including colorways, soundscapes, and motifs rooted in critical theory.
The University says this interdisciplinary class is open to undergraduate and graduate students alike and reflects its commitment to innovation across fields while preparing students for ethical digital creation. The university serves more than 24,000 students across its main and branch campuses according to its official website. It also boasts over 200,000 alumni worldwide—including national academy fellows—and is recognized among top public schools nationally by U.S. News & World Report according to university data.
In addition to academics, UNM’s campus features Pueblo Revival architecture and serves as a cultural resource through libraries, museums, galleries, performance spaces while promoting diversity and community engagement as stated on its official site.
