Exploring the sensory-rich Colors of Mexico by Fantasy Lab

Thu, May 22, 2025 (2 a.m.)

Walk into Colors of Mexico at the Fashion Show mall and you’re stepping into a living, breathing piece of the country. The 20,000-square-foot exhibit, which opened in November, pulls you into an immersive world with the vibrancy of a bustling mercado. 

Designed by Mexico City-based Fantasy Lab, each of the seven exhibit rooms serves as a homage to different regions of Mexico and the unifying traditions throughout the country. A $15 ticket gets you entry and credit toward food, drink and merchandise inside, ensuring you leave with more than just pictures for the ’gram.

As a Mexican American, the experience felt both familiar and revelatory. There’s comfort in seeing echoes of my own upbringing, but also moments where my own culture surprises me, even as I thought I knew it all. It surprised my mother, too. Prior to my visiting the exhibit, she had just returned from a two-week trip to the motherland. When she stepped into Colors of Mexico, she was speechless. The exhibit didn’t just mirror the Mexico she knew, it reinvented it. The twinkling lights in the firefly forest room were multiplied by the thousands against mirrored floors and walls. And mottos and jokes in Spanish were illuminated on colorful plexiglass in the fiesta room.

It captured her childhood memories with an artistry that was both playful and nostalgic, making her want to snap a hundred pictures at every turn, lost in a version of Mexico that inspired and sparked her creativity. 

Likewise, Colors of Mexico’s restaurant brings regional richness to the table. Think of it as a culinary tour through the country’s diverse foodscape. 

From the North (Del Norte), you’ve got the chicharrón de ribeye, a crispy, fatty, indulgent bite served over a bed of fresh guacamole. It’s simple yet elevated. In the heart of the country (Del Centro), you’ll find the creamy rajas con crema, a comforting, rich dish that mixes roasted poblanos with a luscious cream sauce. And the South (Del Sur) shines with dishes like cochinita pibil, slow-cooked pork wrapped in banana leaves and marinated in achiote and citrus, which practically melts in your mouth.

And let’s not forget the drinks. Sure, you can always count on a classic piña colada or margarita, but the stars here are the cantaritos, a refreshing mix of tequila, citrus and soda served in a clay cup, and the carajillos, a sweet espresso and Licor 43 concoction that doubles as an after-dinner pick me up. 

Must-see rooms

Alebrije Dream A stunning tribute to the brightly colored mythical creatures of Mexican folk art, with larger-than-life figures that feel like they’ve jumped out of a neon dream.

Día de Muertos A moving display of one of Mexico’s most iconic celebrations, filled with ofrendas, marigolds and a sense of remembrance that’s both festive and somber.

Colors Experience A space that captures the essence of joy and festivity across the country—taken from a soaring bird’s-eye view, you’re swept into the best and most beautiful parts of the country, from its warm beaches to grand cityscapes.

COLORS OF MEXICO Fashion Show, colorsofmexico.com. Sunday-Thursday, noon-8 p.m.; Friday, noon-9 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

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