Comedian and Saturday Night Live star Marcello Hernandez wore a traditional Cuban azabache charm during his Met Gala debut in New York City [1].
The appearance brings global visibility to specific Cuban cultural symbols and supports small businesses in Miami's Little Havana district.
Hernandez used the high-profile event to pay homage to his Latin roots [4]. He specifically gave a shout-out to Calle Ocho and Sammy’s Joyeria, the jewelry shop that supplied the black stone charm [1, 3]. The azabache is a traditional Cuban piece often worn for protection and cultural identity [2].
By wearing the piece on one of the world's most photographed red carpets, Hernandez aimed to showcase his heritage and promote the South Florida business that provided the jewelry [3, 4]. The gesture highlighted the connection between the celebrity's roots and the local artisans of Miami.
Shop owners of Sammy’s Joyeria said the moment was about "putting Cubans on the map" [2].
“putting Cubans on the map.”
The use of the Met Gala platform to promote a specific neighborhood jeweler in Little Havana demonstrates the growing influence of cultural specificity in high-fashion spaces. By linking a global event to a local Miami business, Hernandez transforms a personal fashion choice into a strategic act of cultural representation and economic support for the Cuban-American community.
