Let’s Go Shopping! Sneak Preview of Original Designers for Fashion Show
Tara A. Spears
Just one enjoyable day at the outdoor market (tianguis) and I completed 80% of
my Christmas gift shopping. Since I retired, shopping is my cardio. Because it
gets warm in our sunny coastal community, I have an excuse for a refreshing
Margarita after shopping. One of the attractive features of visiting Jaltemba Bay,
besides the fabulous beach, is the array of artisan shopping. The colors and
textures of the clothing are so attractive.
All women enjoy looking good but some women love to
stand out in a crowd. It’s been said that fashion is art
and you are the canvas; for those fashionistas that want
be cutting edge as a trend setter and look good-
Jaltemba Bay local designers are for you. Look out Jlo
(or whoever is your fav actress) YOU are going to walk
the red carpet at the Women to Women Fashion Show.
You may never get to see a private showing in Paris, but
you can have a made-just-for-you outfit from Lucy
Moreno or Alma Placencia.
There are many amazing clothing craftsmen that produce outstanding original fashions. If you appreciate artesian clothing, check out the featured Women to Women designers in La Penita and Guayabitos. The secret to looking great is to wear what suits you best. Oh, you think, it’s so difficult for me because I’m a combination of sizes…. You can overcome that issue by letting a designer
measure you and make original clothes to fit you. Please be aware that most of the area designers/seamstress need at least two weeks to produce a custom item- so don’t wait until your last day in town to order. Most women feel confident when they know they look their best, even on vacation.
What does hand-crafted really mean when it comes to
clothing? The alternative, machine made, is the typical mass
production model of garment-making, in which clothes are
constructed via assembly line with very little human
interference. The process is automated and completely
replicable. “Handmade” means that at least part of the
garment was made the old-fashioned way, by hand. This might mean a hand-stitched collar, an embroidered sleeve, or embellished cuffs, or it could mean that a single person used a sewing machine to construct the garment rather than a sewing assembly
line process.
Most high-quality clothing involves both machines and real people and each technique has advantages and disadvantages depending on the application. When assembly-line, standard-sized, ready to wear clothing first became popular,pieces that were handmade were considered old-fashioned and unstylish. They were associated with clothes made at home cheaply, while machine made clothes were avant-garde and associated with designers.
But as machine made, ready-to-wear clothing became the norm, handmade garments acquired special, exclusive status associated with top designers and custom couture pieces. Fashion has increased production to astronomical levels,
and that sense of value has flipped. Handmade now carries more sense of
intrinsic value because of its typically superior construction, detailing,
sustainability, and human connection. In essence, the style trend is moving
towards handcrafted garments. Luckily, those in Jaltemba Bay can obtain unique,
one of a kind clothes and accessories in the local shops and outdoor markets.
Textiles have always had a significant role in Mexican culture, both socially and
economically. Textiles can be a powerful medium for
artistic presentation and beautiful clothes. Lucy Moreno
combines Mexican symbolism in her unique clothing items. Her hand painted designs come in bright, cheerful colors and the best traditional materials. For years Lucy operated a clothing boutique selling her line of men.
women’s, children’s clothing under her own label. Since retiring she only makes original clothes by appointment. When studying Lucy’s wondrous variety of designs, the symbolism is intriguing. Keep in mind that quality handicrafts typically reflect the tradition and lifestyle of the artist. The choice of subject matter, even color choice, reflects the passion and identity of a particular group of people. This is very evident in the
Lucy’s paintings as they are heavily influenced by her Mayan/ Huichol/Nayarit
heritage. To contact Lucy for a commission or private viewing, checkout her
Facebook page or private message Lucy Moreno Castellòn; email
sirenamoreno@hotmail.com; cell 322 294 4078
Fashion is a great thing; it’s a way to express who you are. By visiting one of the
Women to Women featured designers or shops that provide the garments for the
show you are helping educate talented young women with economic need. Treat yourself to
a lovely original item from a local designer- you’re worth it, and making a difference!
Visit Women to Women web page to meet the students or to donate.
www.mujeresamujeres.com