Two Artists Channeling Talent onto Fabric
Tara A. Spears
What do you do if you are born a poor man with talent and the heart of an artist? When you’re a kid in rural Nayarit, you draw, draw, draw, on any scrap of paper you can find. Then comes the day that you have to earn a living- drawing and painting won’t keep the belly full.
Like many ambitious Mexicans in the 1990s, Alphonso Castellon Valdez chose to go north of the border as a teenager. He ended up in San Jose California. During the years he lived in California, Alphonso learned English and principles of design. He got a job at a silk screening company and decided that was the business he wanted to operate in Mexico. “I was excited that I could still draw, make original art on smething that I could sell.” He returned to coastal Mexico and in 2008 began his one man business, “KM Vallarta.”
Looking at the scope of designs that Alphonso creates it’s easy to see the reverence he has for his Mexican culture. The symbolism and flora of Mexico is proudly blended with trendy design shirts, dresses, ladies’ tops. His artistic eye blends color plus style with quality textiles to create beautiful casual wear.
“I searched for several years to find the right supplier for my base garments,” explains Alphonso. “I spend six month of the year working in my home shop to transfer my drawings using the silk screen process.”
What effects the cost is the amount of ink and time required to achieve the design. “Each color is printed separately and must dry a day in between additions.” Some of his eye catching designs have eight colors! KM Vallarta Designs are not the cheap, mass produced souvenir shirts: they are original art that are hand embossed on quality fabric that doesn’t fade or shrink. Notice the details in each garment. Alphonso’s work exemplifies Mexican modern art using the medium of fabric.
From November through March each year Alphonso sells his product up and down the Pacific coast at the various town tianguis (outdoor markets.) You can view his unique casual wear at the Monday Guayabitos Plaza and La Penita market on Thursdays from 8:30 am until 1:00 pm. Email Alphonso to inquire about sizes or particular designs: kmvallarta@hotmail.com
Another local young man, born in La Penita, that dreams in color is Jose Magana. He said, through an interpreter, “I always had to be drawing as a child. My best experience was when I took my first art class- I knew this is what I wanted to do with my life.” Knowing that Jose enjoys painting with acrylics, a friend asked him to paint a dress for a special occasion. From the positive reception of that dress, Jose decided to explore fashion design. He now has had five years of training and is working towards having his own shop with custom garments.
“I love exploring with texture and blending colors in designing clothes,” said Jose. “It makes me happy when others like my designs.” Jose accepts custom orders 322-182-0294. In addition, he is frequently at the La Penita Community Center, Calle Lazaro Carderas #15 in the afternoon.
The Women to Women Fashion Show 2019 is pleased to introduce both of these talented textile artists at the event. The fashions created by Alphonso and Jose are not just clothes; they are a piece of culture because they put their heart in every design.
Thanks to the generous support of the Fashion Show Sponsors:
