Bianca is modeling a homemade cotton two-piece Fiesta-Squaw
Dress with gold , silver and coral ric-rac. It is a full-circle skirt and is
beautifully pleated. For all these
reasons including points for creativity, this dress is rated a full five stars
*****. (only true Squaw-Fiesta Dresses are rated)
This is a two-piece bitone raincloth dress by "Buckboard Fashions, Tucson, Arizona" with gold and silver ric-rac. It does not have a full circle skirt. For lack of individuality it rates ***. (Photo by John Valdez at El Rancho de las Golondrinas)
This close-up depicts the buckskin jacket worn that day. It is a lesser jacket made with suede cloth and not buckskin.
This cotton dress by "Jeanette's Southwest Fashions, Albuquerque, NM" was part of a five piece purchase from the Albuquerque Light Opera. I guess they were used in productions. Here Sisi models one of the mid-length skirts with a matching top with turquoise, black and white ric-rac and lots of sumptious braid. With the absence of tiering ****.
I am modeling another of the blouses with the full-length skirt.
Here the Collins Cousins: Bailey, Meona and Reagan model all five pieces --Bailey sporting a white lace peasant blouse with her full length skirt.
On a trip up north in the fall, I am modeling a rather plain homemade one-piece cotton squaw dress with a silverbelt and Native American shell jewelry. Not much of interest here ** (Photo at Orlandos in Taos by Waymundo)
In Trampas, I dress it up a bit with this A.C.Sport jacket with colorful depictions of Mexican artifacts. (Waymundo)
Bianca braved a cold winter breeze to model this "Jeanette's Original, Albuquerque, NM" cotton two-piece Bi-tone (turquoise facing on the collar)squaw dress with red and black ric-rac and some Indian design braid. *** This dress was also purchased from the Albuquerque Light Opera. Only the black tights give away how cold it was!
At Thanksgiving, I am modeling an outfit than spans several countries and several time periods. The tapestry blouse is by Roja from Mexico, the tiered satin skirt is by Silvertips from New Mexico and the Spanish comb is outlined on the photo because it truly blended into the background.
Jenny is modeling another "Jeanette's Original" dress in a very airy and light fabric with just the barest of silver ric-rac and braid. Another from the Albuquerque Light Opera. ** Jenny is wearing a Charro style hat by John Boulton and is on a colorful bench in Santa Fe Village.
MEXI-EURO--last year we displayed what I called "Mexitalian" outfits--dresses by Italian designers with Mexican accessories, this year we continue but with one Italian and one Spanish designer.
When Chiara was home from Berlin at Christmas time, she modeled this Oscar de la Renta original design with a Oaxacan shawl and corona.
Meantime, I modeled a Docle & Gambana dress with a burnt velvet shawl and the Sagrada spiked Corona from Oaxaca.
Close to New Year's, Sisi made this Mexican shawl the focal point of her velvet outfit. She is posing on the Stage at the Mineshaft Tavern in Madrid, NM.
This is a truly super bi-tone highly pleated squaw dress with silver white and pumpkin ric-rac and silver braid. It is meticuously crafted by "Arizona Fashions". Full Five-star rating *****
It was a cold day, and I wore this "Scully Since 1906" buckskin fringe jacket. It is thinly lined, but has some interesting twists in the design.
"Howdy 'Mam!" Kiki looks quite at home on that bar stool in Madrid! She is modeling a "Desert Flower, Albuquerque" two-piece cotton dress that sports a plethora of silver ric-rac and braid on the skirt and on the open split sleeves of the top. The bodice is totally free of decoration, but I suppose that's why God invented silver jewelry..... She is also wearing a Larry Maharis Milano cowboy hat--quite the fetching little lady! Totally full, super fantastic skirt , full five-star rating *****
In this shot, the emphasis is on the "Pioneer Wear, Quality in Action" buckskin fringe jacket, this is by far the best broken-in, warmest and best quality of my buckskin jackets.
Some detailing on a previously posted jacket--if you check out the lower left-hand corner of the shot, you will see one of the asymetrical fringe-tied slashes on the jacket that give it an edgier appeal.
VIVA MEXICO! is what this fabulous spangled, velvet. two piece dress bearing the symbols of Mexico seems to be saying! Wendy is modeling it in the lobby of The St. Francis Hotel, Santa Fe. She tops it with a Pigalle sombrero--also "Hecho en Mexico"!
Note the lovely designs on the blouse and the typical Mexican scenery with the pyramids and mountains of the country depicted.
Come the dead of winter, this Aleni Bernard embroidered wool skirt and shawl help to brighten the spirits! I am wearing it with a grey gaucho hat, but I have acquired the PERFECT wool hat and will photograph it again next winter just for another outing in this great outfit! (Waymundo)
Close-up of some of the copper jewelry worn with this outfit. Most of it is by Rebajes--one of the trendiest jewelry designers in "mid-century" New York!
This is a photo of the Rebajes showroom on Fifth Avenue in New York City--amazing! In the 1950s, it was one of the swankiest showrooms in the city. I collect Rebajes copper jewelry whever I come across it.....
A beauty! Both my baby girl Bianca and this skirt from her collection. She teamed this outstanding bi-tone skirt with a white lace peasant blouse. The skirt is almost solid ric-rac and braid and is a perfectly full-circle creation! Despite all this glory, without it's top, I can only give four stars: ****.
Miss Jenny sitting pretty in the Del Charro Lounge in the Inn of the Governors, Santa Fe, NM. She is wearing a "Junior House,
Milwaukee" creation two-piece dress. I had originally thought to team this dress with a Spanish comb and mantilla, but I think Jenny's choice of a gaucho hat is much more in keeping with the setting.
OUT ON THE LLANO, in the springtime, I am modeling a one-piece, raincloth mint green cowl neck dress by "Desert Flower, Albuquerque". Because of the problems with fit with most one-piece dresses and the paucity of the silver ric-rac and braid, I rate it :***. (Waymundo)
Up close, the unusual cowl neck is more apparent as well as the trim down the sleeves that is often missed in photographing fiesta clothes.
A charming new model, Sarah, models this cotton muslin embroidered "Leifsoothia" design. Perfect for casual afternoon fiesta wear with the shorter length, it is just right for afternoon curb-sitting on the Plaza.
Though not totally apparent in the original photo, the stripes are all embroidered designs.
Sisi models another velvet spangled Mexican skirt with hand painted designs and a Pigalle sombrero.
In this shot, you can see that the design is the famous depiction of an Aztec warrior shooting an arrow into the heavens as he mourns over the body of his beautiful beloved amid the pyramids and other Mexican designs. Good job Sisi!
Wendy models this handpainted Mexican skirt with a gorgeous black peasant blouse. She westernized it with a charming red straw hat with a mysterious veil.
Our cover dress--a handmade richly embroidered two-piece cotton shorter length dress worn with a cut velvet ruhana and Mexican jewelry and corona. (Waymundo)
Rachel knocks it out of the park in a very clever American dress that features black and white Mexican motiffs spangled with glitter paint and a very modern jersey knit top. A simple squash blossom necklace and a Pigalle Sombrero complete the ensemble.
YOUNGER THAN SPRINGTIME, Sarah models a fresh outfit along the banks of the Santa Fe River. The skirt is heavy muslin, professionally pleated with green and white ric-rac and black braid. I am confident that this is an older professionally made skirt, but without the top, I cannot identify the maker. Sarah teamed it with an off-the shoulder peasant blouse with matching ric-rac. ***
One of my most unusual finds, Binks models a two-piece cotton raincloth dress by, of all things, J. C. PENNEY! I think in the 1950s, along with Davey crockett hats and "Cowboys and Indians" attire for kids, the "Patio " styles of the Southwest got some national attention. I believe this dress was a large girl's size because of the short blouse and the adorable heart-pattern braid. It is not a full cirlce skirt and features tiny black and white ric-rac and braid. Because of the novelty ***
Binks demonstrates one of the more casual ways these tops can be worn--with jeans and shorts.
A bit of a mish-mash outfit--an ombre dyed skirt with sequins, a brown off-the-shoulder peasant top, juraches, and a most glorious sequined sombrero by Pigalle. (In the springtime)
Rachel goes full Oaxacan!-- with this beautiful satin embroidered huipil and a matching cotton embroidered pica skirt with shawl--all topped with the city of Oaxaca's famous marigold corona!
A side view demonstrating that this particular huipil has been left open and unstitched on the sides.
HER FUTURE'S SO BRIGHT, SHE HAS TO WEAR SHADES! Sisi dazzles in this handmade multicolored skirt and bright orange off-the-shoulder peasant top teamed with gold jewelry and belt and phenomenal shades!
Again in springtime, a barefool Diana models a pale blue skirt in sheer fabric teamed with a peasant blouse. The turquoise, white, pink and silver ric-rac and braid make me wonder at what glorios top this skirt must of had!** (Photo by Giancarlo DiPalma)
And you thought Seinfeld's Elaine was the only one to wear an obvious undergarment in public! Fashion forward, Jenny models the Manuel embroidered jacket from her collection with tights and an obvious bra in the deep set windows of The Inn of the Governors. (Below, a back view of the jacket in the Del Charro entry)
Baby Binks models a pale yellow "Desert Flower Originals, Albuquerque" two-piece cotton raincloth dress with embelished front plackards and gold and silver ric-rac and braiding These dresses were designed to be worn so that the colorful waistbands were on view like this, but most Santa Fe girls want to show off their silver and brass belts. Bianca is wearing it with a Dolce and Gabana gold necklace and a silver corona. ***
Early morning and already at the Saloon door, I am modeling a hostess dress of light cotton with painted floral motiffs by "Flying Tomato" with my super-duper Pigalle sombrero.
Sarah in a dress that is dear to my heart--a "Faye Creations, Patio Fashions, Tucson, Arizona" dress from the 1960s that is the type of dress that my girlfriends and I wore when we were teenagers on the Plaza at Fiestatime. This shorter length two-piece cotton raincloth dress has white and sliver ric-rac and braid. As I have staed many times before: a great deal of fun can be had in a dress just such as this......
Spanish Market attire: A peasant skirt with a lace edging by "Slava" with a square neck tomato red top that was a gift from my friend Maria Montez-Skolnik and silver Mexican jewelry. Because of the flames on the skirt, this might be just the ticket for Zozobra viewing!
Another beauty--on a beauty! This is a hand-painted Mexican skirt by "Monica". Because it is printed on a very light , low wale cordory, I think it will be perfect to wear to this year's Fiesta street dances with this lovely satin ruched top. Both should be plenty warm if the evening is affected by those first early fall breezes. The top will be a little longer on me because I am too old to have my tummy seen in public! Topped with a Pigalle sombrero.
FABULOSO! Jenny strikes a pose in a newer style Saltillo print two-piece dress by "Vintage Collection". The term "Saltillo" refers to a City in Mexico that is famous for it's artistic serape designers and weavers.
An example of just such a Saltillo serape.
A handpaintd Mexican postcard skirt by Paul M. Rapp teamed with an off-the-shoulder lace peasant blouse. (Waymundo)
The back of the skirt depicts the massive Cathedral, and is worn with a rose and a "Sunbody, Houston" charro hat with a beaded leather band, The hat is also stamped "Hecho en Mexico".
Banquita in a Fiesta style long hostess dress. This medium cotton one-piece dress with a dropped waist is festooned with red , gold and black tiny ric-rac. She wears it with a heavy silver belt and a colorful corona. Never having seen another dress designed in this manner: ****
Wendy has totally mastered the "Come Hither" look, down by the riverside. In her winsome pose she sports a fantastically colorful "TravelSmith" ribbon skirt and an exquisite black lace peasant top. The flirtatious Spanish fan is the "cherry on top"!
On a very special occasion. I am modeling Flamenco wear from Sevilla with my darling granddaughter Renata at the Santa Fe Opera presentation of CARMEN! Most of my flamenco wear was modeled in last year's addendum with the exception of the Photo Rose top by Roja. And Renata's dress is from the Chavez Collection that will be posted later in the fall., but the item that creates the greatest fascination is my gaucho hat! I found this "Eric Javits, New York" hat at an estate sale with a $598.00 store price tag on it. I at first thought it might be in pesos or pesetas to be such an astronomical a price, but the woman running the sale assured me that her mother bought the hat at Saks Fifth Avenue for that price in American dollars and that it was going to be marked $50 for the sale. Since it was the last day of the sale, I got the hat for $25. Astonished about the original price, I found some illuminating, albeit GRUESOME, information on the label: "100% dyed milled rabbit". Poor bunny!
Sisi ,on the porch of the Hotel St. Francis, makes a great showing of a rather plain outfit. She is wearing a handmade lace cotton long skirt with a handmade medium weight cotton blousen style peasant blouse aided by some pretty spectacular Mexican filegree jewelry.
A very classic handmade two-piece cotton raincloth dress from Sarah's Collection makes a classy showing in downtown Santa Fe. Although this dress with silver and white ric-rac and braid does not have a full circle skirt, it is so professionally crafted I am amazed by the lack of a makers's tag. A classic dress!****
A few years ago when our Fiesta dresses appeared on television for the pre-Zozobra Show, I was approached by a friend from whom I bought several very old dresses. She also showed me her mother's old Mexican velvet Fiesta skirt that she could not part with for sentimental reasons. Well, as fate would have it, I found the identical skirt at the Alameda Antique Flea Market that is held once a month on Alameda Island that is close to where I visit my daughter in Oakland! This hand painted beauty is modeled in springtime with a satin ruched peasant blouse, gold jewelry, little short black booties and a Pigalle sombrero. A treasure! (Photo by Giano)
Guess who is becoming the most adorable of models? Renata models a homemade light blue cotton one-piece dress with white ric-rac and silver braid and a full circle skirt. Renata's mother, Bianca, bought this dress long before she was a mother and it has been waiting for just the right moment and the ever-so-right model! Another treasure!!*****
Little Yonie (Leona) was not feeling her best when they were here, but even through the tears the beauty of her mexican ribbon dress, corona, and Santo Domingo shell jewelry shine through.
A VERY SPECIAL CHRISTMAS GIFT! This hand painted, heavy cotton, "Carinona" skirt is modeled in springtime Taos with a "White House/Black Market" gold top and a "Millard Filmore" felt jacket bolero from San Francisco. (Waymundo)
Those adoreable Woo girls (and the horse they rode in on) close out this year's presentation of newly acquired Fiesta Clothes. These embroidered dresses from Mexico were selected by the girls at a market in Santa Fe.
A few light-hearted moments from a year of posing with fancy dresses.....
The start of a new year--Hip, hip, HOORAY!
Kik attempting her own "Aunt Belle Shot".
Aunt Belle with HER own "Aunt Belle Shot" by Robert Martin in the 1940s
Little Renata studying the modeling preparations of all the "big girls"....
Renata saw me take a photo of one of the models near a tree, here she tries to demonstrate to Yonie how to commune with the tree....
Yonie's tree hugger shot!
Attempting to "age" a shot inside La Fonda.....
A little "R & R" between photos....
Bianca grows another appendage between shots....
A trio of friends....
Waiting for the establishment to open.....
The Collins Cousins demonstrate that "Fiesta" can be a verb......
"Femme Pensive"
Her own little nicho....
Railings and crosses, Hotel St. Francis
Sometimes movie stars show up for our photoshoots......
Nice shot of the hat......
But it's hiding one of the prettiest faces in town.....
Well done product placement....
Waiting their turn....
