CAPSHAW COLLECTION IV--fiesta dresses, squaw dresses,folkwear and featuring Spanish Shawl dresses......

 It's that time of year again to update the Capshaw Collection of Fiesta attire with the new purchases for 2014.  Hopefully, you will see something that may inspire your own choices for the upcoming Fiesta de Santa Fe.  You may follow the links at the bottom the this post to see the Collection in it's entirety.  Hopefully, I will be posting Sisi's new additions to THE CHAVEZ COLLECTION next week.....

 This is a homemade satin China Poblana skirt that is quite lovely, but very tiny in the waist--perhaps made for a child.  Bianca, with her small waist was the only one who could model it......

 Sisi models a Sala Prat Creations cotton skirt with hand painted designs and lots of sequins.  it was "Hecho en Mexico".

 This skirt entered my collection via a trade with Sylvia. (so you might see it on one of her previous postings). It is a cotton Maya de Mexico creation with metallic silver, copper and gold hand painting........

 At Christmas time, Bianca donned this highly sequined velvet skirt and blouse from Mexico for a party.....

 For Cinco de Mayo, I wore the same top with a somewhat longer (and more age-appropriate, for me) skirt featuring the eagle on a cactus with a snake in it's mouth that is symbolic of Mexico.  Again, all velvet and all Mexican.....

 For the Baile de los Cascarones this spring I wore this magnificent velvet and sequined skirt that I bought on E-bay from a kind woman in San Antonio who added a brand new waistband for me at no charge to replace a worn waistband and for a better fit.  The matching blouse (with matching blossoms--not very clearly visible due to the shine) I got on Ebay from Australia.  Despite all that globe trotting, the entire outfit was "hecho en Mexico".....

 Now for the true Fiesta Squaw dresses:  This homemade cotton beauty has a black ground with lots of brown, gold and green ric-rac and brown, red and green braid. (Only the squaw dresses are rated)  Rating ***

 This adorable bi-tone cotton pleated skirt is paired with a ruffled raincloth blouse and an impish pose by Rachel.  Rating:**

 Although not very colorful, this white squaw dress has all the classic 50s touches, from the tailored fit, boater neckline and very sophisticated mid-century patterned braid.  By Fiesta Fashions of Palm Springs, this raincloth two-piece dress has silver and black braid and ric-rac.  Rating: ****

 Bianca models a bright yellow street length cotton and cotton lace sheath dress from Mexico....

 This bi-tone cotton squaw dress has some lovely black, gold and silver trim and ric-rac.  This homemade design also has placards from the Thunderbird trim on the black portion along the neck opening. ***

 Our lovely model, Toesette, gets photo bombed in this raincloth two piece squaw dress with beige, gold and seafoam ric-rac.

 Although this home-made squaw dress does not have the requisite full-circle skirt, it is only thanks to the whimsy of this gold bead and pearl crown on the back placard that it receives a rating of **

 In contrast, this intricately pleated raincloth bitone squaw dress by Marga Originals of Phoenix has all the bells and whistles.  It has a unique design and lovely silver and white ric-rac and braid.  Full ***** rating.....

 As previously mentioned, my girls prefer to wear the two piece squaw dress as skirts with divergent tops.  At Christmas, Chiara matched this cotton Desert Flower Original from Albuquerque, NM with a long sleeved black top and black tights and boots.......

But this dress does also have a matching top.  I have this pattern in a pink color as well, but I prefer this dress because this top is more versatile as it has a full zipper in front and it can even be worn as a lightweight jacket.  I met Robert Redford in the spice aisle of Albertsons on my way to model this dress, and he commented"  "Now, THAT'S an outstanding dress!". For the loveliness of the scads of ric-rac, rating:****

Although I wore this dress last Fiesta, I guess I got it too late to make it into last year's Collection Addendum.  This is the pink dress mentioned in the posting above.  It is the same Desert Flower Original pattern as the red one only the configuration of the ric-rac is different and the top is sewn closed.  The plain front of the dress is what compelled me to adopt the crazy shiny shawl thingie.  Rating:****

 Rachel models a bi-tone home-made cotton one-piece squaw dress with a full circle skirt.  Like most one-piece dresses, the waistline on this dress is problematic.  She disguises the short waistedness of the dress by using a wide woven sash in colors to match the green, black, orange and pink tiny ric-rac.  Due to flaws, rating of **

This is another one piece homemade squaw Dress.  This one, however is not so short waisted.  It is plentifully decorated with red, black, white and gold ric-rac.  Very comfortable fit. Rating:  ****

 You may also recognize this navy blue and silver raincloth squaw dress from the Chavez Collection.  In the off-season owner's trading sessions, I acquired it--she had two identical dresses!  Rating:  ***

 Yet another photo bomber of our super star models, here Sisi models a very unusual cotton full-circle skirt from Mexico with hand painted shading and rows and rows or undulating bands of silver sequins.  It is topped with a cotton black top--also with silver sequins......

 Both Sisi and I have other versions of this Jeanette Original of Albuquerque pattern in various colors.  This lovely tri-tone cotton two-piece squaw dress features elaborate pleating and lots of gorgeous gold, black and turquoise ric-rac and braiding.  This dress is special, however, because it also has.....

 The original matching sash belt with the perfectly preserved hand-made matching braid tassels.  A superior dress--full rating *****.

Another wheeler-dealer trade with Sisi--my very favorite beatnik gold trim top.  I love this!!

 A very gorgeous squaw skirt with silver and white ric-rac and braid covering the entire skirt! Bianca teamed it with a turquoise bustier top.  A really special skirt! ***

 This light-weight cotton skirt with gold trim also does not have a top, I matched it with a white woven top with gold embroidery and a little gold jacket.  This squaw dress is shown with a crinoline underneath.  Rating:  **

 In keeping with the decision to replicate a 1920s Zozobra this year, and the request that his fans dress in 20s style, I am using the old 1920s Fiesta shot to introduce a very special finale for the 2014 collection:  Spanish Shawl Dresses.............

 This is a golden cream burned-out velvet dress with draping Spanish shawls and beading and tassels.  It is worn with an elaborate creme French celluloid comb......

 This shot shows the large size and stylish design of the comb.....

 Rachel models a chiffon and satin shawl draped dress by Alex Evenings with a separate matching shawl with crystal beading and a Spanish pineta comb in white.

 Sisi vamps it up in an embroidered crepe chiffon dress by A.B. Lambdin and a matching satin embroidered shawl. She is also wearing a Spanish tortoise comb.....

 Yet another beauty, Toesette and her trusty hound Eileen pose.  The dress is a double drape Spanish shawl of burned out velvet and a coordinating burned out detached shawl with beading and a peacock design. A Tortoise comb completes the ensemble.........

To close out this section, a vibrant Lyndia Procanik Evening dress with elaborate beading on the burned out velvet fabric--teamed with a Mexican net shawl.

 Detail of the very tall and very elaborate family heirloom comb given me by my cousins last Fiesta.

 As a special addition, this addendum chronicles a group of outfits worn so far this year as a volunteer at El Rancho de Los Golondrinas.  The idea is to attempt to replicate Spanish colonial dress of New Mexico. This first picture is taken in the capilla and I am wearing a black cotton dress over a white cotton chemise and a woven sash belt with silver filigree jewelry and a mantilla and comb.

 On a colder day in the spring, I'm wearing a felt hat with a long sleeved cotton blouse and an embellished full length wool skirt......

 Again in the chapel, a lightweight rebozo over a cotton blouse and skirt and a belt featuring old coins....

 White lace senorita garb for a day "dressing up" children visiting the museum......

 Looking like all the little vejitas of my youth--all in black cotton.............

 Embroidered peasant blouse and dark skirt in the placitas kitchen.....

 Back in the classroom in the 1885 schoolhouse.  Skirt dyed with soil dyes from Abiqu and lace shawl.....

 Enjoying a spot of tea in the "teacher's quarters".........

 VIVA MEXICO WEEKEND garb in the Baca House kitchen.............

 Embroidered velvet skirt and shawl together with a tortoise comb--again in the Baca house....

 Blousen Victorian dress with Spanish comb and Victorian cameo at the altar rail of the capilla....

 Back in the small kitchen--sort of Mexican cowgirl style....

 Well-appointed school marm with satin skirt, Victorian blouse, Straw-art cameo and small Victorian comb.

Unfortunately, I thought I was going to be assigned to the General Store.  Obviously, no self-respecting teacher would wear a bustle to school.

THUS ENDS THIS YEAR'S ENTRIES.  FOR THE 2015 ADDITIONS, FOLLOW THIS LINK TO CAPSHAW COLLECTION 5:

 

http://cieloazulhappenings.blogspot.com/2015/08/the-capshaw-collection-5-fiesta-dresses.html

 LA DOLCE VITA--Santa Fe Style......

In the fruition of summer, it is time to celebrate La Dolce Vita (the sweet life) with a portion of the Core kids.....

 Because of the restrictions for space on the deck, there was unfortunately not enough space for our entire group.....

 The cast of characters:  our host, Dwight....(all the men had placecards with their images set upon various poses of one Mr. Marcello Masteianni).....

 Richie, no doubt on the Italian Riviera.....

 Bobert enjoying his Chianti and spaghetti along with his Italian cigarette--Dwight smoked DIANA brand when we were in Italy....

 Miss Josina is part of the Sophia Loren sorority....

 Along with Annabelle--no doubt holidaying on the Italian Rivera herself.....

 David rocks the Coliseum....

 And Miss Theresa enjoys an afternoon in Venice....

 No doubt Adolfo got that well deserved band-aid pulling off some sexy escapade.....

 Special thanks to Terrie for crushing all those grapes for the many bottles of wine.....

 Julie is part of the Lollobrigida gang that includes....

 Miss Juanita--also sporting another version of Gina in Italian provincial garb.....

 And Diana --our hostess (me)--who's photo demonstrates that Gina Lollobrigida had one spectacular body (and this photo was taken long before the days of photoshop manipulation).....

 We have our Italian chef--Giancarlo Antonio.....

 And Jackie's photo is a story all unto itself......

Finally, the day of the party arrives......

 And Giano is busy cooking bacon for the Spinach Florentine....

 In addition to the spinach, he prepared an antipasto, the garlic bread, and cooked the pasta......

 My contributions were the cold cucumber soup and the spaghetti sauce....and the musical score.....

 Not to mention fancy-dancy table decor.....

 Once we got started, we passed a camera around (this isn't it) so that we could get views of all the guests from various perspectives.....

 Sometimes deep in thought discussing transcendental phenomenology,,,,,,,

 And sometimes splanin' how one starts smoking at age seven and gives it up at age eight.....

 Bobert enjoys a hearty laugh.  By the way, he concocted a Mr. Wizard contraption of styrofoam and hot bricks that kept his root veggie medley smokin' hot all evening.  He also offered some Tomatoes Caprese and several bottles of interesting New Mexico wines as welll.....

 Julie and David brought a lovely platter of Caprese with drizzled dressing and more bottles of vino.......

 This was the stylin' duo of vinegar and oil available for bread dipping.  (Yes, that IS the Roman goddess, Diana atop the bottle of olive oil)......

 The King of All He Surveys, Dwightie enjoys cuddling our little DiCaprio.....

 The effervescent Annabelle made a scrumptious Italian Creme cake......

 David is apparently being attacked by one of the flower arrangements....

 As they were scattered along the table....

 Kindred spirits.....

 Terrie is sporting her Italian cameo necklace and earrings and she and Richie brought a large assortment of cookies from an Italian bakery in Albuquerque....

 Always lovely, Juanita poses for her close-up.  She and Jackie brought bruscetta and delicious Tiramisu (sp?).....

 Some of the candid photos were better than the others--it helps if the photographer is a professional like Bobert--and if the subject is as comely as Miss Julie....

 All dogs love Adolfo!  (Photo by Josina).....

 Josina is enraptured by the conversative skills of Dwightie--he probably is telling her how much he liked her gelato.......

Inspired by the Italian theme of the evening, Annabelle is talking with her hands....

 Femme Pensive--Theresa.....

 Have to hug Annabelle--thanks for your help serving and "dolloping" the cucumber soup......

 Richie--practically "in cognito"......

 A totally recognizable David....

 At evening's end we passed around paper and pen for folks to write down all their worries so that I can stuff them inside Old Man Gloom's skirt at the Cocktail Party for Zozobra later this week......and hopefully all our worries will go up in smoke and we can all have the happiest of Fiestas the next week.....

So, as the summer dwindles down, here is wishing all you Gentle Readers the time to enjoy the joys of good food and good friends and all the wonders of LA DOLCE VITA --Santa Fe Style..................