THE CAPSHAW COLLECTION OF FINE FIESTAWEAR--ADDENDUM 11 (Additions to the collection for the year 2021)
This edition of Fine Fiestawear--including Squaw Dresses, Mexican folk dresses and even a smattering of what I call "Mexitalian dresses"-- is being presented with this cover shot of one of the most magnificent dresses, I have encountered. It will be detailed further down the listing.....(Photo by Waymon Whittemore)
This singleton cotton skirt was forgotten from last year's posting. Bianca teamed it with a gold velour top, gold filigree jewelry and boots..
After we appeared on last year's Zozobra Show on KOAT Channel 7, I had offers of clothing to be donated to or purchased for the collection from several states and from here in town. Zoila models this"Santa Fe Dresses by Elita Wilson" cotton dress with black ric-rac and lace.......
The provenance of this dress is that it once belonged to an illustrious Santa Fe author: Ann Nolan Clark. (Winner of both the Newberry Award as well and the medal for best book of the year from the National Catholic Library Assoc.) Here she is wearing another of her Santa Fe Fiesta Dresses probably in the late 1940s or 1950s..
This is the other blouse that came with the outfit. Sometimes two tops were made--one for daytime and one for evening.
Up close, it is obvious how detailed and intricate the design on the skirt is and that the top features self-covered buttons and embellished sleeves. This dress is rated a full five stars! ***** (only true squaw dresses are rated.)
Also from this local Santa Fe collection is this elegant silk, lace and embroidered huipil and skirt in the Oaxaca fashion. Sylvia is modeling it in the astonishing
Ra Paulette cave near Ojo Caliente.
Outside the cave, I am modeling a "Ganscraft of Old Santa Fe" highly pleated light cotton dress with a contrasting ruffle on the sleeve.
This dress is depicted in the upper left hand corner of the old advertisement from the 1950s for Gans of Old Santa Fe. (I also have three other dresses from this ad in my collection that have been posted in previous years.)
In this shot, I an trying to replicate one of the poses from the Gans ad. If you remember the old Sears catalogs, etc, this pose was quite popular. Apparently having a collar on your shirt was AWESOME in years gone by! For the vintage design, the lovely pleating, the two tops and the sentimentality attached to all Gans dresses, this dress also rates full five stars ***** (Photo by Waymundo)
Come Christmas time, this forest green , two-piece, raincloth, cotton dress adds to the festivities. It is festooned with gold ric-rac and braid and was fashioned by "Faye Creations, Patio Fashions, Tucson, Arizona". I purchased it from a lady from Faywood, NM who has a wonderful collection of fiestawear. Because it lacks any unique creativity, four stars ****.
Jenny models this heavier cotton, two piece squaw dress with white and sliver ric-rc and silver braid. It has a special feature of a ric-raced fifty's style throat scarf. I love the scarf, but because it is not a full-circle skirt, four stars.****
Now this is a honey of a dress from "Bonnie Belle Squaw Dresses" This heavy weight orange corduroy two-piece dress is perfect for winter wear. It features gold and cream ric-rac and braid and I am wearing it with a Charro style hat by John Boulton. Full rating, five stars *****
An introduction to a section featuring Flamenco wear! Ole!
Atop La Fonda, Zoila wears a turquoise polka dot top with a "Monica and Penelope Cruz" skirt.
Same location, Bianca and adorable Miss Leona model Flamenco attire from Sevilla, Espana!
Up close with Leona...it was a bit too cold to remove her under-blouse.
Jenny strikes a pose with her red polka dot top and red-embellished gaucho hat. The tied jacket is also from Sevilla.
Something I have always wanted, an "Ortega's Handwoven, Chimayo, N,M," winter jacket
Design woven on the back.....
A comely Miss Sisi models a couple of garage sale items that end up being just perfect together--both "Hecho en Mexico".
Here is a true "Odd Couple"--a 'Michael Kors" blouse coupled with a gold sequined velvet Mexican skirt and boots. I am wearing a woven straw and leather Mexican sombrero.
More sophisticated wear! Angelica is modeling an "Eci, New York" embroidered street length dress. Just perfect for a young professional to wear to the office and then for a green chile burger on the plaza and cocktails at La Fonda!
In springtime, I am modeling a "Londy of Mexico" handpainted skirt with an embroidered peasant blouse.
Sylvia models an elegant "Roja of Mexico" silk tapestry blouse with an appliqued skirt and intricate gold filigree jewelry.
Also in springtime, I am modeling a handpainted velvet skirt featuring the Aztec Calendar and Mexican street scenes--with a matching top I already owned.
Those Woo girls--and the horse they rode in on....
Renata is the apple of her Daddy's eye in her long cotton peasant skirt embellished with colored ribbons and Mexican embroidered blouse with a Oaxacan corona.
Momma Bianca shines in this two-piece cotton raincloth dress from the Faywood collection that features gold and white ric-rac and gold braid.
And the other top! This dress is so meticulously constructed and designed, I was amazed not to find a professional tag. Because of the two tops--five stars *****
Now...somebody who truly understand how to "fiesta" (verb)! Leona is wearing a multicolored peasant top, a cotton skirt with lace and those fabulous Elmo shoes!
This was my totally splendid birthday gift from the Woo family--a dress made entirely of Gold ric-rac and braid! This full circle skirt is amazingly heavy.
In this view you can see the matching shawl--also constructed entirely of ric-rac and braid and featuring POCKETS! Problem solved on where to keep that lipstick or cold hands on a cool Fiesta evening--FIVE STARS*****!
CALENDAR GIRL! Eme rocks this "Faldas Kent Handpainted" skirt featuring Mayan, Mixtec and Aztec pyramids. A peasant blouse and gold accessories complete the perfect picture!
Spring blossoms compliment a "Handpainted Arte Green, Mexico" skirt worn with gold jewelry, a sombrero and a Chico's jacket.
Eme again in an embroidered and appliqued salsa skirt worn with orange jewelry and a Oaxacan corona.
I bought this one-piece, cotton raincloth dress on Etsy from a woman in England who had it listed as an Egyptian Dress. It has a beautifully full skirt and pleating, but due to the fitting issues presented with one-piece Fiesta dresses--four stars ****
With the Cathedral as a backdrop, Sisi models this gorgeous embroidered shawl. Many Santa Fe women refer to such shawls as "Manilla Shawls" which, due to the strong Spanish influence in the Phillipines, might give a sense of the truer origin of the shawls that made it to New Mexico.
Another one-piece hand made cotton dress with a matching sash--all with white, turquoise, black and gold ric-rac and braid. **** (Photo by Angela Rubino)
Wendy models a highly embroidered silk Mexican huipil with a silk skirt and Oaxcan corona
Closer view of the blouse.
Handmade two-piece squaw dress made with a thick knit material by "Faye Creations, Patio Fashions, Tucson, Arizona", perhaps for winter wear. It is loaded with white, gold and silver ric-rac and braid. (Photo by Marsha Reindorf)
Because so many of the old dresses have such tiny waists, you often find that the waistbands have been removed and replaced with elastic. That was the case with this skirt, but the waistband was preserved and can serve as a headband. ****
A Oaxacan combination: Under a stormy sky, Zoila models a Oaxacan Huipil, shorter lace embroidered skirt, and corona,
What is "Mexitalian"? It is a term I coined to describe the blending of Italian design dresses with the coronas and embroidered shawls of Mexico--all to wear for a Santa Fe Fiesta.....
It started when I was star-struck by a Dolce & Gabbana floral ruffled dress I saw on Pintrest. Unable to afford an original Dolce and Gabbana dress, I purchased this Chinese take off of the original in a silk finish material. Rachel is quite fetching in this dress combined with true Dolce & Gabbana jewelry and a Guadalupe inspired corona and embroidered shawl.
Angelica is wearing an Italian take-off of the same pattern with the original Dolce & Gabbana material. She is wearing a silver belt, lavender corona and woven shawl. Lovely!
This is a version I tried to concoct from combining a couple of patterns by Alterations Etc. I am wearing a wool painted shawl and a black and red corona.
Bianca is wearing an Italian take-off with the original Dolce fabric I saw on Pintrest. She is wearing Italian earrings and a red rose corona and Mexican woven shawl. Leona finds this all very amazing!
In a totally Mexican ensemble--Miss Renata!
And finally, a true Dolce and Gabbana dress I found on a re-sale site worn by Jenny. She is wearing it with a white embroidered shawl, spring mix corona and Italian Fabio Derricci bag. In truth, the quality of the designer original is exceptional--with a lot of the difference being in the impeccable interior construction. Thanks to my nieces and daughter for all the fun with "Mexitalian"!
Now the outstanding dress from the cover photo!--a three piece halter top and pleated skirt constructed entirely of ric-rac and braid (Red, white, silver, gold and black) as well as a jacket shirt embellished front, back and sleeves. This fabulous outfit is all handmade. Photographed on the roof of La Fonda by Waymon Whittemore--Five Stars *****!
Another Manilla shawl worn Oaxacan style by Wendy with a flowing skirt.
Close-up of the magnificent embroidery......
Indian market with a singleton skirt that features red, white and turquoise ric-rac and braid and black applique trim.
Up close with the waistband, Santo Domingo jewelry and top from "Suzette International-- Paris, Santa Fe" that I have kept "alive" for over forty-five years with re-stitching, re-hemming and re-dying......
A cool cotton embroidered Mexican dress that you can wear to Fiesta if you have the legs for it-- like Leona!
A Mexican Sombrero with a Mexican heavy felt handpainted skirt.
Detail on the skirt--a mixture of colors and glitter. DO NOT wear this skirt to any friend's home that has carpet. I suspect that they are still trying to vacuum glitter out of the Bienvenidos Information Booth where I wore it.
Final photo from this year's new additions--this is a singleton cotton raincloth skirt with elaborate zig-zag designs of silver ric-rac and braid. Worn western style in Old Town, Albuquerque. (Photo by Kim Mellor)
Now for a little fun with out-takes and giggles like this charming capture of Bianca and Leona!
Cave girls....
Beauty and the Bathroom--Rachel finds a glamourous backdrop in the La Fonda Ladies' Room......
My oldest daughter, Francesca and her total Fashion effort.....
Something from a fairytale.....
The only "Fiesta goers" at Fiesta time in 2020.....
When it's all over...Renata poses......
Even the most professional model lights up the frame with A SMILE!
Selfies in the Ladies Room
I once saw a photograph of Natalie Wood with a caption that said that the photographer said to "try and look a little sexy" and that Natalie Wood only had trouble with the "little" part--I would have to say the same thing about our captivating Miss Eme.....
Sisters.....
"One of these things is not like the others",,,,,,,,,
Shameless vamping in the La Fonda diningroom (Photo by Waymundo)
Model on the run.....
Many thanks to Ed Pulsifer of La Fonda for allowing us the run of the hotel for many of these photos!
This year again, The Capshaw Collection and The Chavez Collection were featured on the ZOZOBRA: A LEGACY OF FIRE program on KOAT, Albuquerque, Channel 7. This time, we were interviewed by the adorable Breana Albizu. To see the segment, follow this link:
To see Addendum 13- the 2022 additions to the Collection, follow:
