Years ago, we were living in the throw-back little town of Ajo, Arizona. (Why we were living there is definitely a story for another day.) Anyhow, we had a “big city” event to attend…and of course, I had nothing to wear!
Where to go shopping in Ajo? There was the Ajo Thrift Store, and so I searched. In a dank, dark and musty corner I found a pair of drapes and a valance. With a bit of work it just could become something nearly perfect!
I called it my Scarlett O’Hara dress. You remember the scene in Gone with the Wind? When she dons a gown made from heavy draperies in a scene where she is attempting to fool Rhett Butler that she was still wealthy.
So, I brought home my draperies, cut off the pleats and hooks, trimmed the hems and washed this fantastic fabric so as to re-invent it as a dress. I even was able to re-use the trim from the valance and added a tassel (just to be sure and keep that Scarlett O’Hara feeling.)
Over the years, I wore the dress to several events. Of course, there was always that lingering worry that I may have left the curtain rod attached!…I am sure you can just picture in your mind the classic Carol Burnett parody, entitled “Went with the Wind” where Carol Burnett (as Scarlett) descends the staircase in her handmade dress – complete with curtain rod – saying, “I saw it in the window and just couldn’t resist it.”
Although I have been sewing since I was 6, this was really the beginning of my addiction for the art of Re-Creating Fashion through recycling clothing items for a second, renewed life!
In 2012, I was invited to show a collection of Re-Created Flamenco styles in Tucson, Arizona at the Flamenco Festival. I presented a variety of flamenco inspired outfits, each of which was “re-Cycled” from several other clothing items which I had found at thrift stores, yard sales or in my closet.
Returning to Peñasco, I was really energized to produce a small Fashion show here. I invited Casa Turquesa to be involved and we had our first Fall Fashion Fiesta in November of 2012, hosted at Wrecked at the Reef. I was unsure of the response, so it was unbelievably exciting to have literally hundreds in the audience! This fall marks the third Annual Fall Fashion Fiesta with a continued emphasis on recycling, re-using and repurposing.
For 2014, the Fashion Show will feature several local designers. I hope you will join us at 1:00 on Monday, November 3rd at the Caribbean Parrot!
Details at: www.mexiconaomi.blogspot.com or Fall Fashion Fiesta (on Facebook).
