FASHION REDUX 2024

Cross-Border Flows

The San Diego History Center and Mesa College’s Fashion Program celebrate a 13-year collaboration for Fashion Redux 2024.

This year’s exhibit is based on the idea that San Diego’s geographical location has fostered a unique cultural exchange seen through a variety of examples from the History Center’s Historic Textile Collection. Also considered is the long and storied historic legacy of Spain and Mexico in the region.

Five garments that represented the Colonial Legacy and Cross-Cultural Exchange were chosen from the History Center’s vast historic textile collection. Mesa College fashion students then had an up-close examination of the construction and detailing of each garment in the research archives, using them as inspiration for designing their garments. Four student garments were chosen and exhibited alongside the five historic inspiration garments.

San Diego History Center’s Historic Textile Collection

Blue Ballet Folklórico Dress with yellow and red trim, c. 1990

Designer:

Teresa Evangelina Maldonado-Perez (Mexican, 1929-2012)

Knee-length dress in vibrant blue, adorned with yellow and red trim. Boat neck extended padded shoulders. The draped front gathers into a twisted knot at the left.

Gift of Dora A. Gurrola and Doralicia Gurrola in Memory of Teresa Evangelina Maldonado-Perez, SDHC 2023.50.1

Wedding Dress and Veil with eyelet and lace details, removable train, c. 1974

Designer:

Teresa Evangelina Maldonado Perez (Mexican, 1929-2012)

Knee-length dress adorned with eyelet and lace details, featuring a removable train for added versatility.

Gift of Alma and Roberto Sánchez, SDHC 2023.51a-c

Two-piece silk and lace embroidered terno, Yucatan, Mexico, c. 1965

Designer:

Mestiza Yucatecas (Spanish and Mayan heritage)

Knee-length dress adorned with intricate silk and lace embroidery, symbolizing the fusion of European elegance and indigenous craftsmanship. Reflecting the tradition of Yucatan, Mexico, this terno comprises a jubón yoke, a huipil shift dress, and a fustán underskirt.

Gift of Frederick P. "Pat" Crowell, SDHC 2011.39

Don Diego Ensemble, inspired by traditional Mexican charro costumes, c. 1950

Designer:

Tommy Hernandez (Spanish, 1915-1984)

Green gabardine Mexican bolero-style jacket with appliqued gold suede patterns, paired with matching pants, yellow cotton-blend shirt, leather belt, boots, and large sombrero made of brown felted cardboard.

Gift of Joseph Hernández, SDHC 85.59.1a-g

Don Diego Ensemble, inspired by traditional Spanish Flamenco costumes, c. 1950

Designer:

Tommy Hernandez (Spanish, 1915-1984)

Two-piece wool ensemble featuring a gray pinstriped Spanish flamenco style jacket with wide lapels and a black velvet collar matched with a coordinating vest and pants. Accompanied by a white cotton-blend shirt with ruffles, a magenta rayon scarf, and black leather boots.

Gift of Joseph Hernández, SDHC 85.59.2a-f