tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post5024114567148310391..comments2024-03-14T16:03:32.434-04:00Comments on Gertie's New Blog for Better Sewing: Inspiration: Maya de MexicoGertiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04314542159287533507noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-78973944070229014832015-12-09T14:05:52.275-05:002015-12-09T14:05:52.275-05:00My Father owned 2 Maya de Mexico Ladies Dress Shop...My Father owned 2 Maya de Mexico Ladies Dress Shops in the 50's. One on Ventura Boulevard in Sherman Oaks, California and the other in Palm Springs California on Palm Canyon Drive. I remember the beautiful hand painted "full skirts" that were the most popular items in the store, very fashionable, at the time, and relatively expensive.dldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02920037182451440558noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-72354758690661644152014-06-04T20:35:52.892-04:002014-06-04T20:35:52.892-04:00My grandmother Trancito lived in Nogales, Arizona,...My grandmother Trancito lived in Nogales, Arizona, and during my childhood up through my early twenties (30 years ago), my mother and aunt Rosalva would take my sister mom and I with her shopping across the border into Nogales, Sonora, and there two blocks away was a Maya de Mexico store. I assume there was a chain of them in Mexico. They had beautiful handmade and embroidered gowns shirts blouses etc for men and women. I still have a very heavy embroidered turquoise satin top and full skirt with an accompanying white lace starched headdress. Very beautiful store that was always so magical to me! I have good memories visiting there dozens of times.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11294503530527662635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-16940467602593036372011-07-22T21:42:06.252-04:002011-07-22T21:42:06.252-04:00Maybe if they WERE cute little Mexican costumes, o...Maybe if they WERE cute little Mexican costumes, or bright, garish caricatures of Mexican culture, I would be more inclined to consider political connotations associated with them. As it is, they are more an example of dissemination of their culture and art, minus the matador one, which is not even a caricature, but a representation of a fact of life in Mexico. There is no wink wink nudge nudge irony, no Mexican equivalent to blackface, no degradation of the original art forms that inspired them, no profiting by outside corporations or individuals just out to make a buck off the culture of another people...they are outfits in an attractive form, representing the culture and beautiful workmanship of the people the buyers had just come all the way to visit; and to be worn and appreciated by others outside of the traditional peoples who create them. There is a difference between wearing something inspired by the beauty you had seen while visiting a place outside of your normal culture, and slapping on a sombrero with neon pompoms dangling from the brim to say yeah, I went to Mexico, look at the crap they got there. One is "responsible", ie, does not further stereotypes and fosters a wider audience to the beauty of another culture; the other is crass, tasteless, and goes far to engender distaste at the thought of it. Lumping the two together, and assigning the same lack of thought and shallow motives to both of them is unfair, imo. <br /><br />Leaving aside blatant disrespect, mockery, ignorance, etc, the idea that it is culturally insensitive to honor an aspect you love about another culture by wearing a piece of it's beauty, is almost ludicrous to me.<br /><br />This is all completely leaving aside that American culture as we know it today would not exist without melding every and all cultures that sit within it, and that firmly includes the Mexican culture. We have no individual identity. We are every and all cultures, combined to make our one American one. And I, for one, think that is completely awesome.muralimanoharhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14422995764649985209noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-89356257875951633122011-07-21T16:17:53.169-04:002011-07-21T16:17:53.169-04:00I think saying "its stupid to put politics in...I think saying "its stupid to put politics into a dress bought on holiday" is part of what makes this kind of thing a problem. Most westerners don't even see or acknowledge the inherent problem with cultural appropriation or "appreciation" as some like to call it. Sure, none of us want to be made to feel guilty about "borrowing" or "being inspired" by fashion or art from other cultures, but we have to strive to be RESPONSIBLE about it. The comparison to French couture is an interesting one. I'd invite you to ponder the difference between what you think couture designers in France are paid for their designs and what you think the makers of items like this are paid. not to mention the bright, garish caricatures of Mexican culture emblazoned on the fabrics of these dresses which does nothing but perpetuate stereotypes and minimize the cultural significance for the actual members of the culture at hand. Is French couture mocking or exaggerating French culture? Not to mention the complete difference between a dominant imperialist culture, France, and a marginalized and oppressed country like Mexico. Just because it's "artsy" and "looks cool" doesn't make it okay. sometimes clothing IS politically charged, and ignoring that it incredibly irresponsible and ignorant. It IS possible to "support" or "appreciate" Mexican culture and art without putting on your cute little Mexican countryside costume.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-73725247378655248142011-07-21T13:54:36.663-04:002011-07-21T13:54:36.663-04:00The garments you've featured are lovely, but I...The garments you've featured are lovely, but I think it would add more to the discussion of cultural appropriation if you showed some of the plainer designs/fabrics. My take is that we all are influenced by cultural elements that speak to us, and when mixed with a western or modern shape it can be good. I don't particularly like things that are purportedly 'authentic' but are, in fact, mass-produced far from the culture in question and with no benefit to them.<br /><br />My uncle did an exchange program in Mexico in the 50's and brought back several pieces of jewelry for my grandma which I have the pleasure to own now, as well as a skirt for my mom. The skirt was a wrap skirt originally, with a hand-painted border of Mexican-style stucco buildings - a cityscape, if you will. It's a natural colored cotton, not terribly heavy, and unlined. I'm not sure if it was meant for the tourist trade or not, nor the manufacturer as the tag is missing.<br />In the 70's my mom refashioned it as a poncho and wore it as a convenient nursing cover-up. After that it hung in the front closet and I always wished it were a skirt. Finally in college I got up the courage to make it back into a skirt, though the shape wasn't the best since my mom had already cut and sewed it. It ended up being as close to a circle skirt as I could get, with the addition of a waistband and a side zipper. With a black knit boat-neck shirt and a wide belt, it definitely had a retro look. I still have the skirt and hopefully I'll get back into it someday.Jenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11447949592701882774noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-41666265845171449702011-07-21T08:33:33.102-04:002011-07-21T08:33:33.102-04:00These are beautiful pieces but, as some others hav...These are beautiful pieces but, as some others have pointed out, I think when buying or wearing these kinds of garments a person needs to have an understanding of the culture from which the item came. There needs to be more of a connection than just, 'oooh, this looks pretty!' <br /><br />In particular there needs to be respect for the people of that particular culture. When these things are consumed with no understanding or regard for the people who made them, particularly in a society where people from that culture might be marginalised or experience racism, it can feel to minorities that the people of the dominant culture are saying to them, 'we like your culture, and the beautiful things you make, but we don't like you. So we're going to take these and we don't care what happens to you'. It can be very alienating.<br /><br />I think that this still applies when the people of that culture are producing and profiting from Western consumption. The uneven power relationship means such transactions still need to be approached with cultural sensitivity.<br /><br />Obviously, it can be done and when done well I think the exchange can enrich both cultures.<br /><br />p.s. I can't wait for your book!Mayanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-56620665380816055632011-07-21T06:08:34.021-04:002011-07-21T06:08:34.021-04:00The black/gold 2 piece dress is absolutely stunnin...The black/gold 2 piece dress is absolutely stunning! It's funny how back then that was a souvenir and these days it would be a postcard.<br /><br />I don't think there is anything political or not politically correct about these items, its stupid to put politics into a dress bought on holiday.<br /><br />http://www.houseofslater.comalexhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07909655987642749161noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-90075997276707073682011-07-21T05:52:25.397-04:002011-07-21T05:52:25.397-04:00All of them are gorgeous!All of them are gorgeous!Debbie Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02355860274614350342noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-45715420284998895212011-07-21T03:09:37.248-04:002011-07-21T03:09:37.248-04:00I was not aware of this style, so for me it has no...I was not aware of this style, so for me it has no connotations with tourist fashion :-) I loved the golden two piece one - looks like a beautiful bodice with a great skirt to match. How does the skirt stand up like that?<br /><br />Gertie can I just use this comment to tell you that I salute you for your amazing work? I am waiting impatiently for your book (can we pre-order it?) and for any future sew-alongs, recommendations, tutorials and courses you might be releasing! You are so talented, as a writer, a video presenter, a seamstress and a teacher, and you've affected my sewing greatly. All the best from Israel! xoxoKeren Duchanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05714455369141947796noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-47143723400926530532011-07-20T22:47:26.448-04:002011-07-20T22:47:26.448-04:00That two-piece is a stunner! I don't care who...That two-piece is a stunner! I don't care who made the lovely dress. Companies the world over try to make popular products (so they sell, right?) at the lowest possible cost. I don't care what color somebody is and they should be able to wear any dang thing they think is pretty. Fashion is difficult enough without attempted to infuse it with "politically correct thought". Is the spirit behind this garment ideologically pure? Frankly, my dear, I don't give a d*mn.Solangehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11602452519397717693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-74701680843622191832011-07-20T22:12:03.213-04:002011-07-20T22:12:03.213-04:00the Maya de Mexico was a very high quality manufac...the Maya de Mexico was a very high quality manufacture of not only clothing but shoes,purses and belts, this was not only for tourists many high society mexican lady's wore them, they were high price back in the 50-60's they are unique and very well made your pics are testimony of their beauty and durability, exploitation I never seen them like that, my mom used to have several skirts and shirts that were hand painted and hand embroider.<br /><br />It's a shame that now you can't find that same quality of clothing.The VIntage Mexican Seamstresshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14549623388799455138noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-78155582058167420402011-07-20T20:53:41.712-04:002011-07-20T20:53:41.712-04:00i'm making some. they're absolutely gorgeo...i'm making some. they're absolutely gorgeous, and i love the idea of handpainting & embellishing a border.<br />i'm sick of studying, and thus will not be delving into any sociopolitical ramifications at the moment. *ooooh, pretty things!*k.vernay.https://www.blogger.com/profile/01615502465559124907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-6591416453176106612011-07-20T19:44:18.706-04:002011-07-20T19:44:18.706-04:00Pretty clothes. Grad school profs need to get the ...Pretty clothes. Grad school profs need to get the sticks out of their butts. That's right, I said it.dawn snoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-60048872136115114972011-07-20T19:02:43.669-04:002011-07-20T19:02:43.669-04:00I bought a hand-painted Mexican circle skirt when ...I bought a hand-painted Mexican circle skirt when I lived in London (the vintage shop in Alfie's Antique Mall had loads. Mine was on sale, but they are generally not cheap). I loved the colours on it and the fact that the waist is somewhat like a wrap dress. If you gain or lose a few pounds it will still fit.<br /><br />As far as 'cultural appropriation'...I guess I didn't think of it that way. I think of it more as cultural appreciation. <br /><br />I love your blog, by the way. xKrista Jeannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-38019402358998096432011-07-20T18:44:50.161-04:002011-07-20T18:44:50.161-04:00I love all of the garments you chose, particularly...I love all of the garments you chose, particularly the toreador skirt! Oh, what I wouldn't do to have that in my closet! As someone who is a quarter-Mexican and was regularly gifted embroidered peasant blouses and dresses by my fully Mexican family growing up, I don't really have a problem with this phenomenon. In recent years I've purchased embroidered tops for myself at local museums during Mayan and Frida Kahlo exhibits. I see it as Mexican people sharing a part of their heritage and tradition that they are extremely proud of in a manner that is appeasing to another culture. Now, if you told me that they weren't made by Mexican hands in Mexico or labor exploitation was going on, I'd have a huge problem.aechttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17393750184966172685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-77499484637390517112011-07-20T18:24:32.628-04:002011-07-20T18:24:32.628-04:00It's ironic that no one mentions cultural appr...It's ironic that no one mentions cultural appropriation when Americans go to France and buy couture ;-). I think the clothes pictured are universally lovely, and treasuring them honors the culture that produced them. On the other hand, the bales of cut up kimonos, intended for crafts, tend to make me weep.Valeriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01895625114035965626noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-45556932788808643932011-07-20T18:20:56.149-04:002011-07-20T18:20:56.149-04:00I must be simple minded, but I don't understan...I must be simple minded, but I don't understand why it would be not PC to wear these gorgeous garments! That black and gold two piece is fabulous! If only I could find something like this to wear. I think my mother had a similar skirt. I don't know if it is still at her house. I remember it being black gold and white, but I thought it was a wrap style. They are simply beautiful, feminine outfits.<br /><br />Judyjudy samplesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-72607633724812999462011-07-20T17:00:06.443-04:002011-07-20T17:00:06.443-04:00I'm about as white-bread and ethnicity-challen...I'm about as white-bread and ethnicity-challenged as one can get, and as such I have trouble sensing what might or might not be inappropriate or even offensive to other cultures. <br /><br />Things like weapons or war memorabilia that represent a past cultural tragedy, or repurposed religious objects, or images that are clearly insulting caricatures of a culture, seem like clear-cut cases of offensiveness. <br /><br />But with certain forms of art, including fashion, I guess it would be best to inquire of someone who comes from that culture. I remember some sort of a controversy during the Olympics about use of Aboriginal cultural symbols - symbols which were designed and selected with the intent of honoring, not offending, the First Nations. Just another reminder that it should be the offendEE, not the offender, who makes the determination. <br /><br />It's funny because I would probably think to ask a Japanese friend whether it was questionable for me to wear a kimono, but I might not think to ask a Mexican friend about one of these lovely tourist dresses. Maybe living in the Southwest for so many years has made me less sensitive to other cultures. Something for me to think about!Katrina Blanchallehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03300264690284771712noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-14645295481930770932011-07-20T14:41:36.969-04:002011-07-20T14:41:36.969-04:00OH, my goodness, these are fabulous - especially t...OH, my goodness, these are fabulous - especially the second example. I've never seen anything like them. I'd LOVE to own something like that - or better yet, to make something like it. Looks like it would take about a year!<br /><br />I don't think that these garments are politically incorrect at all!Paulahttp://www.learnhowtosewnow.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-3913587211985786052011-07-20T14:30:17.585-04:002011-07-20T14:30:17.585-04:00Well I like the idea of buying a souveniere that c...Well I like the idea of buying a souveniere that can be worn. And I think that american's are especially interested in other cultures art etc and it seems ok to me to sort of use that. I mean we don't get upset when we see souvenire pieces from florida with oranges on them.Jessiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01553119193374658520noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-45243559715455814332011-07-20T14:18:07.633-04:002011-07-20T14:18:07.633-04:00I love the lines of these garments. They look like...I love the lines of these garments. They look like they were designed with the American market in mind, as the style points match up to the trends of the time. As to cultural appropriation-- there are good points and bad I suppose. Take the example of the Cowichan sweaters. When knitted by the Salish people in the traditional style and using the traditional methods and motifs, they were sold for a fair price to tourists and provided income for the native people while sustaining their traditions. When the American manufacturers took the ideas and started making machine-knitted knock offs to sell for cheap, the original knitters were sold out and suffered the loss of their income as well as the traditions associated with the sweaters. They ceased to be an honorific of the culture and instead were an appropriation. So if the sale and production of culturally significant items for sale to tourists benefits the root culture, then I think it's awesome. When we choose instead to purchase cheap knock-offs inspired by that culture without a benefit to that root culture, it's not good.Jennhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10517649568887540126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-48109063456265899282011-07-20T14:08:22.739-04:002011-07-20T14:08:22.739-04:00My parents travelled to Mexico several times in th...My parents travelled to Mexico several times in the 50s (the University of Miami had a summer program there, and my father taught several courses). They had some clothes made--shirts and skirts, very simple things, nothing as dramatic as these. I wore some of those clothes in the 70s...now they're long-gone, but I still have the buttons!<br /><br />I'm all for buying things that are hand-made in the actual country. Made in China? Not so much.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-23592985450508538352011-07-20T13:16:08.505-04:002011-07-20T13:16:08.505-04:00Oh! I LOVE all those garments. Nowdays they don...Oh! I LOVE all those garments. Nowdays they don't do them anymore, those were done in the 50's, I searched in google about a skirt I own (it is my mom's actualy) but this fabric doesn't exist anymore.<br /> Of course they were hand painted and till now days people who do it are payed very very low. <br />Our mexican "artesanos" are great! they do great things including clothes.<br />Here I leave you a link to one post were I am wearing one of those skirts. <br /><br />http://lizzyinlovewithvintage.blogspot.com/2009/10/falda-circular-de-los-50s.htmlLizzyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03763098864024098404noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-17328090565133982322011-07-20T12:29:26.419-04:002011-07-20T12:29:26.419-04:00I'm a native San Diegan, and I grew up visitin...I'm a native San Diegan, and I grew up visiting Tijuana regularly. As long as I can remember, I've always had the traditional embroidered cotton peasant tops and dresses from TJ. My Mom and I purchased all the tiles and lots of beautiful decor for her new house in either Tijuana or Tecate. We feel like we're honoring the craftsmen of Mexico and supporting their business. To me it's a very special part of living in Southern California.Shanniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01182299521225765221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-1319759560199525812011-07-20T12:24:48.296-04:002011-07-20T12:24:48.296-04:00As we become a more global people, items like thes...As we become a more global people, items like these will be valued for their authenticity and beauty. I travel in the southwest every year, and it is disheartening to see the drek being offered to tourists. These clothes are works of art.Maryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03517527498809073174noreply@blogger.com