Tropico de Nopal Gallery & Art Space ~ 1665 Beverly Blvd. Echo Park, CA 90026
(Tues-Friday 12-4PM; Sat 1-5PM ~ FREE)
Gil Ortiz took 250 striking and glamourous shots of the designs featured in November's 2006 Calavera Fashion Show and a small slice of some of his results are on display until March 17th at Tropico de Nopal Gallery and Art Space. While documenting the fashions in well-lit, white-walled studio space, the photos are alluring and beutiful, while never betraying the solemnity, mystery, honor, defiance, sacrifice, and sense of humor found in Dia de los Muertos traditions. Check this exhibit out asap, the diverse and eloquent fashions, statements, and gallery-space are something special.
Once you regain your right minds after staring at this beautiful model, y'all, look at this phenomenal dress of black gossamer and gold, with a colorful, heartfelt shawl, both designed by artist Rosanna Ahrens, I cannot figure out which is the more gorgeous part of this Ortiz photo.
Just when I thought Tropico de Nopal couldn't get any cooler, this reminder of the FernandoMania epidemic sweeping the city in the early 80's really made me lose my shit.
