Mexico Under the Skin is unique kind of fashion show

For many Mexican designers, breaking into the U.S. market can be a challenge. The Mexico Under the Skin fashion show provides opportunities for fashion designers from Mexico and Arizona to showcase their work.

During this year’s show, cancer survivors will model fashions created for women going through chemotherapy treatments. A portion of proceeds from the event will benefit Impact One Breast Cancer Foundation, which provides post-surgical clothing, wigs and mastectomy bras to cancer patients.

Kodigho Models and Univision Arizona produces the event, which features 12 designers and more than 130 models.

Armando Varela, Kodigho co-owner, said when he and his husband, Fredo Luna, started an agency in Phoenix three years ago, they noticed there weren’t a lot of opportunities for Hispanic models and designers.

“We had all of these people that wanted to become models, that wanted to showcase their talents, that wanted to grow within the industry," Varela says. "That’s when we came up with Mexico Under the Skin, to invite Mexican fashion designers to Arizona and give that space to the Mexican community as well." 

Kodigho Models started in Juarez, Mexico, and has expanded to El Paso and Phoenix.  

Varela and Luna hope that Mexico Under the Skin will help to bring more diversity into the local fashion industry.

“We are trying to grow, expand and help the Hispanic community to have a window to the fashion industry,” Varela says.

Models with different levels of experience will take part in the show. Last year, a majority of the models were doing their first runway show.

Leading up to the show, newer models receive hands-on training to refine their skills.

Taking part in the show last year allowed these first-time models to gain exposure and runway experience.

 “I want models, designers and makeup/hair artists to be able to have a full experience like (in) major fashion hub cities,” Luna says. 

Varela said many of the designers have established reputations in Mexico, and the show is meant to help them to expand their market.

“We do give a space to the local people, as far as the designers, but our intention is to bring from Mexico these top designers that are very well-known in Mexico, but they haven’t had the chance to present collections in the U.S., or they are trying to grow their label in the American community,” Varela says. 

Many of the featured designers have created looks for pageants such as Miss Universe and major runway shows such as Intermoda.  

The show will spotlight a number of returning designers, including Araceli Garcia of Ag Couture Designs.

Garcia plans to showcase couture evening gowns inspired by girls who want to be princesses or queens. She said with her designs, she wants to make the wearer feel special and emphasize their diversity.

Being part of Mexico Under the Skin has also allowed her to be more involved in the Phoenix community and support a local cancer organization. She said this is important because her mother was diagnosed with cancer last year, and she wants to honor her.

A number of new faces, including Ariana Vazquez of Wet Haute Couture, also will appear in the fashion show.

Vazquez started her line of colorful resort wear about two and a half years ago and sells it at the Open Mind Emporium at Scottsdale Fashion Square. 

With her collection of dresses, kaftans and robes with a tropical flair, she wants to offer affordable, comfortable and versatile options for women of different shapes and sizes.

“The dresses can be used as a cover up. They can be used as a dress. There’s a lot of our dresses that have pockets and dresses that can be worn three ways,” Vazquez says.

For Mexico Under the Skin, she plans to showcase resort wear in colorful prints and evening gowns with diamond embellishments.  

She hopes that through doing the show, she will be able to reach a wider audience.

“I feel that this is a platform for me to tap into the Latin community and let them know about my brand … I’m trying to show a personal brand emerging out of Arizona,” Vazquez says.

Source: Azcentral.com

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