The origins of the modern flamenco dress trace back nearly two centuries to Seville’s Feria de Abril, where gypsy women wore inexpensive calico dresses accentuated by layers of ruffles. As flamenco moved from the original gypsy communities and into Spain’s cafés cantantes in the second half of the 19th century, its costumes became more extravagant. Today, flamenco style has established its own niche — one that’s inspired high-fashion designers like Giorgio Armani and John Galliano.
On Thursday, October 5, the 2017 We Flamenco Fest kicks off with a fashion show at the Geekdom event center that highlights the history of flamenco costumes by bringing together some of the city’s top designers. Expect to see designs on the runway by Artist Foundation of San Antonio award winners Lisa Perello and Kendra Vigil as well as some exquisite headdresses created by Fabian Alejandro Diaz. Rounding out the collection will be dresses once worn by local beloved dancers Teresa Champion and Carmen ‘La Chiqi’ Linares.
Now in its eighth year, the We Flamenco Fest is a citywide celebration (Oct. 5 – Oct. 14) organized by the nonprofit Peoplehood to encourage collaboration within the local flamenco community while attempting to “invigorate and celebrate” the art form.
Among the highlights of this year’s fest will be TRIBUS, a performance by the modern flamenco project Arte y Pasión ($10-$40, 9pm Fri., Oct. 6, street festival outside Carmens de la Calle on N. Flores and W. Pecan) and Somos Flamencos, a performance by members of the San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department’s dance troupes featuring Pilar Andujar ($15-$40, 8:00 pm, Sat. Oct. 7, Carver Community Cultural Center, 226 Hackberry).
Flamenco and Fashion: A Historical View, $10 advance, $15 at door, 7pm Thurs, Oct., 5, Geekdom event center, 131 Soledad, tickets available at eventbrite, for a full list of events visit www.facebook.com/WeFlamencoFest
