Culture Melds With Clothing on Wardrobe Divas’ Runway

Wardrobe Divas — A skilled stylist doesn’t just possess a great eye for fashion, it’s about how each piece comes together to create a full look, a visual statement about the wearer and their personal references, which often evoke their culture as well as clothing tastes. Peruvian-born and -raised, Elvira Zamora has made this idea her whole career. Living in L.A. since 1991, Zamora grew up surrounded by labels and sewing machines, as her father was a tailor. He exposed and educated his daughter about both the mechanics and the magic of fashion since she could walk and talk.

Elvira Zamora is blooming with ideas. (Lars of Kommienezuspadt).

“It’s been an inspiration my whole life,” Zamora says as she prepares to present her latest fashion show at Antonio Pelayo’s Mexican wrestling and art-filled La Bulla event at Plaza de la Raza this Saturday (co-sponsored by L.A. Weekly). “For La Bulla, I am designing one of a kind up-cycled looks for the runway because I would like to be a green designer and limit the use of new materials. I’d rather re-use materials. ”

Zamora, who is known as the “Fashion Gangsta” and helms Wardrobe Divas as a stylist and online retail site, plans to explore “the meaning of Luchador/a from my point of view and how the cultura is an inspiration to anyone fighting their own personal battles,” she explains. “I design looks for fashion shows in my own interpretation of the theme and I like to bring aspects of modern, avant-garde and couture looks to every catwalk.”

(Wiki Commons).

When it comes to lucha culture there is plenty to be inspired by, too. The vibrant pageantry and thrilling competition of Mexican wrestling dates back to the 1800s, when the sport began to veer from its Greek and Roman roots. It wasn’t until the 1930s that Mexican wrestling as we know it today began to really take off. Known as the father of Lucha, Salvador Lutteroth González, established “Empresa Mexicana de Lucha Libre” (known today  as Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre) around 1933, promoting bouts across Mexico, and helping establish the luchador as an iconic sports figure that continues to capture imaginations and enjoy fervent fandom in Mexico and the U.S. Here in L.A. the events happen occasionally, and Lucha Va Voom continues to pack the Mayan with bouts and burlesque.

A look from Zamora’s “Cholita Jolie” line. (Jairo of Cre8ive Design Studio).

Part of the luchador appeal comes, of course, from the grand regalia they wear, which often consists of colorful tights, spandex pants and leotards as well as a menacing mascara (mask) embellished with vibrant color and contrast. “Ever since I discovered Lucha, I loved the mystery of the person behind the mask,” Zamora says. “Where do they come from? Who are they? What kind of message do they want to share with the world? I want to provide the voice of each model through the design and what they are trying to express. ”

Zamora hopes to represent strength and freedom through her looks for women at the event, working with tops, bottoms, capes, and the masks themselves. “Masks are like personalities, although we may have similarities, not any two people are exactly alike,” she says. “You can look at similar masks and costumes and each one will have certain details that make them unique.”

Fashion Divas’ RAW Runway show. (Nelson Shen).

Merging costume and ready to wear for the show, Zamora promises plenty of iconic lucha references, including Blue Demon moments and baby doll dresses with familiar luchador details like fringe, pattern, sequin and rhinestones. She also wants to present her personal point of view on lucha from the perspective of a  minority woman. “I am trying to show fierceness in women in our own way with colors, embellishments, silhouette and even small details like gloves with long sharp stiletto nails,” she reveals. “Masks will also be created from non conventional materials to give them that special touch of uniqueness.”

Previous fashion shows for Pelayo’s parties (such as her horned headpieces for his Tatuaje event) have reflected the stylist’s sensual aesthetic and empowered themes, a thoughtful approach to fashion and spectacle, and a diverse and inclusive selection of models representing women of all beauty types and backgrounds, including lots of fellow Latinas. Her lucha-inspired show should take her ideas to an exciting new level. “I love the impression of modern warriors putting on their “war paint” getting ready to battle,” Zamora says of wrestlers (but she could just as well be talking about models on the runway). “They put on the very best show for their audience all the while leaving their legacy on the ring.”

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