La China Poblana

A most striking mestiza costume is that of the China Poblana. It is the most common of the female costumes and undeniably one of the most beautiful. The beautiful combination and fluent traditional traits translates the mestizainto a glorious festive ensemble.

Angelina La Patriota de China Poblana, c.1930s

El Rebozo de Mexico : Traditional Uses

by Diego Rivera

Diego Rivera’s paintings of Mexican women personifies the importance of the rebozo and its fundamental uses during the 20th c.. It was the quintessential garment worn by the mestiza and indigenous women. It was his wife’s, Frida Kahlo’s favorite piece and she was rarely seen without one. It is a prized piece of clothing for Mexican women and is always properly stored to keep its beauty.
On the indigenous woman the rebozo is used for a multiple of purposes it is not only an aesthetic piece but it serves as an instrument for daily tasks. It is a utilitarian textile and is used for warmth as well as to carry many things. In some regions it is twisted and knotted around the head to balance a jar.
On the mestiza urban woman she will use her rebozo over her head, around the shoulders, or folded on or accross the shoulders. Just as the men’s serape can define social status, so can the rebozos define the women.

Tangible accounts of their 20thc. clothing and earlier

The traditional costumes of Mexico have sustained a chronological homage to their country’s heritage. The many regions support local differences unique to their particular beliefs, origin, and climatic conditions. As an indigenous society they have blended with centuries of European, primarily Spanish, contact has provided influences that filtered in the to lineage of their national clothing. You can enjoy the various pieces that are distinctively Mexican; they provide keen preservation of their society. The vintage and antique dolls clothing personifies 20th c. Mexican culture and earlier.

Puebla Girl 20thc.

An indigenous papier mache doll represents the true clothing of their regional clothing.

She stands approximately 16″ tall, wears the traditional rebozo with profuse copied embroidery “punto de cruz”

San Pablito, Puebla

Mexican Popular Art Clothing & Dolls Wendy Scalzo

It is with sincere pleasure to finally bring you some significant information and history on the Mexican Dolls and 20th c. Mexican clothing.  After years of collecting and researching their varied regional origins I realized that there waslittle if any information on Mexican dolls . My primary goal was to start documenting their similarities by origin, age and medium.  I soon discovered it was going to be very difficult as resources  were limited . I researched both English as well as Spanish past  and  current information. I am so excited to share what I have researched with you through my book and this  website .Mexican costume dolls have certainly beenoverlooked on many levels of collecting and from the many genres of costume dolls, Mexican Folk Art, Popular Arts, 20th c. Mexican clothing and other types of collections. The dolls and their clothing has played a significant role in the history of Mexico’s decadal trends and the Mexican 20th c. dress. Not only were the dolls tourist souvenirs, but they are now a visible representation of Mexico’s wonderful indigenous and mestizo costumes. The many ways in which the dolls were made illustrates a balance of factual clothing from their country and their traits of those popular cites, such as, Guerrero, Mexico City, Puebla, Oaxaca, Veracruz and many others.