San Antonino Dresses

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San Antonino is a traditional Zapotec town, located adjacent to Ocotlán, in the area where some of the best-known and finely made blouses and dresses are produced. Once part of the traditional costume worn there, it was common to see these incredible fashions on both the old and young, at every fiesta and dance, twirling about. However, as the modern age encroached upon this small town, the artistic embroidery that so characterized the town previously became scarcer as the younger generations gradually left many of the 'old ways' behind, including their traditional Zapotec language (signaling a switch to Spanish) and some traditional forms of livelihood, such as dressmaking. 

Now done by a select group of artisans, the San Antonino dress (also known as the Mexican or Oaxacan Wedding Dress) is characterized by the delicacy of embroidery, as well as the preservation of traditional forms and motifs. Fine silk and cotton thread is used to achieve brilliant and precise floral motifs on cotton fabric. The reward for the patience and attention to the tiny details that the embroiderer creates is a world of diminutive hand-holding people on the smocking, and the picturesque birds and delicate flowers of different types that adorn the neckline, sleeves and yoke.

Before beginning any of the embroidery, however, the pieces that form the dress must first be cut out and the decorative motifs drawn on. Then the fine pepenado work begins, involving forming tiny, even folds, that are held in place with diminutive stitches to form perfect pleats. This work requires much patience and skill, as both the front and the back of the smocking must be perfect as it will become the background for the small, romantic, hand-holding figures.

Then begins the technique known as hazme si puedes, so named for the great complexity of work, representing a true challenge for the eyes and the hands. The sleeves as well as the yoke are embroidered with delicate designs, harmoniously combined, with great care as to quality. When finished, the garment is assembled--some areas with delicate lacework--and a large embroidered floral spray is embroidered vertically down the front of the dress. The whole process, from beginning to end, can often take several months to complete.

In the late 60's, and continuing into the 70's and early 80's, these dresses experienced a rise in popularity in the United States--beginning first as a "hippy" thing, and then moving into the mainstream as they even became the uniform in some sorority houses at the University of Texas. Since then, these incredible dresses--whether on the fashion radar or not--have always been in demand at El Interior, simply because they cannot help but be appreciated for the time and effort that goes into each beautiful dress.

To order a dress, call (512) 474-8680 or toll-free (888) 474-8680 or email info@elinterior.com. If you'd like to place an order by email, tell us what you'd like to order, where it is shipping, and we now can send you a secure payment form through Paypal.

Please email us if you need help figuring out what size you need!

Size Small      Size Medium      Size Medium/Large      Size Large     Size XL-XXXL   >>

#SA001 Size X-Small, Length 47"  Gold silk
embroidery on lightweight, apple green cotton  $142.00

#SA003 Size X-Small, Length 48"  Seafoam green silk
embroidery on lightweight, seafoam green cotton $142.00

#SA005 Size X-Small, Length 44"  Gold silk embroidery on lightweight, khaki cotton $142.00 *

#SA006 Size X-Small, Length 44"  Gold silk embroidery on lightweight, fuchsia cotton $142.00

#SA007 Size X-Small, Length 44"  Gold silk embroidery on lightweight, white cotton $142.00 SOLD

#SA008 Size X-Small, Length 44"  Gold silk embroidery on lightweight, emerald green cotton $142.00

#SA009 Size X-Small, Length 44"  Gold silk embroidery on lightweight, dark navy blue cotton $142.00

#SA010 Size X-Small, Length 43"  Gold silk embroidery on lightweight, burgundy cotton $142.00

#SA011 Size X-Small, Length 46"  Silvery-white silk embroidery on lightweight, burgundy cotton $142.00

#SA012 Size X-Small, Length 46" Gold silk embroidery on lightweight, purple cotton  $142.00

#SA01 Size Small, Length 48"  Apple green silk
embroidery on lightweight, yellow cotton  $142.00 SOLD

#SA03 Size Small, Length 48"  Golden Yellow silk
embroidery on lightweight golden yellow cotton $142.00

#SA08 Size Small, Length 47"  Gold silk embroidery on lightweight, royal blue cotton  $142.00

#SA17 Size Small, Length 45"   Gold silk embroidery on lightweight, burgundy cotton $154.00 SOLD

#SA18 Size Small, Length 46" Gold silk embroidery on lightweight, purple cotton  $142.00 SOLD

#SA19 Size Small, Length 46"   Pewter silver silk
embroidery on lightweight, black cotton $154.00 SOLD

#SA20 Size Small, Length 46" Gold silk embroidery on lightweight, khaki cotton  $142.00 SOLD

#SA21 Size Small, Length 46"   Seafoam green silk
embroidery on lightweight, seafoam green cotton $142.00 SOLD

#SA22 Size Small, Length 51.5" Multi-colored silk embroidery on lightweight, white cotton  $142.00 SOLD

#SA23 Size Small, Length 45.5"   Fuchsia silk
embroidery on lightweight, white cotton $142.00 SOLD

#SA24 Size Small, Length 47" Gold silk embroidery on lightweight, seafoam green cotton  $142.00 SOLD

#SA25 Size Small, Length 52"  Gold silk embroidery on lightweight, dark navy cotton $142.00 SOLD

#SA26 Size Small, Length 42" Olive green silk embroidery on lightweight, white cotton. Special deshilado (open) crochet work  $192.00

#SA27 Size Small, Length 47"  Fuchsia silk embroidery on lightweight, royal blue cotton $142.00 *

#SA28 Size Small, Length 48" Gold silk embroidery on lightweight, lilac cotton  $142.00

#SA29 Size Small, Length 48"  Red silk embroidery on lightweight, red cotton. No Embroidery Down the Front
(which is great for belting) $135.00 SOLD

#SA30 Size Small, Length 48" Lilac silk embroidery on lightweight, lilac cotton  $142.00

#SA31 Size Small, Length 48"  Fuchsia and green silk embroidery on lightweight, lilac cotton $142.00 SOLD

#SA32 Size Small, Length 48" Aqua green silk embroidery on lightweight, seafoam green cotton  $142.00 SOLD

#SA33 Size Small, Length 52"  Gold silk embroidery on lightweight, golden yellow cotton $142.00

#SA34 Size Small, Length 45" Light magenta silk embroidery on lightweight, white cotton  $142.00

#SA35 Size Small, Length 47"  Fuchsia silk embroidery on lightweight, black cotton $142.00 SOLD

#SA36 Size Small, Length 34.5"  Multi-colored cotton embroidery on lightweight, mauve cotton. 3/4 Length Sleeves. $154.00 SOLD

#SA37 Size Small, Length 39"  Multi-colored cotton embroidery on lightweight, navy blue cotton. Long Sleeves with cuff. $154.00 SOLD

Size Small      Size Medium      Size Medium/Large      Size Large     Size XL-XXXL   >>

El Interior
1009 West Lynn
Austin, TX  78703
p. (512) 474-8680
info@elinterior.com
www.elinterior.com

Hours:
Monday - Saturday  10:00am to 6:00pm CST
Sunday 12:00pm to 5:00pm CST

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Last updated 1/31/12