January 12 2008 Page 2

Jaltemba Features

Bruce, Linda and friends visit Guadalajara...seen here at the Hotel Frences

Bill and Dot Bell took another trip to Guadalajara and decided to photographs the many interesting spires and roof tops.

Gella Navarro: Award Winning Local

 Fashion Designer

By Tara Spears

Gella Navarro was born to the designer’s life: “God gave me the talent and imagination to create beautiful clothes, so I have worked very hard to become a recognized Mexican designer.”  Her Galion label clothes are sold in several countries.  In fact, Gella earned the Mexican fashion industry’s highest award for several years (1985-87) for the most foreign clothing sales. Other notable events in her long professional career are producing wardrobe for the movie “Cocoon” and for Bette Midler.

Gella’s trademark style is luxurious tactile combinations that creatively blend several fabric types to form a 3-D garment. As a tribute to her Mexican heritage, Gella frequently includes hand-beaded embellishments.  The results are unique garments that have the look of artwork.   

Purse, below; shawl, right.

Although she was born in Mexico City, Gella spent her formative years in Aguacaliente state .  “I attended a bilingual primary and secondaro (Mexican high school)”said Gella.  “I drew my first design when I was four years old.”  Both of her parents worked in the garment industry. Her father, Julian Navarro, was the designer and manager of a large garment company.  

Gella apprenticed for two years working with her father, during which he taught her all phases of the design process and the steps involved with garment production.  She also went to school to learn the techniques for creating patterns.

“As a child, it was a hobby for me to sketch designs and make my own outfits,” she says. “It was my friends and father that encouraged me to turn my hobby into a career.”  Gella went to work as a director for a design shop, creating original patterns and sewing the haute couture clothes. “My design philosophy is to take elements from the Mexican artisans, use organic Mexican fabrics to create fashions. I was the first to combine jute and cotton for casual wear; the first designer to prewash fabrics before the garments are cut out,” she proudly relates.  For 36 years Gella worked hard to develop the quality that the Galion label stands for and to earn respect for Mexican designs in the international fashion market.  “I feel euphoric when I complete the process from imagining the design, creating the pattern, selecting the right materials, cutting and then sewing the garment to end up with a unique, comfortable, and beautiful garment.” She travels all over Mexico searching for just the right fabrics for her creations.

All three of her children inherited Gella’s sense of style and artistic talents: Wesley, 24, is a jewelry artist, Oliver, 22, and Rochelle, 19, are painters. About 14 years ago, Gella started to show her designs in Las Vargas, Nayarit. She decided to relocate to the Riviera Nayarit area in order to reduce her 60 hour work-week schedule and to have more time for herself and her family.  Gella is passionate about the importance of art for children, and dreams of establishing an art school in the area: “Art is such a part of me,” she says, “I want the local people to have an opportunity to develop their talents.” Although there has been an explosion of development in the area, Gella would like to see better education and services for the local people.    

Presently, Gella’s Galion designs can be viewed by appointment in her boutique at Bahia de Manzanillo 9A, La Penita.  She accepts commissions for original outfits, or you can see her work modeled at the Mujeres a Mujeres Fashion show, February 10, 2009.

Gella is wearing Galion garments; son Wesley

Original designs: Galion label                                           close-up of intricate details 

Contact Gella:  gella_wor3@hotmail.com  or, telephone for an appointment: 322-103-6777

Original jewelry available at Gella’s boutique by Rochelle & Edy

Alicia Conshey:

Energetic Designs

By Tara Spears

 This novice designer may be new to the local fashion scene but she radiates enthusiasm and creativity. Alicia Rivas designs express a youthful outlook on life- one can’t have a bad day when wearing one of her original outfits!  Her colorful clothes radiate positive energy, as does her shop, Nahual, located on Lazaro Cardenas Calle #12 in La Penita.  You can sip fresh espresso while browsing the artfully displayed funky bags, hats, blouses and slacks.  There is also an attractive selection of original jewelry to compliment the outfits and complete the ensembles.

Although Alicia was born in Los Angeles, California, she has been living part-time in the Riviera Nayarit area for more than 20 years.  The commercial development and expansion in the area is not to her liking: “It is such a beautiful natural area with a relaxed lifestyle” Alicia said, “I hate to see it get too big.”  Settling permanently in La Penita about three years ago when she married Wesley Rivas, a talented jewelry artist, they decided to open a boutique/coffee shop to market their creations to the public. The colorful shop mirrors their philosophy: “We think it is important to live a healthy lifestyle, work hard, and to take the time to appreciate what you have!” she says with a dazzling smile. Alicia finds designing clothes very satisfying, a perfect outlet for her creativity and imagination. “In the future, I hope to be able to make a living from my clothing sales and offer a larger selection of items.”

This self-taught seamstress began designing clothes for herself eight years ago and was surprised when others asked her to make a similar outfit for them. “I love working with natural non-dyed materials,” Alicia laughingly explains, “and I find such satisfaction creating clothes that others enjoy.”   She comes up with inspiration from music, fabrics, and dance:  Alicia relaxes by belly, jazz, or modern dancing. Right now, Alicia describes her style as ‘spontaneous eclectic’. She loves quirky details, lots of color, and a surreal feel in her designs. To see her fashions, Nahual boutique is open Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sundays from 7 am to 2 pm., or attend the Mujeres a Mujeres Fashion Show 2009 to view her latest designs.

                                                                                                    Email: clavada@hotmail.com

Daughter Catalina, Alicia, husband Wesley                         Contact Alicia: 322-157-4519

Agoda is the on line company that we book through when we travel.