UTPA student Paola Alanis has designed some stunning trajes with the help of her sastre Esther Luna, her mom Leticia Alanis and her two sisters Leticia and Mitza.
Paola, a student at the University of Texas Pan Am in Edinburg, first got the idea for the design of the traje she wore during the Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza Vocal Competition from the actress Danna Garcia. Paola wanted a fitted traje she saw Danna wear on the Televisa novela Que Bonita Amor but with a train to give it more of a romantic feel. She sang “Mi Error Mi Fantasia” and wanted a look appropriate for the song and her performance. “I wanted a traje with a skirt that flowed with a soft, feminine and romantic feel to it,” she said during a recent phone conversation.
Knowing exactly what she wanted, Paola contacted her sastre Esther who operates a company called Rodeo Country out of Monterrey, Mexico and within a week, the traje was made. But that was just the first step. After the traje was completed, her mom came up with the idea of adorning the traje with crystal buttons instead of the traditional mariachi gala (silver or gold ornaments placed on the sides of mariachi skirts or pants). A special kind of material was needed for the traje so she was limited in colors but selected a beautiful pink. In addition to the crystal galas, her mother sewed hundreds of Swarovski crystals on the jacket and the skirt to enhance the elegance of the traje and to make it light up on stage. She added a fantastic pink and silver moño with lots of crystals, detailed bordado (embroidery) and her name inscripted on the piece.
“My sisters gave their input as well and helped design the bordado,” says Paola. “If they felt it needed to be fitted more in one place or looser in another, they made sure it happened so that it was a great look and fit like a glove. It was snug around the hips and tucked at the knees with a trumpet train. I wore it with a white shirt and earrings and no belt. I just kind of felt the belt wasn’t needed…it was already enough without it.”
Felicidades a Paola Alanis, Esther and the entire Alanis family for creating the most beautiful traje ever! It was classy and creative and added to your amazing voice and performance during San Antonio’s 18th Annual Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza.
Audiences will have the opportunity to see Paola Alanis perform as first place winner of the Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza – college/university category – vocal competition in the Rio Grande Valley. Paola will be accompanied by UTPA’s Mariachi Aztlan in Brownsville on Sunday, March 3 at 7 PM at the Arts Center at UTB. Tickets for the concert may be purchased online at UTBTickets.com or by calling 956-UTB-TKTS [956-882-8587]. Tickets range from $79 (in the front) to $49 (balcony Left/Right). Orchestra Main will be $65.
