Ironically Whimsical, Clearly Inspired

BAHIA fest recently took place at Caribbean Villas Hotel. This chic evening fashion show was organized by Magazine Mujer Total Chetumal; with assistance from Zuzana Marosova and Barbara Brown. Original designs were showcased by Mexico Designers: Maria Del Pilar Lopez, Guillermo Perez Alayon and Martin Lopez. Part of the proceeds from the event went to benefit Ambergris Caye Camp Star Fish who also provided entertainment and help on raffles.

Sponsors for the event were many:  San Pedro Town Council, Minister Manuel Heredia, Tropic Air, Ocean Ferry, Caribbean Villas, Blue Tang Inn, Sandy Point Resorts, Melt Cafe, Boaz , Island Adventure, Polos, The Candle Garden, Barrier Reef, Spindrift Hotel, VIP Transfers, Reef Management, Coconut Cafe and Mmm Taste This.

The show was broken down into 3 segments where each designer’s collection was featured by Mexican and Belizean models.

La Maria by designer Maria Del Pilar Lopez

Maria Pilar’s line was inspired by iconic Mexican Culture with bold bright colors, Frida Kahlo and Day of the Dead inspired images. Her collection was artistic and whimsical, perfect for adding some classically inspired modern day fun to any wardrobe.

In Love by Mexican designer Guillermo Perez Alayon

Guillermo romanced the runway with his sexy and sophisticated collection. Guillermo’s showed his talent for blending elegant with a touch of spice. A perfect mix for the woman who wants to feel kissed by elegance and in love with life.

Madonna Tribute by Martin Lopez

Mario’s Madonna tribute line was right on point, well tailored, and fashionable with a modern twist. He transformed memorable Madonna song moments through the years into clearly inspired designs. At the end of the multi segment show, the models celebrated Madonna in true fashion a with dance party on stage.

BAHIA Fest show pictures and video 

Above pictures featuring designers, organizers, models and camp starfish representatives by Mario Chan and Aimee

Thank you Mujer Total and Barbara Brown for inviting tacogirl.com to be a part of show media. It was a wonderful experience, as was the model graduation event – Magazine Mujer Total comes to San Pedro. Thanks to Eduardo Brown for middle Madonna tribute bridal picture in featured image.

Models Input

I wanted to give you some behind the scenes input into the show and asked model and well known Island Artist Melody Wolfe (Belizean Melody Art Gallery) for her input on what it was like to participate in such a big show.

I have modeled before for camera, Belikin Calander, World Model Search, I’ve done some commercial shoots for resorts and lots of ads. Heck I’ve been an M.C. for pageants. However I had never walked the runway and it is one of the scariest yet most exciting things I have ever done! Your heart is racing a billion miles per hour and you literally have to scream or shake it off before you walk out on that stage!

So much goes on back stage, dresses flying off, hairdressers chasing people down, the hours of makeup, but it was all worth it and a lifetime experience. I really felt old modeling next to 15 years olds who could walk in heels 10x better than me but I also felt really young getting my hair and makeup done and wearing princess dresses! My favorite part of the whole thing was the end when we all walked out and danced and of course finally taking those stripper shoes off! I want to say thank you to my wonderful teacher Zuzana and friend Barbara, the designers and all the models who made my runway model experience so much fun!

Melody Wolfe

About the Photographers

Mario Enrique Chan Ramirez

Mario has been a Chetumal based professional photographer for the last 8 years and loves what he does.  In addition to being party and wedding photographer, Mario also teachers in a primary school. You can contact Mario at mariochanramirez@yahoo[dot]com

Olivera Rusu

Leading the way in fine art photography in Belize, Olivera Rusu Photography is a high-profile photographer, based in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye.

Her style is classic, with warm poses, and her editing is clean with vivid colours. “Keep it classy” as she always say.

Being the choice photographer of the award winning, luxury private island, Cayo Espanto, Oli has photographed both local and international celebrities. She was the official photographer for the SICA summit, when it was hosted in Belize, photographing 7 presidents/prime ministers. Her work has been featured on television and in many online and printed publications including CNN, Private Islands Magazine (USA), Flavors of Belize (Belize), NE Magazine (Belize), and for 2 consecutive years, creating and photographing The Belikin Calendar (National beer of Belize).

You can see more of Olivera’s work on Photography in Belize website.