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Norma Writes for Selvedge Latin Issue
Why We Left, Expat Anthology: Norma’s Personal Essay
Norma Contributes Two Chapters!
- Norma Schafer and Oaxaca Cultural Navigator LLC has offered programs in Mexico since 2006. We have over 30 years of university program development experience. See my resume.
Study Tours + Study Abroad are personally curated and introduce you to Mexico's greatest artisans. They are off-the-beaten path, internationally recognized. We give you access to where people live and work. Yes, it is safe and secure to travel. Groups are limited in size for the most personal experience.
Programs can be scheduled to meet your travel plans. Send us your available dates.
Designers, retailers, wholesalers, universities and other organizations come to us to develop customized itineraries, study abroad programs, meetings and conferences. It's our pleasure to make arrangements.
Our Clients Include *Penland School of Crafts *North Carolina State University *WARP Weave a Real Peace *Methodist University *MINNA-Goods *Selvedge Magazine
Tell us how we can put a program together for you! Send an email norma.schafer@icloud.com
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- NY Times, Open Thread–Style News
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Zapotec Fashionistas Know — It’s All in the Apron
Katie wrapped in apron and head scarf with market apron vendor
What does the stylish Zapotec woman wear? Why, an apron, of course! Aprons with ruffles, embroidery, scalloped detailing, lace, deep pockets and a secure button closure with waist tie are the ubiquitous fashion statement in the Tlacolula valley of Oaxaca. The center of apron fashionistas is the Sunday Tlacolula Market. There, an entire aisle is devoted to the apron and accompanying colorful headscarves. Aprons come in all variations on the theme of checkered, gingham-like, cotton or cotton/poly blend fabric. They can be simple straight edge or more complicated, heavily scalloped at the hemline and bodice. Price depends upon complexity of style and amount of embroidery. Aprons can be magical, embroidered with figures of birds, flowers, animals, and fruit. The fancier the apron, the more it costs.
Polly chooses hers, and ...
Gringas like aprons, too. After we buy ours and wear them, we get big smiles from the locals. The fun is in the fashion show for each other, shopkeepers and passers-by. Almost like dress-up when we were girls 🙂 What’s amazing is that you can be wear any plain ‘ole thing underneath, and a great apron from Tlacolula just adds color, fun and spark to life. When you come to a village in Oaxaca you will see that the apron is just part of everyday dressing. For us, it’s a way to enjoy another dimension of Oaxaca. Now, we are ready for cooking class!
Robin finds one that suits her at the local market in Teotitlan del Valle.
Helen loves this one with brown tones.
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Posted in Clothing Design, Cultural Commentary, Oaxaca Mexico art and culture, Travel & Tourism
Tagged Apron, Embroidery, Mexico, Oaxaca, postaweek2011, Sewing, Tlacolula market, Zapotec