When Joann Wardy was 7, he had to hang clothes from her mother and accessories in a tree in the front yard and play store. However, this member of one of the main fashion families of El Paso is undertaking the biggest challenge of his career: a fashion show of 50 years of well-known women’s clothing designers and retailers of El Paso.
The parade is on Thursday at the Museum of History of El Paso, where clothing will be on display from July 22 to 16 September.
Wardy is a well known name in the business community of El Paso. Grandmother of Joann, Jabali Zacchia Ayoub, married at 12, had her first child at 15, and in 1930 began an empire in snuff Frontier, one of the first successful retail stores in El Paso. That business acumen is passed down.
“It was my mother’s dream to open a shop of his own,” Wardy said. ”I think my brother and I fulfilled that dream for her. She was very proud of us.”
Brother Amen Wardy owner of clothing store at 1201 N. Mesa, for years a center of high fashion in the city. He later moved to California and, in time, opened a store for the stars on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. Joann has worked with his brother and owned two shops bearing his own name in El Paso.
Wardy When Rose’s mother died six years ago, the daughter began to think about the love of his mother’s fashion.
“Then when Mariam Haddad build a multicultural event on women in business, the idea of a fashion history was born,” he said.
Dummies in the museum
At first, Wardy wanted to establish a permanent exhibition at the Museum of the History of El Paso that shows 100 years of fashion for decades. ”I felt it would be a nice way to honor not only my mother but all designers and retailers who have made, bought and sold women’s clothing and accessories through generations,” he said.
Wardy planted the seed with Jim Murphy, director of museum development. It gave the idea to director Julia Bussinger.
“The museum has no space for all the dummies needed for 100 years, but I felt I could handle a screen 50 for two months. We have decided to introduce the exhibition with a major fashion show, and this is by far the program hardest thing I’ve put together, “Wardy said.
She has been working on plans for a full year. In March, Veronica Dayoub, former fashion designer and friend, joined the effort.
“When Joann shared his idea, I offered to find sponsors and raise funds. The program gives me the opportunity to see my mother’s clothes back on track and feel close to her,” said Dayoub, whose mother died three years ago.
Two challenges were the dummies and the investigation of the history of the retailers and designers. Elodia provided the racks and mannequins, and co-president Cindy Graff-Cohen and his aides provided much information on retailers and designers. Other co-chairs and Armendáriz are Allison White.
Among the 20 listed El Paso retail trading through the decades were the White House, Gaiba, clothing, glass, Mrs Tony, the Popular Dry Goods Department Store, Union Fashion, Nono, since shoes Brothers Jewelers Store and Sheldon, in addition to Amen Wardy. The People in alterations seamstress, Effie Day, designed all the dresses of the Queen of the Sun Carnival, but beautiful clothes as well as others,” said Edi Brannon, the last president of the store before it closed in 1995.
Three students from the chair of UTEP’s history department, Paul Edison, helped research the history of the period. When the ads started running in search of donations, “We were swamped with more than 200 calls from women who make their clothes!” Wardy said, clearly surprised.
Family stories
Over the next few weeks she and exhibition co-chair Allison Armendariz visited more than 60 homes – five or six a day – to see and photograph the clothes. After sifting through the photos, and with the help of fashion in El Paso Community College Patricia Winstead department head and one of his students, check the deadlines of each piece and made the final selection of 10 to 12 teams per decade.
“Being invited to the homes of the people was like visiting a candy store,” Wardy said. ”Mary Jane Windle, for example, gave us an incredible collection of dresses from grandmother, Mrs. Guynes, from top designers.”
Everywhere they went, stories come along with fashion.
“‘I got this dress for my prom and I have been married to my date dance for 50 years,” one lady told us. Can you imagine the excitement? ”Wardy said. They have also achieved “spectacular” the support of the business community of El Paso, according to Wardy. ”The contributions have come from everywhere.” Barragan’s Hair Salon is preparing the models hair and makeup at no cost. Fashion Bazaar is supplying 24 models.
“The girls are donating their time for the opportunity to use designs for Mr. Blackwell, Noverice Miguel, Emmanuel Ungaro, Gianni Versace, Galano and others,” he said. For some models, this will be his first concert. Cynthia Hernandez, 22 years old and 5’4 “, says she is delighted to donate their time to be present at this great show. ”A dress that took thousands in costs. I consider it an honor to wear a garment so beautiful!” He said.
Irma Blanco will wear a gown of gold lame halter backless 1980, perfect for her slender 5’9 “frame.”I am grateful for the opportunity to see the variety of styles of different periods. I’d be happy to use many of these today,” he said.
A small – or high – Wardy problem encountered was the height. Most donors were 5’0 “to 5’4″ tall. Many of the models are much higher, so that each item has to be installed on the appropriate model.
“Of course, we can not change because they belong to private owners, but even if we could, the fabrics are too fragile,” Wardy said. ”Would not it be great to find a gallery interested in maintaining a permanent exhibition? The clothes are only on loan to us, but it seems a shame to steal the world see them,” Wardy said.
