The Fashion Library

By Paul Smart

Top Guanajuato musical group to accompany Guanajuatense runway show May 11 to benefit the English Language Library.

“Our clothes tell the story of Guanajuato, this city that has drawn us to add to its history and shape its future,” reads the manifesto of the five young designers being featured at the English Language Library of Guanajuato’s first major benefit, The Fashion Library, taking place at the legendary La Dama de las Camelias nightclub in the city’s Historic Centro on May 11, from 5 to 7pm. “We are not about a colonial tourist view of cuteness. We are about refashioning to meet new goals to create fresh lives. We design for the futures we believe in. We design for what has brought us here to Guanajuato.”

The Fashion Library is a celebration of the English Language Library’s 23 years as an intellectual center of Guanajuato expat life as well as the creative spirit that is making Guanajuato a mecca for young designers, musicians, filmmakers, writers, and artists. The goal of the benefit is to draw the two elements of this ancient city together in a splash of inspiring fun.

The popular locally-nurtured hiphop group Kuarto del Panico will perform for the event’s runway show with special guests. Opera Guanajuato will show off its spectacular costumes before, during, and after the runway spectacle. A high-end auction of items will be emceed by local notable Don Marcos, and a design tienda will feature off-the-rack clothes, accessories, perfumes, and special event and library t-shirts.

Tickets are 200 pesos per person in advance and 300 pesos at the door. Reserved seating is an extra 100 pesos.

Tickets are available at the English Language Library on Calle del Sol, Cafe Tal outlets, Los Campos, Tienda Santa Fe, or through the English Language Library website at englishlibrarygto.mx.

La Dama de las Camelias is a mid-century gem of a dancehall that has long served as the go-to nightspot for Guanajuato’s creative class. It is located at De Sopena 32 in Centro. 

The Fashion Library starts promptly at 5pm on Thursday, May 11.

For more information visit paulsmart@aol.com.