Doña Fela is honored with the exhibition “Fashion Icon”
San Juan, PR- On the occasion of the reopening of the San Juan Museum, the Puerto Rican Fashion History Council (PFHC) pays tribute to the iconic figure of Doña Felisa Rincón de Gautier, one of the most influential women of the twentieth century. The exhibition that opens its doors to the general public on October 1, emphasizes the facet never seen before of Doña Fela, the Fashion Designer.
“In a historical context of this character, visitors will find elements of his life that describe his clothing, philanthropic and community work, highlighting it as an icon of fashion and art,” said Joseph Da’Ponte Curator and President of the PFHC. The public can enjoy for the first time twelve designs, oil paintings, serigraphs, photographs, material testimonies and the famous fans that so characterized this Puerto Rican hero.
Part of the tribute will be in charge of prominent patio designers such as Carlota Alfaro, David Antonio, Carlos Alberto, Edzel Giovanni, Miriam Budet, Kelvin Giovani, Sonia Rivera among others, who exhibit their dresses inspired by Doña Fela’s designs. Also for the first time, the first drawing of the artist Antonio Martorell, presented to Doña Felisa at 14 years old among other works where she was his inspiration, is exhibited in an art show.
“I want to thank Hilda E. Rodríguez, Executive Director of the Felisa Rincón de Gautier House-Museum for trusting me and giving me the opportunity to expose this great treasure of our cultural heritage. I also thank our Architectural and Creative Director Néstor Hugo López who has recreated a master space for this exhibition, ”said Da’Ponte.
I had known Da’Ponte for more than 10 years now and even had been his model in the past, this reopening led Puerto Rico to a rediscovery of our fashion history as Puertorricans, getting to this point had been hard work and a lot of people helping in the process to have final results to this level. We’re known as a fashionista culture, fashion is a must in Puerto Rico.
Having exhibitions like this helps us understand our history, where we are now and wherein the near future we will be in fashion. If you’re a tourist visiting Puerto Rico besides the gorgeous beaches, Spanish buildings at Old San Juan you should visit this exhibition if you’re a fashionista follower like me. Da’Ponte with only 29 years had reached the historian level with a master’s degree in History and anthropology of Puerto Rico from there taking him to his doctorate in history also at the Center for advanced studies of Puerto Rican culture in order to form his dream as a historian and leave a legacy for the next generations in Puerto Rico. For more details of this exhibition and for private tours you can write to prfashionhistorycouncil@gmail.com.
Doña Fela: “Fashion icon” runs until December 31, 2019, at San Juan Museum and its entrance is free of charge. Museum hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00 am-4:00 pm.
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