Chicas Calaveras honor loved ones through vibrant costumes

On Día de los Muertos, Ines Magaña Picazo honors her maternal grandmother Rafaela Meza Castro.

Picazo remembers her grandmother’s bright clothing she wore while growing up in Mexico City. Through her clothes, Castro expressed her creative talent, personal style and spirit, Picazo says.

It’s through her grandmother’s vibrant-colored clothing, Picazo draws inspiration for her costumes she wears as a member of Chicas Calaveras — a non-profit organization that shares Mexican culture through costumes and artistic expressions.

“The costumes I create are labors of love, in this way I am able to honor my loved ones,” said Picazo, who founded Chicas Calaveras in 2013. “For example, tiny hearts or roses that symbolize love and beauty. I create with no limits. Whenever I am creating, I believe (my grandmother) and my loved ones that have passed on are looking down at us as we wear them. It sweetly reminds me of my grandmother and family. It makes me feel proud of our heritage, culture, and my family's legacy.”

Día de los Muertos began Sunday and ends Monday. The two-day holiday that originated in Mexico is a day of celebration of those who have died. Those who commemorate the holiday often set up ofrendas — altars — for their loved ones that have some of their favorite foods, beverages and photos of the departed.

Calaveras — skulls — are also a common symbol during the celebration. For Chicas Calaveras, they use skulls as an art through painting their faces.

Since beginning the nonprofit, Picazo’s daughter Sylvia and her friend Karla “Käs” Valentina started taking part in the tradition. Chicas Calaveras makes appearances throughout the year at Mexican heritage events such as Fiesta San Antonio, Muerto Fest San Antonio, Día de los Muertos Festival New Braunfels. The organization also visits area high schools to educate students on Mexican culture.

“We do the Chicas Calaveras group because it unites sisterhood and all people no matter the race, background,” Picazo said. “Also, the united desire of honoring our loved one's legacies.

“People's hearts are moved,” she added. “They are so appreciative and we feel the love that is exchanged between us and them when we are interacting and taking pictures with them. The costumes are a treat to their eyes, they love to take pictures with Chicas Calaveras. The picture that someone takes with us is a memory that they will carry with him/ her and possibly pass down to their children. It's a beautiful exchange between Chicas Calaveras and the community.”

During this year’s Día de los Muertos, Picazo said she’s honoring her brother, Jerry Magaña; grandparents, Rafaela M. Castron and Ireneo Hernadez; aunt Irene Chapas and uncle, Raul Chapas; mother in law: Magdalena Martinez; sister in law: Carolina Picazo; and is also celebrating the life of George Michael and Selena Quintanilla.

Through the vibrant costumes she wears, Picazo shares her love with those she’s honoring.

Above, Sylvia Magaña Picazo showcases a dress with colorful flowers. The outfit, inluding the hat, blouse and skirt, was embellished by Ines Magaña Picazo. Daily Record photo by Lance Winter

“Through my costume creations and artistic expressions, people's hearts are moved because they can see the bright colors, details, hours of sacrifice, labor of love, and pictures of my loved ones on the costumes,” she said. “I love to inspire others to create something they love. People enjoy seeing my costumes that I work on all year. I love being able to do something for my loved one's memory.”

ncastillo

@sanmarcosrecord.com

Twitter: @Nick_Castillo74