Josefa

Josefa Ibarra (1919-2010) was known as “the mother of Mexican fashion design”. Josefa started making her own clothes during the late 1950s and was noticed by a couple who ran the Mexican concession at Disneyland. She began producing for them and for her small shop in Puerto Vallarta – her designs were never mass produced and only made by local women. In 1963, while shooting The Night of the Iguana, Elizabeth Taylor discovered her shop, and became a regular customer over the next decade. Josefa went on to open a chain of retail stores in Mexico and exported her garments to Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth avenue, Lord & Taylor and Macy’s as well as overseas. Her clientele included Sophia Loren, Diana Ross, Princess Grace, Nancy Reagan and other celebrities. She became the first Mexican dress designer to have work featured on the cover of Vogue Paris. She retired from designing clothing in the late 1980s.

Written by Vintage Fan Attic

from a 1960s tunic

Courtesy of VB Vintage

from a 1960s tunic top

Courtesy of Ranch Queen Vintage

from a 1970s caftan

Courtesy of Vintage Fan Attic