Aside from the great food and seamless organization, a highlight of the Lake Chapala Society’s January 31 Viva México Fiesta was the fabulous runway show put on by award-winning fashion designer María Rosario Mendoza and her team of glamorous models.
Mendoza takes special pride promoting Mexico and its rich cultural heritage through her Takasami brand apparel. Men and women’s attire showcased at LCS played up design concepts drawn from typical outfits worn by Nayarit’s Huichol people, Jalisco’s emblematic charro horsemen and the famed artist Frida Kahlo. 
As much as 500 hours of handiwork went into the elaboration of individual garments adorned with intricate embroidery, fine bead work, trimmings of classic accessories and hand-painted imagery.
Mendoza also produces a line of more conventional couture clothing, as well as collections of linens and employee uniforms ordered by five-star plus hotels and resorts.
Among the numerous feathers in Mendoza’s cap is the 2012 Emmy Award she won for costume design, in honor of the flashy threads she created for the opening ceremony of the XVI Pan American Games in Guadalajara.
She told the Reporter she was delighted to collaborate in the fund-raiser for LCS community education programs on the noble mission of helping others. “Mexico is a country with soul, ever eager to welcome people who come here from other parts of the world,” she declared.