Dress is a central component of our daily lives and has been an significant part of the research about material culture in anthropology. Through clothing, individuals authenticate their sense of self and identity as well as their position in society. Clothing suggests a sense of cultural permanence, a sense of distinctiveness or variance from others, and a sense of connection.
The Traje de Flamenca o Traje de Gitana is no exception to this paradigm. It is central to the identity of the people of Andalusia, Spain. The outfit, embellished with layers of ruffles on both the skirt and the sleeves and brightly colored, is attributed to the Gypsies and originated in the late 19th and early 20th centuries when women vendors dressed in modest gowns trimmed with ruffles went to the fairs to trade their livestock. Later, women in higher social classes adopted the trend and today the Traje de Gitana is worn in city fairs, parades, beauty contests, formal and casual parties, and in many other social venues. It includes elements of dress that have come together to denote social status, level of education, development, and a larger social construct and cultural debate about the nature of Spanish identity and the country’s socioeconomic and political transformation.
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— Gina Santi is a freelance photographer born and raised in Venezuela and currently based in Tempe, Arizona. She earned her master’s degree in Cultural Anthropology from Northern Arizona University and has participated in various events in Northern Arizona, including the annual Celebraciones de la Gente at the Museum of Northern Arizona. Visit http://www.ginasantiphotography.com for more information.