Did You Know Vogue México Hosts A Día De Muertos Gala Every Year?
As many people prepare their ofrendas with pan de muerto and cempasúchil flowers, it’s safe to say Día de Muertos celebrations are already upon us.
While the Mexican holiday‘s main celebrations occur between November 1 and 2, Vogue México y Latinoamérica started the traditions a little earlier this year. The publication rang in Día de Muertos with an epic gala in Mexico City last week — which is actually an annual tradition.
The publication’s fourth annual Día de Muertos Gala took place on Thursday, October 26, in Proyecto Público Prim, a pair of historical, 20th-century homes in Colonia Juárez.
Last year, the New York Times likened Vogue México’s gala to its sister publication Vogue’s Met Gala in New York City. While noting that both events have a “familiar” formula, including annual themes, celebrities, and fashion designers, the Día de Muertos gala sets itself apart by celebrating all things México.
“We are honoring Mexican culture,” Vogue México’s head-of-content Karla Martínez de Salas told the newspaper. “Which, for us, is what’s most important.” She proudly added, “What we want to highlight… is the talent that there is in Mexico.”
This year, the Day of the Dead gala’s theme was magical realism, the literary tradition encompassing Latin American authors like Gabriel García Marquez, Isabel Allende, and Laura Esquivel. As per Vogue México, the party welcomed celebrities like Diego Calva and Sofia Reyes. It also honored Mexican tradition with great live music (more on that soon) and tons of Don Julio tequila.
Here’s what to know about the Día de Muertos Gala, including surprising music performances and a stunning fashion show.
The Día de Muertos Gala brought together inspiring people, Mexican fashion, and lots of cempasúchil flowers
The annual Día de Muertos gala started with a “black carpet” for celebrities to showcase their ornate, magical realism-themed outfits.
One TikTok user created a video round-up of many celebs’ black carpet fashion moments, including Nadia Ferreira in a stunning red gown, event co-host Alfonso Herrera in all-black, television host Karla Diaz in a Mexican-designed floral crown, and influencer Lylo Fa paying homage to a “Maya goddess”:
As posted by Vogue México y Latinoamérica on X, both “Rebelde” star Alfonso “Poncho” Herrera and “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” actress Mabel Cadena co-hosted the gala. In fact, the two Mexican stars walked the carpet together alongside head-of-content Martinez de Salas:
Apart from welcoming singers like Sofía Reyes and Danny Ocean and actors like Danilo Carrera, the gala also invited people making waves in other industries. For one, Mexican flag football player Diana Flores made a special appearance at the event, writing on Instagram, “There is nothing more beautiful than celebrating our traditions”:
Vogue México also invited Katya Echazarreta to the gala, who became the first Mexican-born woman in space last year
The outlet posted a YouTube video of Echazarreta getting ready for the event, telling interviewers, “Here I have my dress. It is a beautiful red color, the designer is [Mexican designer featured at the gala] Benito Santos.”
She explained, “I love my dress for tonight. I think when I saw it, I knew in that moment that it was the dress for me. Benito Santos is a great friend of mine, I met him during this experience, but we also have similar stories.”
“He always felt that love and passion for fashion but started his career as a doctor,” Echazarreta explained. “I understand how difficult that decision was, and I also feel that I have to make similar decisions.”
The astronaut also described mixing her love of fashion and science in places like the Día de Muertos gala. “When I traveled to space, I had the opportunity to collaborate with Vogue, and I saw the reaction of so many girls,” she recalled. “I understood that I had to keep going.”
Meanwhile, Vogue México interviewed Mexican singer Sofía Reyes about the significance of the gala to her, too. “I am passionate about seeing how everyone is dressed; I feel that everyone is taking a risk.”
“I wanted [my dress] to look like the cempasúchil flower,” she described, while also talking about her plans for Día de Muertos. “I’m going to make an altar to celebrate [new album, ‘Mil Amores’], let go of things and honor others.”
The outlet also interviewed actress and gala co-host Mabel Cadena before the event, who said, “I am happy that we can take a moment like this to celebrate and remember.”
She also said that her dress was inspired by Frida Kahlo. “[Mexican designer] Francisco Cancino designed this look, inspired by Frida Kahlo, of course, getting inspired by art, fashion, death, life, and what this woman meant to Mexico.”
Here are more images of the fashion that night, encompassed by tons of bright-orange, Día de Muertos-ready cempasúchil floral arrangements:
The night also included a fashion show by Benito Santos and a performance by Christian Nodal
According to Vogue México, the night included a stunning, candlelit fashion show by Jalisco, Mexico-born designer Benito Santos. Watch some of the beautifully-ornate designs walk down the runway here, replete with calavera makeup and floral crowns:
According to the outlet, Santos took inspiration from roses when designing the collection, even adding 3D roses to some of his dresses. He created the gorgeous collection specifically for honoring Día de Muertos and, of course, paying homage to México.
Even more, Mexican singer Christian Nodal made an appearance at the gala alongside his partner, Cazzu. As per Vogue México, Nodal’s “unforgettable” performance included songs like “La Mitad” and “Pa’ Olvidarme de Ella.”
Celebrate Día de Muertos by singing along to Nodal’s celebratory concert here:
