Maria Del Carmen Espinosa

Maria Del Carmen Gertrudis Espinosa is uniquely qualified to write a book on this rather specialized and predominantly feminine topic - a history of Spanish fashions beginning in the sixteenth century with emphasis on Spanish dress in New Mexico in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.

By heritage and by chance, Carmen Espinosa has a deep-rooted interest in her subject. She is a direct descendent of Marcelo de Espinosa, one of the captains who served with Juan de Oñate, who established the first colony in New Mexico in 1598. Born in Southern Colorado, Miss Espinosa attended schools there and in New Mexico. In 1925, she attended the University of Wisconsin, and also taught Spanish there. In the summer of 1930, she studied in Spain at El Colegio de los Pirineos in Barcelona. It was here that her interest in Spanish fashions began, an interest which continued through the years. She wrote publications for the New Mexico department of education, articles for the New Mexico Magazine, publicity for the annual Fiesta publications, and (in 1953 when the 200th anniversary of Albuquerque was celebrated) stories for the Albuquerque Tribune.

Miss Espinosa resides in Albuquerque, where she is an active member of the Albuquerque Historical Society, the New Mexico Folklore Society, and the Pan American Round Table. She has an extensive collection of Spanish dresses, many of which are pictured in this volume.

From the Dust Jacket

Shawls, Crinolines, Filigree: The dress and adornment of the women of New Mexico, 1739 to 1900

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