Chasing Santa Fe: 2012-02-05

2.14.2012

Laura Sheppherd - Salon de Couture

W A L K I N G . I N . B E A U T Y

When you step into Laura Sheppherd's gorgeous Atelier in downtown Santa Fe, you'll find frothy wedding gowns and luscious evening wear, and you immediately sense that you've entered an elegant wonderland. A graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology in NY, Laura became enamored with antique fabrics and historical design elements. Many of her creations reflect that passion - corsets from the 19th century, sensuous, bias-draped gowns from the 1930's and silk screened and hand printed devore velvet creations - created in her Santa Fe studio - that resonate old world graphic designs.

Photos by C. Whitney-Ward

Her color palate is exquisite, reflecting all the hues of nature - sky, sunsets, flowers, mountains, water. "I saw that this beauty was for me to interpret into clothing so that women could wear their beauty on the outside as well as the inside," says Laura, who wants her clients to literally walk in beauty.

She collects wonderful vintage lace, often layering the pieces
for a collage effect.

Her dresses are sexy...

Wonderfully detailed...

And very, very romantic...

LAURA SHEPPERD - Salon de Couture

65 West Marcy Street - Santa Fe

505.986.1444

www.laurasheppherd.com

2.09.2012

Mission San Xavier del Bac

Occasionally Chasing Santa Fe travels...hence the post on this gorgeous church just outside Tucson, Arizona. C. Whitney-Ward

W H I T E . D O V E . O F . T H E . D E S E R T

As you drive along the highway - ten miles south of Tucson - a magnificent white mission church appears mirage-like out of nowhere. Its Mexican Baroque facade beckons, and as you drive towards this wonder - tucked onto the Tohono O'odham San Xavier Indian Reservation - you're transported back in time to the 18th century.

This marvelous church was built between 1783 and 1797 by a large workforce of O'odham Indians under the direction of Franciscan missionaries. The architect -Ignacio Gaona - was brought up from Mexico as was a painter and sculptor, whose names have been lost over time.

By 1797 there were only enough funds to complete one of the bell towers; the east tower was never built. All work stopped and the church opened its doors for services. But the entire church - exterior and interior - has been beautifully restored, and when you step inside, every surface is carved and painted and you will feel amazement and awe.

The ceilings soar and are filled with richly-painted imagery.

Boldly - carved angels and saints surround and stand watch. Every conceivable inch is swathed in beauty. A large number of the religious statues were created in guild workshops and brought to the mission from Mexico.

The simplest renderings in the church are the understated crosses representing the stations of the cross.

The scalloped wooden pews are striking when juxtaposed against

the stunning graphics along the walls...

When you peer down the aisle, the ornate altar with its large portrait

of St. Francis Xavier takes center stage.

And candles are everywhere; integral to this holy place.

Every detail is remarkable and a tribute to the original architect, artist, sculptor and O'odham laborers who collaborated on this captivating church.