Glittering gowns galore abound at Fiesta San Antonio parades that cause many a little girl to dream of becoming a princess, even for a day.
This is in fact possible with many civic groups, even high schools.
For those of us who sew historical gowns, the opportunity to help sew sequins, spangles and Swarovski crystals onto a Fiesta gown would be memorable, although wearing them would be divine!
Although there are many queens from numerous civic organizations, the original queens have an interesting history, which began the tradition of the beaded works of art that they wear.
ORIGINAL FIESTA QUEEN AND COURT
Beginning in 1909, the Order of the Alamo was organized to choose a queen, a princess, and 26 duchesses for Fiesta’s royal court.
The first Fiesta queen chosen in 1909 was Clara Driscoll, who served for 3 years in appreciation for her dedication in rescuing the Alamo from becoming a hotel.
Since her reign, the queen holds court for only one year with a princess and 24 duchesses, 12 from San Antonio and 12 from surrounding towns.
CREATING REGAL GOWNS AND TRAINS
In preparation for their Fiesta reign, the Court Artist sketches gown designs based on each of the girls favorite things, while staying true to the theme created by the Coronation Mistress of Robes.
The Coronation Mistress of the Robes and Court Artist who liaison between the artisans and Order of the Alamo are often former court members themelves, or former court mothers.
These stunning couture gowns are carefully handstitched in secret before the great unveiling of the court wearing their gowns before Fiesta.
Although kept secret, it’s estimated that the gowns created for each of the debutantes is valued at $10,000 or more…paid by the debutante’s family.
After Fiesta season, some of the gowns are donated to a local museum for public display, such as the Witte Museum and the Maverick Carter House.
Ultimately, most of the gowns go home with the young ladies they were sewn for, sometimes to display in her own home.
