Style : FASHION : Made in Mexico

With citywide festivals getting under way this month to celebrate the L.A. County Museum show opening next month, Los Angeles has Mexico’s arts and culture on its mind. At first glance, contemporary Mexican fashion may come as a surprise. But while designers south of the border have ventured light-years beyond simple cotton dresses and huaraches , they’ve never sacrificed their sense of place or heritage. Maribel Garcia uses bright colors inspired by Mexican paintings. Armando Mafud plays up native embroidery in his clothing and indigenous materials that glitter like Aztec treasures in his costume jewelry. Other designers--Enrique Martinez, Luz Marina McAninch for Lumari and Mitzy--exhibit Mexico’s European-style gentility and love of couturier workmanship, even when they veer into bugle beads and sequins. Here’s a sample from upcoming fall/winter collections. Some clothes are available now in local stores.

Hair: Syd Curry for Dorie Sherman; makeup: Jeanne Townsend/Celestine; model: Caroline Kreeft/ Bordeaux