Ofrendas 2008 Calavera Fashion Show

Model Raquel Salinas waits backstage before appearing on the runway as part of Ofrendas 2008 Calavera Fashion Show and Walking Altars at the Tropico de Nopal Gallery.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Artist Sandy Rodriguez, left, portrays a demon pursuing La Catrina (Elena Araujo) as a tribute to J.G. Posada on the runway at the Calavera Fashion Show and Walking Altars at the Tropico de Nopal Gallery.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Artist CiCi Segura Gonzalez walks the runway as her walking altar titled “Bloodlines: Homage to Mesoamerica,” dedicated to the ancient Mesoamerican civilizations that flourished in the 15th and 16th centuries.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Rosanna Ahrens designed a piece with accordion player Jason Sevvy, right, with backstage manager Becky Cortez.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

The Calavera Fashion Show and Walking Altars features artists walking the runway, showing off Dia De Los Muertos- themed fashion at the Tropico de Nopal Gallery.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Monet Soto portrays Juanita T. Flores, the mother of artist Juana Flores, who designed this walking altar as a dedication to her mother, whom she described as “a pachuca from East L.A. who married and had her first child at age 15.”  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Model Raquel Salinas walks the runway as “Homenaje a Nahui Olin: A woman of eternal cosmic movement.” Created by artist Lara Medina as a tribute to Nahui Olin, a prominent Mexican feminist.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Model Elena Araujo, left, waits backstage with artist Sandy Rodriguez at the Tropico de Nopal Gallery Art-Space moments before walking the runway at Ofrendas 2008.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Model Emily Ramsey enters the runway as “Angel,” a walking altar piece by artist Orquidia Violeta.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Artist Consuelo Flores paints a grim picture in her walking altar titled “Pictures of Juarez,” a dress that features images of women who have been murdered in Juarez, Mexico.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Model Shan Chao falls to the stage at the end of her role in artist Abel Alejandre’s walking altar titled “The Duality of Time.”  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Elena Esparza and Jeffrey Ahrens waltz while playing Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera on the runway at the Calavera Fashion Show and Walking Altars.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Artist Jose Lozano’s piece features Abel Salas, left, and Amelih Helm as a waitress in a walking altar titled “Las Mesaras de Juarez,” dedicated to unnamed waitresses in the notoriously lawless city of Juarez, Mexico.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Artists gather backstage at the Tropico de Nopal Gallery Art-Space, preparing to walk the runway at the Dia de los Muertos Ofrendas 2008 Calavera Fashion Show and Altar Walk.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Katiria Gomez walks the stage as “Mother Mary,” a walking altar designed by artist Germs in memory of his mother, Josefina Zacarias.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Artists gather backstage at the Tropico de Nopal Gallery Art-Space, preparing to walk the runway at the Dia de los Muertos Ofrendas 2008 Calavera Fashion Show.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)