The Top Hat Bridal Shop Mural

This mural was once one of three that dominated the lobby of downtown Los Angeles's Victor Clothing Building. Like the others, this painting celebrates the importance of Latino and Hispanic culture to United States society as well as the vibrant role Hispanic artists play in modern art.

"(This mural) was done for the Bridal Shop on the second floor at the Victor Clothing Co. Building on Broadway St. between 2nd. and 3rd. streets in the very early 1980's. I had a studio there on the 4th floor. That area of the downtown commercial district was full of wedding and Quinceria shops (Note: Quinceria or Quinceanera is a formal celebration of a girl's 15th birthday honored by many Latin American communities) The store wanted a hallway mural and I put together a painting using the photography from past wedding imagery found at the store.

Some models were from personal photos of the people that worked there at Victor Clothing. It was great fun to paint the work. I made sure it reminded people what a wedding in East Los Angeles looked like even though the times change. A wedding is so promising no matter what age it attempts to happen in."