Fashion’s favorite faces came together this week for Carlos Eric Lopez’s 2nd Annual Día de Muertos Dinner Party. Hosted at Casa de Plata in Los Angeles, The Mexican-American photographer brought his ‘chosen family’ of artists and friends for an evening that celebrated Mexican heritage.

The night highlighted all aspects of Mexican art. Since the holiday is a time to reflect on those we have lost, guests were invited to bring a portrait of a late family member to place on the ofrenda (altar), which was designed by Mexican artist Ricardo Soltero. Musicians Trio Del Alma, Folklor American, Mariachi Los Reyes, and Stephanie Amaro gave live performances. Attendees enjoyed a multi-course al fresco dinner by Chef Claudette Zepeda that honored traditional Mexican fare, and guests were gifted a limited-edition hand-painted bottle of Tequila Don Julio made in collaboration with artist Eric Mancha.

Miguel, Jessica Alba, Vanessa Bryant, Nicole Richie, Xochitl Gomez, Stephanie Sheperd, Michael Cimino, Jen Atkin, Sasha Calle, Juan Toscano-Anderson, Jamie Mizrahi, Diego Boneta, and more were among names that attended the festivities.

To celebrate the occasion, we spoke to some members of fashion’s Latin community to hear more about what Dia de Muertos means to them.

Willy Chavarria

Designer

“Dia de Muertos is about my grandmother sharing the history of our family and knowing my relatives who have already passed on. It’s one of those beautiful family traditions that sustains a love for family in our Latinidad.”

Daniela Villegas

Designer 

“It is the day of my birthday, so I feel lucky to celebrate during this magical day filled with joy, color and mysticism. It’s a festivity with pre-Hispanic and Catholic elements that evoke the sentiment “death is not absence but a living presence.” Death is not something we can escape. The concept of seeing death as a transition, rather than the end, in so many ways is a beautiful thing that gives us comfort and hugs our spirit.”

Carlos Eric Lopez

Photographer

“From my earliest childhood days, Día de Muertos has always been about remembering loved ones and coming together as a family. I have a really diverse group of friends here in LA that spans East LA artists and Hollywood ‘high society’, and being able to seat this seemingly disparate group of people together at one table as a ‘chosen family’ is what the evening is all about. We’re all celebrating love, community, and unity.”

Patricio Campillo

Designer

“Día de Muertos is a chance you get every year to remember and celebrate in a very intimate and personal way the loved ones that are no longer with us. Día de Muertos is so rich that to me it is one of the most important cultural vehicles. It’s a way to celebrate where we come from and makes us feel closer to where we belong. It’s a tradition that teaches us to celebrate death, which is a beautiful way to approach life.”

Kris Goyri

Designer

“Día de Muertos is one of the most special traditions of Mexico. It’s more than just a celebration of death. It’s a time to remember and honor the life of those who have transcended. For me, the most beautiful part is the reflecting on the spiritualism and mysticism behind it; how the altars are made, the representation of the beautiful cempasúchil, crisantemos and Claveles flowers, and the truth that those we remember will always be alive within us.”