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Dia de los Muertos: KC duo brings beauty to the dead through Catrina costumes and photos

By Randy Mason and Emily Curiel

Dia de los Muertos or Day of the Dead is celebrated immediately after Halloween, but there are big differences between the two. The Mexican tradition revolves around paying respect to ancestors and friends who’ve passed away. And does so in very colorful ways.

Along with elaborate altars known as ofrendas, skeletal figures known as Catrinas are a staple of Dia de los muertos celebrations.

Photographer Sonia Falcon captured Daniella Briones in her Catrina makeup and costume atop a horse decorated to look the part for their scenes of Dia de los Meurtos. Briones makes the costume and takes on the Catrina character while Falcon preserves her creations in photos.
Photographer Sonia Falcon captured Daniella Briones in her Catrina makeup and costume atop a horse decorated to look the part for their scenes of Dia de los Meurtos. Briones makes the costume and takes on the Catrina character while Falcon preserves her creations in photos. Sonia Falcon

Daniella Briones grew up on Kansas City’s West Side. A mother of a two-year old, Daniella works at Children’s Mercy Hospital and Sephora on the Country Club Plaza, while taking classes at Penn Valley Community College.

For the last five years, she’s dressed in Catrina costume and makeup at different events around town like the annual Dia de los Muertos parade on Central Avenue in Kansas City, Kansas.

Sonia Falcon and Daniella Briones met at Mattie Rhodes Culture Center to plan their next creation. Falcon will be working with Briones to photograph her in a Catrina costume for the Mattie Rhodes Culture Center Dia De Los Muertos Parade.
Sonia Falcon and Daniella Briones met at Mattie Rhodes Culture Center to plan their next creation. Falcon will be working with Briones to photograph her in a Catrina costume for the Mattie Rhodes Culture Center Dia De Los Muertos Parade. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com

Two years ago, she linked up with an old high school classmate, photographer Sonia Falcon to create Catrina imagery that reflects both her own journey, as well as Latinas’ place in American society.

Saying that she’s now “ready to pass the torch,” Daniella has been gathering materials and makeup to help six other women prepare for the Dia de los Muertos First Friday parade at the Mattie Rhodes Art Center on November 3.

Watch the video to see more of Briones’ Catrina creations and learn more about their collaboration.

This story was originally published November 1, 2023 at 5:30 AM.

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