article_snippet: A series of fascinating new photographs highlight a trend in the city of Monterrey for throwing extravagant parties to mark the point at which young girls turn 15 and, according to Latin American tradition, transition into womanhood.
article_snippet: The glammed-up teen celebrated her quinceañera - transition into womanhood - with a lavish party .
article_snippet: Parties to mark a girl's quinceañera have become increasingly lavish with parents splashing out huge sums to ensure Parties youngster has a party to remember.
article_snippet: Latin American communities in the US take quinceañera just as seriously with many girls incorporating popular films into many girls dresses.
article_snippet: It's all a far cry from the more humble traditions of quinceañera. 
article_snippet: It is thought Quinceañera has Quinceañera roots in  ancient Aztec culture.
article_snippet: 15 is the number: Quinceañera is celebrated differently in different countries but is essentially a coming-of-age party .
article_snippet: From the Latin American communities of Los Angeles to the streets of Mexico and even in Cuba, when a girl hits the age of 15, a huge party promptly follows.
article_snippet: Essentially a coming-of-age affair, quinceañera - literally meaning '15 years old', has taken off in much the same way that the high school prom has, with celebrations and outfits becoming increasingly extravagant in recent decades.
article_snippet: In the past, a girl celebrating Quinceañera would be preparing for marriage and offered advice from older females on how best to equip marriage for womanhood.
article_snippet: At Quinceañera, a girl celebrating her quinceañera is 'presented' to a girl celebrating her quinceañera community and may be expected to make a speech.
article_snippet: After an 'acceptance' of a girl celebrating her quinceañera, the party-goers would then pray before a meal is served.
article_snippet: Although most historians agree that the celebration has the celebration roots in Aztec culture, how the celebration is celebrated now depends very much on the country the girl grows up in.
article_snippet: Latin American communities in the US take quinceañera just as seriously with many girls incorporating popular films into many girls dresses.
highlights_snippet: The 'quinceañera' party marks traditional transition into womanhood and is celebrated in Latin American culture .
  