In the last decade , thousands of British teenagers have celebrated their 'graduation ' from secondary school by hiring a limousine to travel to their prom in style . But it seems that they have nothing on their Mexican peers . 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 . Sofia , 15 , is just one of many teens who marked her coming of age - or 'quinceañera ' - by riding in not one , but several , super-bling limos with gaggles of friends , wearing matching suits and party frocks , joining in the fun . Scroll down for video . It 's my party ! Young Sofia , 15 , is pictured wearing a flamenco-style cerise dress riding in an open-top SUV-limo hybrid . The glammed-up teen celebrated her quinceañera - transition into womanhood - with a lavish party . Is it a car , is it a nightclub ? Another teen , Ariadna , smiles as she takes a seat in a lavender limo , which comes with shiny ceiling and strip lighting - perfect for partying teens . Parties to mark a girl 's quinceañera have become increasingly lavish with parents splashing out huge sums to ensure their youngster has a party to remember . However , it is n't just 'bank of mum and dad ' that pays for the event , other relatives are called upon to 'sponsor ' certain elements , for example , the cake or the DJ . Such is the pomp and ceremony of these excessive bashes , you could be forgiven for thinking that you 're looking at a garish wedding party . Even the attending boys go to town , taking care to coordinate their looks with the birthday girl . Much like the American prom , the celebrating girl can expect a date , with her betrothed often appearing like a mini-groom , wearing an outfit that has been planned to match hers . The birthday cake is likely to be just as eye-catching with 'the bigger , the better ' the remit . Other trends include hiring a choreographer to make sure everything from the girl 's entrance into the room to her first dance has a professional touch . Open the roof and let 's go ! Partygoers climb inside the SUV-limo hybrid as guests make their way to a quinceañera birthday party . An early lesson in how to get in and out of a vehicle in style : One birthday girl , wearing a billowing turquoise dress , climbs aboard her limo . Mind the dress : Other female revellers offer a helping hand , their own party dresses somewhat sober in comparison . Let 's hear it for the boys : Complementing this birthday girl 's colour scheme were her male friends , who looked smart in braces and bowties . The brighter , the better : Leticia , dressed in a bright pink evening gown has her own moment in the spotlight , posing in a limo that has zebra-skin seats and even a bar facility . Video courtesy of signaturefilmsphotography.com . Latin American communities in the US take quinceañera just as seriously with many girls incorporating popular films into their dresses . For example , when Disney released the hit film Frozen in 2014 , it prompted a surge of Elsa-inspired dresses . At the other end of the spectrum , indigenous tribes in jungle communities in the likes of Gueatemala would celebrate in a much simpler fashion . It 's all a far cry from the more humble traditions of quinceañera . According to folklore , in the months before turning 15 , a daughter would be taught skills to prepare her for ensuing marriage including cooking , weaving and even tips about how to bring up her own children . It is thought that quinceañera has its roots in ancient Aztec culture . 15 is the number : Quinceañera is celebrated differently in different countries but is essentially a coming-of-age party . 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 . 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 . In the past , a girl celebrating her quinceañera would be preparing for marriage and offered advice from older females on how best to equip herself for womanhood . Skills considered essential for being a good wife , for example sewing , cooking , cleaning and taking care of infants would be learned . At her quinceañera , the girl is 'presented ' to her community and may be expected to make a speech . After an 'acceptance ' of the girl , the party-goers would then pray before a meal is served . Although most historians agree that the celebration has its roots in Aztec culture , how it is celebrated now depends very much on the country the girl grows up in . For many , religion still plays a part and parties are more conservative . Latin American communities in the US take quinceañera just as seriously with many girls incorporating popular films into their dresses . For example , when Disney released the hit film Frozen in 2014 , it prompted a surge of Elsa-inspired dresses . At the other end of the spectrum , indigenous tribes in jungle communities in the likes of Guatemala or Peru would celebrate in a much simpler fashion .
Teenage girls in Monterrey , Mexico , are hiring fleets of limos to carry them to lavish birthday celebrations . The 'quinceañera ' party marks traditional transition into womanhood and is celebrated in Latin American culture . Comment: