by Evan C. Gutierrez
Flans were a Mexican pop group, consisting of
Ilse Maria Olivo Schewein Furth (originally from Venezuela, born in 1965),
Ivonne Margarita Guevara Garcia (Mexico City, born in 1961), and
Irma "mimi" Hernández Ochoa (Monterrey, born in 1962). The group was dreamed into being by agent/producer
Mildred Villafañe, whose grand vision centered around elements like eccentric clothing, sugar-pop music, and complex choreography. It was this combination that won them widespread approval and success, incited by their appearance on the popular TV program Siempre en Domingo. Their 1985 debut, entitled
Flans, reached audiences not only in Mexico, but all over Latin America, and soon sold over 100,000 copies. Their follow-up record,
20 Millas, which featured the hit song "Timido," was met with even greater success, opening doors that led to touring all over the U.S. and Latin America. Released in 1987, their third album proved the most successful yet --
Luz Y Sombra went platinum thanks to radio hits like "Las Mil y una Noche" and "Corre, Corre." After the 1988 release of
Alma Gemela,
Flans changed course slightly, and recorded an album dedicated to their younger fans. The kid's record
Cuéntamelo Dum-dum announced the death of any real credibility that
Flans had among adult audiences. The group disbanded in 1990 with the release of its sixth record, entitled
Adíos. Nine years later the ladies of
Flans reunited for the production of a seventh disc,
Hadas. In hopes of escaping their somewhat silly reputation,
Ilse,
Ivonne, and
Mimi abandoned the name
Flans in favor of
Iim. The group traveled Mexico and the U.S., celebrating its anniversary with a tour called 20 Millas Despues. ~ Evan C. Gutierrez, All Music Guide