Fashion Leaders Bridge Cultural Divides at NOMAD Two Worlds

(Fashion designer Donna Karan, Australian Nyungar elder Dr. Richard Walley, and photographer Russell James pose on the red carpet during the NOMAD Two Worlds gallery premiere. James collaborated with many Australian, Native American, and Haitian artists to bring the L.A. collection to reality.)

Fashion Leaders Bridge Cultural Divides at NOMAD Two Worlds
(Adapted from an article by Katherine Peach/Special to LAist)

The fashion world merged with the deep cultural background of Australia's Indigenous heritage to create a show of modern music, art and fashion. The politically charged exhibit NOMAD: Two Worlds embodied the positive message of Reconciliation from the ashes of a tragic cultural devastation.

The collaborative exhibition focused on the cultural divide experienced by Australia’s Indigenous people, a reality witnessed by fashion photographer and Australian native Russell James. The exhibit featured art, music and film that James has worked with for more than a decade.

NOMAD has been on a world tour with the help of some powerful friends this time around. The event is presented by Richard Branson, the mogul of Virgin Airlines and V Australia his newest international airline. Fashion designer Donna Karan joined with URBAN ZEN Foundation, a charitable organization dedicated to the preservation and celebration of Indigenous cultures worldwide. And then Barbra Streisand showed up. A good friend of the fashion philanthropists, the songstress sent the gallery into a frenzy turning the hot spot night into the place to be.




James is best known for his provocative work capturing Victoria's Secret models backstage or his work for Sports Illustrated filming some of the most beautiful women in the world on glistening, sandy beaches. NOMAD in L.A. showcases many beautiful women, including Heidi Klum, Adriana Lima and Estella Warren in an underwater video, in sweeping landscapes accented with colorful tribal symbols representative of different spiritual beliefs.

The photographs are organic and vibrant while incorporating very modern elements. Australian, Native American and Haitian Indigenous artists, including Australian artist Clifton Bieundurry, have collaborated with James to create a set of hybrid art pieces, many which premiered in L.A. for the first time. The beauty of the pieces is a superficial jump from the engraved faces of Indigenous men of earlier collections.

NOMAD: Two Worlds started in 1999 in New York, the project took a pivotal turn when then Prime Minister Kevin Rudd apologized to Indigenous Australians for the mistreatment and genocide by the government endured for generations. The exhibition strives to embrace a long cultural history and move forward with the idea of recovery ad Reconciliation. James along with leaders from the Indigenous community joined with Will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas, Hugh Jackman and Donna Karan to create the first collaborative effort in 2009.
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Donna Karan Collaborates with Australian Artist

(Nomad: Two Worlds photography exhibit)

Donna Karan does it again! -

Back in 2002, New York fashion giant Donna Karan collaborated with Cochiti fashion designer Virgil Ortiz to create garments that fused her tailoring with his pottery designs. Now, she has collaborated with artist Clifton Bieundurry, a Walmajarri artist from the central Kimberley region of Australia, on 10 one-of-a-kind batik-print cashmere-and-silk scarves.

(Donna Karan and Virgil Ortiz collaboration)

(Donna Karan/Clifton Bieundurry scarf)

The collaboration is part of a larger art exhibit called "Nomad: Two Worlds" which features the art of Australian photographer Russell James who partnered with Indigenous artists to create new works of art.

About the Nomad show, Karan said, "To experience the spirit of these people, to see and feel the craft and wisdom of their traditions, is to understand why we must bring their artistry to the world. We must illuminate, educate and raise awareness while cultures like this still exist."

The show is currently on display in Los Angeles, and Karan will speak in a panel discussion with UCLA professor Jessica Cattelino, and Richard Walley, a Noongar Indigenous Australian elder, on additional topics relating to the challenges faced by Native cultures in the modern world.

Some of the proceeds from sales will benefit Karan's UrbanZen foundation, which helps preserve Native cultures, among other endeavors.

There's two main reasons why I love Donna Karan. First, she collaborates with Indigenous artists and she names them. She doesn't do a generic "oh I'm inspired by the beautiful cultures of Native Americans." She collaborates with individuals, and she gives them credit. Secondly, she supports various programs and organizations that benefit Indigenous peoples. Many non-Native designers profit greatly from their Native-inspired collections, yet they never give back. They continue the colonial legacy of profitting from the packaging and selling of Native cultures. I hope other non-Native designers will follow Karan's lead.

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