Video | Rhymes and Runways

Here's the vid from the Rhymes & Runways Fashion Show held during Gathering of Nations 2011. The fashion show featured designers Sho Sho Esquiro, Tracy Toulouse, Alano Edzerza, Penny Singer, Wavanoonkwe Cameron-Hernandez, and Jolene Chee.

Review | RED Runway Fashion Show

RED Runway Fashion Show
by Brenton Bluehouse
NATV 450

A backdrop of loudly tattered beat music played inside as it covered what was already playing hip-hop old school connection of 90’s tunes outside in the bar that would be the setting for the RED Runway fashion design premier. Club 405 was probably not the best venue to hold such an event, but when it comes to the Gathering of Nations weekend, it’s almost necessary to be where you know the brown masses are going to congregate and be there ready to show your stuff.

Being that this would be my first formal experiment with a fashion show in Native America, I went in with no expectations but a good time and a glimpse into the world of Native fashion. With the beautiful landscape use of Native Model Studios USA and Canada, on the list of showing their fashion would be a number of talented fashion designers such as: Carol Melting Tallow, Alano Edzera, ShoSho Designs, Redhand Apparel, & more as the listing stated.

It was hard to determine when and where the fashion show started. Originally slated to begin at 9:30 pm, the first model strutted her style across the floor after the strike of midnight. Models slowly with some muffle, entered the bar via the bar room around the bar, into the dance floor, out onto the patio where a strip of waiting onlookers gazed with outstretched eyes and cameras. I was just happy that the venue started and the gorgeous models moved their fabrics towards me. There was a display of simple everyday wear with the print designs of tribal work. Prints with that of feathers, eagles, and the red designs that cover the Northwestern tribes of the U.S. What did catch my eye were the jackets with varied color and design. Old patterns of squares and stars mixed with contrasting colors of yellow and pink with sleeves of dainty cross lines of simple black and white. These jackets were the highlight of the show in my opinion. As some model shows last, this one was very fast but interesting in my eyes. As I return to look at the event, the goal is to promote the existence of Native fashion, and to make out the realization for those out there that the Native scene in fashion design and ‘lore is getting stronger with every stitch.

Afterwards, I spoke with one of the photographers of the evening Larry Price and he stated to me that one of the fashion designers had just flown in from Canada whom they were waiting for. That was the reason for the delay in the show. In the end the show for myself did not live up to its fashion and flare of its poster. I expected more coordination on behalf of the promoters and not just the walking out of the models in unawared connection. I have to applaud the efforts of the people involved and the models for waiting almost three hours later for the show to begin. With utter beginnings such as this one, I am not certain if the promoters should be looking for other jobs and the designers better venues to show case their marvelous talents. For they can only go higher from this point.

GON 2011 Review | Gathering of Nations Powwow

This past semester I taught a course at the University of New Mexico titled Native American Adornment. It was an upper division course in Native American Studies and Anthropology, and it focused on Native American practices of adornment from prehistory to the present. Throughout the term, we investigated the creative, social, political and cultural aspects of decorating the body.

It was a terrific class, and I had a group of bright students who enthusiastically took on the course requirements and did an amazing job. One of the requirements was to attend Native fashion or cultural events, and write a succinct review. The purposes of the assignment were to get students to view the garments on the body and in motion, to see and experience the community aspects of clothing and adornment, and to get students to think critically about these events.

I want to share a few of their reviews over the duration of the next week, and here is the first review by Brenton Bluehouse:

Gathering of Nations Pow Wow

It is probably one of the greatest showcases of indigenous peoples gathering in the world, and depending on what your view is of this pow wow, it still is a spectacle to see and be a part of. Every year thousands of individuals make there way to Albuquerque, New Mexico for the Gathering of Nations Pow Wow to be included in what has become a showing of quasi-indianism in the United States. If you are not a dancer, you’re a family member of a dancer and if your not participating in the pow wow, you have come to the pow wow to listen and watch the high sound and colorful costume. For thousands of people come to share their personal expressions of themselves and their culture.

This year with the remodeling of The Pit here in Albuquerque, it has become more of a relaxed setting for many. Halls are not crowded and access is comforting. People come to this event with shutter speeds set to high and consent forms just in case, to take pictures of the regalia, costumes and meaningful conclusions of the thousands of dancers on display. Each individual lays down a significant pattern of style to each of what they wear across their body. Each person is of a different tribe descending from parts all over the country. Each person in detail carries a history of themselves and their people in the personal design of their outfit, as they are the fashion creators. Even though that tradition and culture may not have included itself in each persons history with the pow wow, times change, and now it serves as a tribalization of oneself.

In what is the official kick off to a pow wow, the grand entry gives a beautiful display of what the night has to offer. All of the dancers and singers get the chance to loudly welcome themselves to the arena and come together as one, to join each other in color and warmth. Each come to dance and sing in hide, wing and color. Eagle feathers drape themselves in accordance with the northern traditional men. Deer hide and with color are carried in strong context in the women’s tradition northern cloth category. As they listen and dance in succession, the long exaggerated fringe from their blankets never touch the floor, but swing front to back to compliment the beat of the drum. To the jingle dress dancers, as onlookers we cannot see the detail of each curved piece of metal, but can hear in its entirety the continued beat of the woman inside that dress.

The goal of a pow wow is a chance for indigenous peoples to come together in celebration of itself and its individual expression. Some pow wow’s post high dollar in competition to bring the best dancers. Some dancers go where the money is to compete and gain such accolades. For whatever reason people come to the Gathering of Nations Pow Wow, it gives me a good feeling to know that there are tribal people uniting under one roof to talk, laugh, and change in view the sights and sounds of a continued people in these modern times. Where else are you going to get an actual “Navajo Taco” made by Navajos for $8.00?

GON 2011 Turquoise Soul

Ah, it's always good to run into amazing Anish peeps, and Wabanoonkwe Cameron-Hernandez is one aaamaaaazing woman. She is the creative mind behind Turquoise Soul - the blingin' beaded jewelry biz that came close to selling out during GON.

I first met Wabanoonkwe through photographer Thosh Collins who sent me photos that he snapped of model Amberae Wood rockin some Turquoise Soul beaded earrings (click here to see the pics and my designer profile on her). Wabanoonkwe invited me to tag along on their latest photoshoot where I finally met her and fashion designer Sho Sho Esquiro (click here to see the 'behind-the-scenes' post).

(Wabanoonkwe at her booth in the tents at GON)

(India Lowry Jones, Wabanoonkwe, me, and Wabanoonkwe's sister and model Miigwaans Cameron at the Rhymes and Runways event)

(India and I earlier in the night - getting many compliments on our Turquoise Soul earrings)

GON 2011 Vans x Pendleton

Check out this special collaboration that Vans did with Nibwaakaawin for the Gathering of Nations Powwow and All Nations Skate Jam.

These shoes premiered last year at ANSJ 2010 and sold out within hours.

For the 2011 event, Vans created several limited edition SK8-HIs, Classic Slip-Ons and Chukka Lows using Pendleton fabrics. Proceeds from the sale of the sneakers will go towards Nibwaakaawin’s fundraising efforts – a Native non-profit organization whose goal is to empower Native youth through skateboarding.

The ANSJ website stated, "A limited selection of styles and sizes from the original runs, (Skate Jam and Indian Summer 2010) is still available for purchase. Contact shoes@allnationsskatejam.com to order a pair."

GON 2011 Beadwork on Crack

As we walked around the GON vendors in the tents, we noticed table after table of crazy cool beadwork, and one of my friends (can't remember who!) stated, "Woah... it's like beadwork on crack..."

See what we mean:

Sadly, I didn't get the names of the sellers - I guess you'll just have to go to GON 2012 to check it out for yourself!

GON 2011 Tracy Toulouse

Stylin' Indians! They were everywhere at GON. I definitely didn't get snaps of them all, but here's some! And here is a quick post on one of my favorite fashionistas - Tracy Toulouse!

Hailing from the North shores area in Northern Ontario, Toulouse is a member of the Sagamok Anishnawbek First Nation.

Toulouse shows her work throughout Canada and is known for her modern fashion lines as well as for her creation of elaborate and intricate custom regalia for clients.

She shared a booth with Wabanoonkwe Cameron-Hernandez (the brains and style behind Turquoise Soul - more to come on this), and she brought some fabulous Ojibwe fashion designs to the powwow scene.

I snatched up one of her red jackets and wore it out to the NMS Red Runway event held at the 405 Lounge on Central, where I met up with Tina and Andrea (who both make super fresh earrings (aka, you can expect a future post on these gals)).

Click here to read the Beyond Buckskin Designer Profile on Tracy Toulouse. You can also find her on Akwekon.

GON 2011 Stylin' Indians

Coming to you from Albuquerque, New Mexico - it's the Gathering of Nations 2011 recap! (or, the beginning of it...)

Every year at the end of the April, millions of Indians from throughout the world come together for the biggest powwow in the universe. Ok, maybe not millions of Indians, and maybe they're only from this continent, and maybe NABI is a lil bigger than this powwow, but you get the picture.

Over the duration of the next few days I'll be posting pics of some STYLIN' Indians spotted at the GON powwow and events. Super fresh. Stay tuned. Until then, here's a pic of the Grand Entry on Friday night:

Fashion Events at Gathering of Nations 2011

It's that time of year again, and everyone is gearing up for Gathering of Nations, with pre-GON events kicking off tonight!

If you're in the Albuquerque area, check out these Fashion Events:

Event | Fight and Fashion

Will you be attending Gathering of Nations this year?
If so - check out the Fight and Fashion Entertainment Mixer hosted by Indigenous Image:

Come join us for a night of fun, fashion, and fights!! The event will have a fashion show which will showcase the best native designers from the US and Canada including:

-Danitaz Designz by Danita Straberri
-CPascual Designs by Consuelo Pascual
-Mildj Fashion by Mildred Carpenter
-Martini Couture by D. Martin

The show will also feature an amateur mixed martial arts championship featuring fighters from different respective tribes.

Friday, April 23, 2010 at 9:30pm
The Wool Warehouse - downtown Albuquerque
518 1st street southwest