Los Angeles Times | Top Trends of 2011

This is interesting:

The Los Angeles Times listed their Top 10 fashion trends of 2011, and 'Native Accents' show up as #4 (hey, at least they list us on a sacred number).

They explain: "Fair Isle knits and Native American prints were splashed across everything from 1980s-era cropped tops, to chunky scarves, leggings and sweaters. If you're looking for the source, think back to the fall 2010 D&G runway (a Fair Isle fest as seen in the top right photo), Proenza Schouler's fall 2011 collection inspired by Santa Fe, and the music festivals."

There you have it folks, Native people, tribes, and their cultural heritages are not the source of inspiration for Native accents. Nope, Dolce and Gabbana and Proenza Schouler are. The Los Angeles Times has completely erased us from the mix. Thanks guys.

Ok, now let's compare this 2011 post, with a 1952 snippet from the Los Angeles Times:

Nearly 60 years ago, references to the Native were also 'rampant' in the fashion scene. The difference, however, is that in the 1950s, the Los Angeles Times decided to feature a Native fashion designer (instead of non-Natives who are inspired by 'the Native'). Lloyd Kiva New (Cherokee) was an important fashion designer in the 1950s.

The caption reads, "This is going to be an Indian summer. The growing influence of the Southwest is responsible for the American Indian theme rampant in current sportswear. This two-piece dress by Lloyd Kiva, of Scottsdale, Ariz. (a Cherokee Indian himself), illustrates the trend. It's made of cactus-green and desert-sand wool with hand-woven trim." - Joan Short

So, the difference is that the LA Times featured a Native designer to illustrate the trend back then, but chooses not to today.

I think a top trend of 2011 is straight up Native appropriation.

Upcoming Film | LA Fashion and Culture

Upcoming film

Hawaii Sovereignty Filmmaker now turns camera on Fashion Culture in Los Angeles.

One of the goals of "Hawaii A Voice For Sovereignty" by filmmaker Catherine Bauknight and the Native Hawaiian people, is to enlighten the world of the truth of Hawai'i Nei.

"Connecting Cultures" is the core vision of Award-winning filmmaker Catherine Bauknight, who has started filming a documentary about Los Angeles fashion and culture. The project is Executive Produced by Fashion Los Angeles, the new global platform for Los Angeles fashion. This cutting edge documentary will launch at the first official Fashion Los Angeles, forFall/Winter 2011 collections, February 1-7, 2011. We will find out why Los Angeles is becoming the hub for fashion in the US, how it relates to history, film, and the indigenous people who are located here including the Native Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Hispanic cultures."

Bauknight says "We are continuing the unity of understanding culture through fashion in Los Angeles. Cultures throughout the world are based here for a reason.

The film will explore the culture of fashion through intimate interviews and insights into the lifestyles and processes of designers, the inspirations for their work, and the community of people who are behind the scenes to increase the communication and support of the world of fashion in Los Angeles, as Fashion Los Angeles creates a global platform.

The making of the documentary will develop a stage for social communication through webisodes, and the internet. This venue of documentation and webisodes will build and connect the community of Los Angeles and fashion as awareness of each grows. The cultural, economic, and social connection within the two communities will be bridged during this process of documentation of growth, creating a greater sense of identity for Los Angeles today and historically through the voices of the people.

"Our journey through the history and future of fashion will be an extraordinary experience through this documentary film" says Bauknight. The premiere will be held at Fashion Los Angeles, between February 1-7, 2011. The documentary will then travel throughout the world to be screened at film festivals.

For more information about the film please contact:
Jeff Warrington.
press@fashionweek.la
or
Catherine Bauknight
Othila Media Productions
cbauknight@othilamedia.com
www.catherinebauknight.com

Catherine Bauknight
Anna - Catawba Tribe
Photograph