Event | Heard Museum Fashion Show

Ah yes! A fashion event in Phoenix - check it out:

Trendsetting Native American couture to highlight Heard Museum fashion show

Explore the color, glamor and cutting-edge excitement of Native American couture and jewelry at Native Style: Where Fashion is Heard, the Heard Museum’s fashion show, boutique and luncheon, on Friday, December 2. Native contemporary designs by Orlando Dugi, Penny Singer and Patricia Michaels will ignite the runway, accessorized by stunning jewelry from top designers like Victoria Adams, Marian Denipah, the Gaussoin family, Kenneth Johnson, Steve LaRance, Duane Maktima and Wes Willie. The show will also provide a rare opportunity to view vintage couture by iconic Native American designers Lloyd Kiva New, Kay Bennett and others—all from the collection of Robert Black, proprietor of Scottsdale’s retro-chic boutique Fashion by Robert Black.

“Fashion is a living art form that impacts our daily lives,” commented Heard Museum President Dr. Letitia Chambers. “The Heard is honored to celebrate the contribution that American Indians have made, and continue to make, to the world of fashion. The museum’s collection includes classic pieces by mid-century designers like Lloyd Kiva New and Charles Loloma, but the Heard has also always been dedicated to exhibiting and promoting the work of living contemporary artists. Native Style provides a great opportunity to do so in a way that’s engaging and fun.”

Native Style kicks off at 10:30 a.m. with a reception and pre-sale, followed by a delectable lunch and runway show. Music will be provided by leading Canyon Records recording artists Radmilla Cody, Aaron White and Anthony Wakeman. Fashions and jewelry by many designers represented in the runway show will be available for purchase at a private boutique sale, which then opens to the public at 2 p.m.

“We’re proud to represent some of today’s hottest Native trendsetters in a visually stunning event,” noted Heard Museum Art Director Phil Conley. “This will be a fashion show unlike the rest, and the only place to see the finest in Native style.”

Native Style
Where Fashion is Heard
Friday, Dec. 2
10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Tickets are $45 for Heard Museum members
$50 for non-members

Call Dani Boone at 602.346.8192 to purchase tickets.

Orlando Dugi 2011 Collections

I ran into Orlando Dugi when I was in Santa Fe last week, and I wanted to post some of his recent work, because it is absolutely stunning. Dugi is a Navajo beadworker who creates elegant, lavish and sexy dresses, purses, and other accessories. All of his garments and purses pictured below are modeled by the lovely and talented Miss Wakeah Jhane Myers (Comanche/Blackfeet/Kiowa), who is also a champion powwow dancer.

Heavenly Seduction handbag by Orlando Dugi

Celestial Phoenix box purse by Orlando Dugi and Rebecca T. Begay.

Clutches and handbag by Orlando Dugi.
TOP: Stingray flowers on white pebbled leather, silk lining, size 13' Czech cut beads. Middle: Caiman crocodile leather on white pebbled leather, silk lining, size 13' Czech cut beads. Bottom: Single bead stitch on entire image of the stargazer lily with contoured background. Outer shell in white patent leather, sterling silver hardware, 4 ft ss chain, Mabe pearl clasp.

Dugi also has a fashion show coming up at the Museum of Contemporary Native Arts. Dubbed 'Opulance,' the show will also feature work by the Gaussoins (if you can't make it, don't worry, I'll try my best to post a review).

Orlando Dugi / Indian Market 2011 Radio Ad by SWAIA

Click here to learn more about Orlando Dugi.

Santa Fe Indian Market 2011 Fashion Events

Ok ya'll! It's August! Well, it's been August for over a week now, but I'm just now catching on. And since it's August, that means Beyond Buckskin will be featuring information about the upcoming Santa Fe Indian Market, to be held August 20-21, 2011.

Now, if you know anything about Indian Market, you'll know that the fun stuff isn't just on Saturday and Sunday, it is also on the days preceding the event.

I'm very excited about this year, because there will be fashion-related events on Thursday, Friday, and Sunday (What's that? No Saturday? Well, I'll find some 'fashionable' Indians to spotlight on this blog as a 'Saturday Night Special' of sorts - yea?! **NOTE: I found a Saturday fashion event! See the addition below).

Here's the list of events that you can catch me at!:

WHAT: Opulance Fashion Reception
WHEN: Thursday, August 18, from 5-7pm
WHERE: Museum of Contemporary Native Arts
DEETS: A Fashion event not to be missed. The Tsosie-Gaussoin designers, Connie Tsosie Gaussoin, David Gaussoin, and Wayne Nez Gaussoin collaborate with Orlando Dugi, for a special Pre-NDN market premiere. Experience a rare collection of work, that is an exception to the standards. Enjoy live Models, Art, Music, Food, n Fun. Free event.

WHAT: The Wheelwright Museum's Annual Art for Wear Event
WHEN: Friday, August 19, from 10:30am–12:30pm
WHERE: The Wheelwright Museum
DEETS: The museum hasn't posted an official press release yet, but typically, the Art for Wear showcase hosts some of the premier Native fashion designers. In the past, these designers have included Patricia Michaels, Pilar Agoyo, Penny Singer, Teri Greeves, Margaret Roach Wheeler, and TahNibaa Naat'aanii. The casual atmosphere makes for a great opportunity to meet and talk with the designers (and try on some of the gear!). What's also cool is that the museum's store, the Case Trading Post has some dope Loloma jewelry (pictured above).

WHAT: Fashion Show, Fashion Party, Indian Market 2011
WHEN: Friday, August 19, starting at 7:30pm
WHERE: El Farol, 808 Canyon Road
DEETS: Three Navajo fashion designers get together to host a fashion event during Indian Market. Designers include Martini Couture, Walter Barney, and Consuelo Pascual. Gary Blackchild and guests performing. Sound and Lighting by The Sound Gallery. Model Management Group, ROMERO ENT.

WHAT: Northwest Coast Traditional/Contemporary Fashion Review
WHEN: Saturday, August 20, at 2pm
WHERE: The Sealaska Pavilion in Cathedral Park across from MoCNA
DEETS: The Native nonprofit Sealaska Heritage Institute (SHI) and its founder Sealaska Corporation are planning Native art demonstrations, art sales, dance-and-cultural performances and a high fashion show to spotlight the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian cultures of Southeast Alaska. Hoonah’s Louise Kadinger will showcase Tlingit fur and skin sewing and Sitka’s Nicholas Galanin will feature Tlingit silver works. Contemporary work from Haida designer Dorothy Grant from Vancouver will be featured in a fashion show as well as Kadinger’s sea otter wear. Besides performing six dances, the St. Elias troupe dancers will also showcase their traditional regalia.

WHAT: SWAIA Indian Market Native American Clothing Contest
WHEN: Sunday, August 21, from 9am-12pm.
WHERE: Santa Fe Plaza
DEETS: Indian Market’s Clothing Contest is a visually inspiring competition with over 125 contestants and 18 design categories. Traditional categories will be judged by seven distinguished Native American judges from various tribes as well as a celebrity judge for the Contemporary categories. (And I'll be volunteering!)

If more events pop up, I'll be sure to update this list. Cheerio!

Native Fashion and Clothing at the Cherokee Art Market

Omigoodness, look at these beautiful pictures from the 2010 Cherokee Art Market. You can view more of their images by visiting the Cherokee Nation Cultural Tourism facebook page. Enjoy!

Orlando Dugi - Feathered Frenzy

Penny Singer

Martha Berry - Honoring the Warriors

Gary B. Custer - Navajo Concho Belt

Lauren Frank

Tahninbaa Naataanii - Navajo Chief Blanket

Margaret Roach Wheeler - Beloved One

Orlando Dugi Purse on the Oscar Red Carpet

Native actress Kateri Walker walked onto the Red Carpet at the 83rd Annual Oscars holding Navajo bead artist and fashion designer Orlando Dugi's "Regal Dignity" peacock purse.

Kateri Walker is a tribal member of the Chippewa of the Thames First Nation in Ontario and the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan. She recently starred in Shelley Niro’s directorial debut of the Mohawk feature film, Kissed by Lightning (2009). You can see the trailer of Kissed by Lightning on YouTube when you search the title.


"Regal Dignity" - Evening peacock purse. Fully beaded front with vintage beads sizes 22, 18 and 15. Also size 13 Czech cut beads, size 15 copper metal beads, size 13 24 kt gold electroplated glass beads, 18 kt gold wire, Israli cut aqua marine beads. Back completely hand sewn ostrich and peacock feathers and Swarovski crystals and white velvet. Inside is lined with an iridescent purple dupioni silk. Front images completely beaded one single bead at a time. (Photo by SWAIA.)

Click here to read more about Orlando Dugi.

Santa Fe Indian Market 2010: Part 3 Native American Clothing Contest

It dawned on me that I never posted the pictures from the SWAIA Santa Fe Indian Market Native American Clothing Contest that was held last August in Santa Fe.

Among the many cherished traditions at the Santa Fe Indian Market, the Native American Clothing Contest (NACC) is one of the most beloved and anticipated events. For over twenty years, the NACC has been the most photographed event at the Santa Fe Indian Market. The contest includes categories for traditional and contemporary Native American fashions, features children and adult participants, and awards prizes in over 20 categories.

I volunteered for the event along with my friend Consuelo Pascual. We had a great time checking out all of the behind-the-scenes action - at one point she grabbed me from my post to check out the collection made Racquel Begay (see below). It was fun to do an event with people who have a true passion for traditional and contemporary Native fashion.

My main job was to keep the photographers at bay. Professional, semi-pro, and amateurs all love this event, and the select few of us had to make sure all photographers had a Press Pass before they took any pictures (and that they weren't rude and pushy whilst snapping). All proceeds from the sales of the Press Passes go towards the planning and organizing of future shows. Meanwhile, I was snappin' away like crazy.

(Racquel Begay)

(Collaboration by designers Dallin Maybee and Laura Sheppherd)

(Dress by Patricia Michaels)

(Penny Singer)

(Clothes by Penny Singer and Dorothy Grant)

(Outfit by Dorothy Grant)

(Winning design by Orlando Dugi)

If you ever get the chance, definitely check out the show, it is held every Sunday during Indian Market, starting at 9am.

For other posts about Indian Market, click here to read Santa Fe Indian Market 2010: Part I, and here to read Santa Fe Indian Market 2010: Part 2 Wheelwright Art-for-Wear Showcase.

(all images my own, unless otherwise noted as those by swaia.org)

Artist Profile | Orlando Dugi

This past weekend I had the great opportunity to meet Orlando Dugi. I first noticed his work at the Best of Show Reception – which highlighted all of the award-winning artwork. Dugi won two Honorable Mention awards for his 'Tropic Midnight' evening bag and his 'Exquisite Virility' cocktail purse.

I found this bio:

"My name is Orlando Dugi. I am Navajo from the Towering House Clan, born for the Bitterwater people. I am originally from Gray Mountain Arizona, currently living in Taylorsville City, Utah. I have been doing beadwork for just over 20 years. At a young age I remember seeing my father and my grandmothers creating beadwork items for sale. When I was 8, I decided to try it for myself. From then on I began making various things including powwow regalia for myself as well as my sister and niece. I am now focusing upon merging into the art industry, currently working on a series of elegant evening accessories. My work is contemporary in which I like to capture the different subtle changes of color on the surface of these different objects."

Dugi creates fantastic purses, earrings, and hats, and he's working on breaking into couture – I can't wait to see what ideas he has for garments!

(all photos were taken by me at the Heard Indian Market)