That Is One Mega-Cute Baby Bonnet

‎Pictured above is American fashion designer Tom Ford with the 2011 Santa Fe Indian Market Native American Clothing Contest Best of Show Winner and the First Place Contemporary Adult Female Winner (in Santa Fe at the annual August Indian Market event).

Ford said that he particularly was pleased with the recipient of the first-place award for Contemporary Female Adult, Naomi Bebo Maybee (Menominee/Hochunk), who wore a Japanese-Native American fusion kimono with ledger art applique, designed by her mother-in-law, Toni Williams. He was also pleased with 1-year-old Persephone Maybee, daughter of Naomi and artist Dallin Maybee (Arapaho/Seneca), who took Female Best in Show with a head-to-toe outfit created by her father. The little pink ensemble included a split horn baby bonnet and elk tooth dress with matching beadwork.

Video | Patricia Michaels Guerrilla Fashion Parade

Tom Ford Weighs in on Indian Market Clothing Contest

(Malachi CD Tsoodle-Nelson received Honorable Mention in the Traditional category of the Native American Clothing Contest at Indian Market. - Natalie Guillén/The New Mexican)

Ford weighs in on Indian Market clothing contest
Kay Lockridge | For The New Mexican
August 21, 2011

Tom Ford, fashion designer extraordinaire and award-winning film director and producer, had to be convinced to join the panel of judges for the annual Native American Clothing Contest at Indian Market.

"Yes, it's true, Richard [Richard Buckley, fashion journalist and Ford's partner of 25 years] did persuade me to be a judge this year, but he won't ever have to persuade me again. I'll be happy to come back whenever they [Southwestern Association for Indian Arts] want me.

"It was so much fun to be part of the contest. I had been to the competition in the past but only as an observer. It's really important to support and encourage Native American arts, and that includes clothing," Ford said.

Buckley, who has sponsored the contest for the past four years and is a member of SWAIA, echoed Ford's words.

"The important thing is to encourage Native American culture and all the arts," Buckley said. "The clothing competition is my baby, and I wanted to share it with Tom. We've always made a good team."

When asked whether he found what he was looking for in terms of design elements, Ford responded enthusiastically, "Oh, yes! Good things are always good things and stand out. Good, creative design strikes a chord with people.

"This is true whether we're talking about traditional or contemporary design. What I found exceptional in the contemporary competition was that designers were faithful to traditional Native American elements and yet presented them with a new, fresh perspective."

Ford said that he particularly was pleased with the recipient of the first-place award in Contemporary Adult Women, Naomi Bebo Maybee (Menominee/Hochunk), who wore a Japanese-inspired kimono designed by her mother-in-law, Toni Williams, and 1-year-old Persephone Maybee, daughter of Naomi and artist Dallin Maybee (Arapaho/Seneca), who took Female Best in Show with a head-to-toe outfit created by her father.

"This was a family affair," Ford noted. "You could see the shared vision. I was quite taken with both outfits. This is what keeps me coming back," Ford said.

Jessica Growing-Thunder placed first in the Traditional category. - Natalie Guillén/The New Mexican

Persephone Maybee, 1, won Female Best of Show on Sunday at the Native American Clothing Contest. - Natalie Guillén/The New Mexican

Patricia Michaels Guerrilla Fashion Parade

Hey folks!
I'm just now somewhat bouncing back from my trip last weekend to Santa Fe where I checked out the SWAIA Indian Market. Showcasing over 1100 artists from 100 tribes, the Santa Fe Indian Market is the largest cultural event in New Mexico, attracting 100,000 visitors per year. The Indian Market features visual arts competitions, film screenings, musical performances, lectures, galas and much more. The fashion events are already getting press coverage - and here's one article on Patricia Michaels' guerilla-style fashion walk on the plaza last Saturday morning.

(Patricia Michaels and one of her models from her "Fashion Parade." Credits: Elizabeth R. Rose Photography.)

Santa Fe Indian Market - Market goes high fashion with model parade
Elizabeth Rose, Native American Jewelry and Art Examiner
August 20, 2011

If you were at Santa Fe Indian Market this morning you may have been treated to a high fashion parade of models sporting Patricia Michaels designs.

Patricia's leggy, white haired models paraded through the market this morning carrying huge floral pieces and parasols... all Patricia Michaels designs. It just goes to show you that Indian Market is going contemporary.... little by little.

(..Click here to read the rest of the article: Santa Fe Indian Market - Market goes high fashion with model parade)

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!

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)

Video | Santa Fe Indian Market

Check out this final film in a three part series: "Evolution of Indian Market" by IAIA student Leena Minifie.

Skip ahead to around the 6 minute mark to catch Patricia Michaels discussing the evolution of the Santa Fe Indian Market - she won best of category for textiles. This is important because for many years she didn't have a booth at Market because her art wasn't deemed "Indian enough".

Evolution of Indian Market from SWAIA on Vimeo.

Santa Fe Indian Market 2010: Part 2 Wheelwright Art-for-Wear Showcase

On Friday, August 20, the Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian hosted their annual benefit auction during the Santa Fe Indian Market.

Proceeds from the fundraiser support museum operations and allow the Wheelwright to remain open daily and free to the public.

During the auction preview, potential bidders could also view the Art-for-Wear Designer Showcase, which featured Native couture by top designers.

Back by popular demand, this year's showcase spotlighted Patricia Michaels, Pilar Agoyo, Penny Singer, Dorothy Grant, Teri Greeves, Margaret Roach Wheeler, and TahNibaa Naat'aanii.

I attended the event with my friend Sherry Farrell Racette, and we caught up with designers TahNibaa and Pilar, and volunteers Eslee and Yara.

Here's some pictures from the event!

(Dorothy Grant)

(Margaret Roach Wheeler)

(Dorothy Grant)

(Patricia Michaels)

(Patricia Michaels)

(Patricia Michaels)

(TahNibaa Naat'aanii)

(Terri Greeves)

(Penny Singer purple butterfly vest)

(TahNibaa Naat'aanii scarves)

(Pilar Agoyo pillows)

(Pilar Agoyo t-shirts)

For other posts about Indian Market, click here to read Santa Fe Indian Market 2010: Part I.

Santa Fe Indian Market 2010: Part I

(The artists of Postcommodity in front of their installation piece, which was, arguably, the most photographed piece of art during the Santa Fe Indian Market 2010)

Here we go!

Well, first things first -
I recently found out that I was awarded a University of New Mexico postdoc fellowship - which meant that I could move back to the land of enchantment. I love NM, almost as much as I love North Dakota. And right now, I really love being able to claim North Dakota AND New Mexico as my home.

As part of my 'big move' back down to New Mexi, I left ND last Monday and did practically the entire 1300 mile drive before I decided that I was lazy and grabbed a hotel room just a few hours from Santa Fe.

I arrived in Santa Fe on Tuesday, the day before the events of Indian Market were about to kick off. On Wednesday, I attended the Postcommodity reception for It Wasn’t the Dream of Golden Cities at the Museum of Contemporary Native Arts, and then the Institute of American Indian Arts Gala: "The '80s: A Totally Rad Revolution" (1980s themed!). The Postcommodity crew speaks rather eloquently about their work, and you can read more about this particular installation on their website.

Lara Evans has been covering Postcommodity's MoCNA installation on her blog, and she snapped this picture of me with my long-time friend Amber-Dawn Bear Robe, who is currently the Director of the Urban Shaman Gallery in Winnipeg. We are standing in front of the multimedia installation P’oe iwe navi ûnp’oe dînmuu (My Blood is in the Water). The graffiti in the background was done sometime the night before by an anonymous artist.

Amber-Dawn and I were all dressed up in our 1980s Gala gear. Both the president of IAIA, Dr. Bob Martin, and the president of the student government, Mylan Tootoosis, said that the Gala was a success and raised thousands of dollars for future IAIA student scholarships. In fact, they raised the most this year than any other year.

I spent Thursday in meetings during the day, then I attended the MoCNA exhibit openings where I caught up with artists Doug Miles, Frank Buffalo Hyde, Yatika Fields, Thomas Marcus, Rose Simpson, Razelle Benally, Chris Eyre, Sherry Farrell Racette, Sonya Kelliher-Combs, Lara Evans, Erica Lord, the Postcommodity artists, Joanna Big Feather, and many many many others. MoCNA's ability to draw the best of the best when it comes to art exhibits and discussion panels made it our favorite hang-out spot during Market.





Traffic in Santa Fe was insane that day, and so I didn't make it out to the Tsosie Gaussoin's Axiom fashion and jewelry show at the Poeh Museum (which was located outside of town), but, luckily, Lara and Erica hopped onto their scooter (in skirts!) and were able to make it to the opening. They shared these wonderful images with me:






All of this happened before Market even 'officially' started - and I have much more to post! Next up will be a breakdown of the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday events...