Collab: Sho Sho Esquiro and Turquoise Soul

I've been slackin'!

So, if you recall, I had an awesome opportunity to tag along on a photoshoot this past summer with Wabanoonkwe Cameron-Hernandez and Sho Sho Esquiro, who were working with photographer Anthony Thosh Collins and models Amberae Wood and Miigwaans Cameron. Click here to see my behind-the-scenes images before you scroll down to check out the awesome pro images that came out of that shoot:

Miigwaans Cameron models a Pendleton Leather Graff Zip-up by Sho Sho Esquiro Clothing, and large beaded hoop earrings and beaded bracelet by Turquoise Soul. Hair and Make-up by Wabanoonkwe Cameron-Hernandez. Photo by Anthony Thosh Collins. Location: Cochiti, NM.

Amberae Wood models a long-sleeve print dress by Sho Sho Esquiro Clothing, and extra-long bangin' beaded earrings by Turquoise Soul. Extra-long legs by Amberae Wood. Hair and Make-up by Wabanoonkwe Cameron-Hernandez. Photo by Anthony Thosh Collins. Location: Cochiti, NM.

Amberae Wood models a High Waisted Skirt with Leather Ruffle by Sho Sho Esquiro Clothing, and extra-long beaded earrings and necklace by Turquoise Soul. Hair and Make-up by Wabanoonkwe Cameron-Hernandez. Photo by Anthony Thosh Collins. Location: Cochiti, NM.

DJ Young Native models a Men's Pendleton Jacket by Sho Sho Esquiro Clothing. Photo by Anthony Thosh Collins. Location: Cochiti Pueblo, NM.

DJ Young Native models a Men's Pendleton Jacket with Leather Sleeves and a Fitted Beaded Hat with 14K Gold Beads, both by Sho Sho Esquiro Clothing. Photography by Thoshography. Location: Cochiti, NM.

DJ Young Native models a men's Pendleton jacket, custom t-shirt, and beaded cap by Sho Sho Esquiro Clothing. DJ equipment is model's own. Photography by Thoshography. Location: Cochiti, NM.

DJ Young Native models this Pendleton Jacket by Sho Sho Esquiro Clothing. Bingo card print on the inside of the hood. Photo by Anthony Thosh Collins. Location: Cochiti Pueblo, NM.

Miigwaans Cameron models a Black Leather Top with Carved Bone Feathers and Sterling Silver Beads by Sho Sho Esquiro Clothing, and Turquoise Soul earrings and necklace. Hair and Make-up by Wabanoonkwe Cameron-Hernandez. Photo by Anthony Thosh Collins. Location: Cochiti Pueblo, NM.

Model Profile | India Lowery Jones King

"Live everyday as if it were your last."

India Lowery Jones King is a member of the Lumbee Tribe from Lumberton, North Carolina. She recently started modeling, and works closely with Turquoise Soul’s Wabanoonkwe Cameron-Hernandez. She has an eclectic style and is an avid supporter of Native artists, jewelers, and fashion designers. She’s a good friend of mine, and she agreed to answer some questions for me.

I want to start profiling Native models because many times they are ‘the face’ of Native fashion and they represent an important component of the Native fashion world. Here’s her interview, along with images from a photoshoot that she did for Turquoise Soul’s recent collection, Feather Frenzy.

When and why did you start modeling?
I started modeling recently because I wanted to represent Native Americans with pride and honor. Also, I wanted to show people that Native Americans do indeed have a diverse look. Many people assume that Native Americans all have long dark hair and brown skin. This is a stereotype that is typical because of Hollywood. However, Natives have a range of complexions, hair colors, eye colors, and hair textures.

What do you want people to know about Native models like yourself?
Native models represent our people not only with beauty on the outside but the inside as well. Most of us are intellectual beings trying to expose who we are to the world. Rather we are teachers, lawyers, professors, or athletes. We all have something we bring to the circle of life.

How would you define ‘beautiful’?
Beautiful is somewhere underneath the glued on eyelashes and layers of makeup. It is the story that we all have to share. The story of who we are, where we came from, and the paths we have chosen. Beautiful is being able to say that we are strong, independent, hard workers of society.

Why do you think it’s important for Native models to exist?
It's important for Native models to exist because we need to show our future Natives that we are a beautiful people. That we need to come together and show the world how special we are.

What is something that a lot of people don’t know, but should know, about Lumbees?
That we are the Biggest tribe east of the Mississippi River!!!!

Who are your favorite Native designers?
Wabanoonkwe Cameron-Hernandez, Sho-Sho Esquiro, and Virgil Ortiz

What inspires you?
Being alive and being able to make others happy is my daily inspiration. Rather it is a friendly smile or a helping hand. The simplest things can change someone's day or life.

Turquoise Soul's Feather Frenzie

Here's your sneak peek of Turquoise Soul's new collection of earrings and accessories. Dubbed Feather Frenzie, the new collection will pair feathers with hardware for some sassy Native-made jewelry. Turquoise Soul is headed up by Wabanoonkwe Cameron-Hernandez (Ojibwe), who did the photography and make-up for this shoot, which features model India Lowery Jones (Lumbee).

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)

Behind-the-Scenes Photo Shoot

Yesterday I went to an amazing photo shoot.

Jewelry designer Wabanoonkwe Cameron-Hernandez of Turquoise Soul invited me to meet up with her for a behind-the-scene look at her latest stuff, and of course I jumped at the opportunity.  Designers Sho Sho Esquiro and Virgil Ortiz were also bringing their gear.

Photographer Thosh Collins was shooting, and Wabanoonkwe’s younger sister Miigwaans was modeling, along with Winnipeg-based model Amberae Wood and Navajo ‘mixing legend’ Matt Manymules (aka DJ Young Native).

I love doing ‘behind-the-scenes’ posts, because it gives readers a chance to see all of the effort that goes into Native fashion (and fashion in general).  Not only is there a lot of prep work, but when the ball actually gets rolling, it’s a lot more work!

What really stuck out for me was the fact that this shoot was such an awesome collaboration – everyone pitched in where they could (as you’ll see in the pictures below).  So, a model became an assistant, a designer became a hairstylist, a photographer became a set designer, and a DJ became a model. But it was all so natural.  When it comes to this world, you have to wear many hats.  And this crew does it well.

You’ve probably heard me say this before, but I know I don’t say it enough – I have so much respect for Native fashion designers.

Not only do they produce objects that are aesthetically cool, but they also have amazing skills in producing items that look good on the body (and you know all of us have different body shapes!) and the clothes and jewelry look great in motion (to produce something that looks good when it moves requires an intimate understanding of movement).  This takes a unique combination of talents acquired through years of experience, trial and error, and taking risks when it comes to creativity.

In addition, these guys (and gals!) spend hours upon hours designing this stuff, then, when a collection is complete they spend hours upon hours prepping for fashion shows and getting models ready for photoshoots.  THEN, they spend hours upon hours selling their work at events like the Gathering of Nations (this weekend in Albuquerque!).  Thank goodness awesome individuals exist who step up and support each other with collabs like this.

Below are the sneak peek images. It is important to note that these are amateur/candid shots. Once you see Thosh's photos, you will be blown away at the sheer talent that this guy has. In addition, I have so much respect for the models. It was cold and windy, and it was a long day of switching locations. They never complained, and they helped out a great deal (all the while keeping a fun and playful attitude while they were pinned, dressed, and had their hair and make-up done and re-done). They rocked out the gear with great poses and positive energy, and I can't wait to see the final images.

(Miigwaans wears a red Virgil Ortiz dress at scenic Tent Rocks National Monument)

(Thosh shoots Miigwaans in a Cochiti No-Trespassing Zone)

(On location - hiking to great sites and dodging cow patties)

(Thosh giving direction)

(Matt practices his Magnum look, while Wabanoonkwe styles Amberae's hair)

(And on to the lashes! Insider glue secrets revealed. We all refuel with coffee. This was about 5 hours into the shoot.)

(Supplies)

(Matt rocks the Sho Sho zipper hoodie and beaded cap)

(Sho Sho gear)

(Loooong Turquoise Soul Indian Bling)

(Great shoots are all about the right photographer, the right designer, and the right model getting the right angles, the right lighting, and the right background)

(Amberae with a purple jacket by Sho Sho and white Turquoise Soul beaded earrings)

(Virgil Ortiz fixes up model Amberae while the rest of the crew helps out)

 

If you're in the ABQ region for GON, check out the upcoming fashion show featuring the designs of Sho Sho Esquiro and Wabanoonkwe Cameron-Hernandez!:

Jewelry Designer Profile | Turquoise Soul

Turquoise Soul is a Native American owned and operated company that creates hand-beaded earrings, watches and other accessories.

Turquoise Soul was founded in 2007 by Wabanoonkwe Hernandez, who is an Ojibwe tribal member from Wabaseemoong Independent First Nation located in northern Ontario Canada.

In 2010, Jacqueline Baduya joined Hernandez, and the two not only create beautiful one-of-a-kind beaded accessories, but they also seek to empower Native women by offering workshops and providing other unique opportunities. In this way, they hope to give back to their Native communitites and help those in need by providing the tools and skills to succeed.

The dynamic worlds of fashion and art have inspired the designers behind Turquoise Soul to provide their customers with high-quality, distinctive, and original pieces.

Because the color red resembles strength in many Native communities, the team donates some of the proceeds from red earrings to help local women's shelters.

Click here to access their Facebook page, where you can peruse their collection.

(photos with models are done by the awesome Native photographer Anthony Thosh Collins featuring the beautiful Native models Amberae Wood and Shalon Adams)