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.

He Sapa Style Show 2011

South Dakota doesn't celebrate Columbus Day - instead, they celebrate Native American Day. While the rest of the country commemorates the arrival of Christopher Columbus and his three ships (which didn't even make it to America, btw), people in South Dakota honor the Indigenous peoples who were here long before Columbus.

The Black Hills Powwow, or He Sapa Wacipi as it is known in the Lakota language, is one of the biggest celebrations, coinciding each year with the weekend before Native American Day. It is a competition powwow held in Rapid City. Besides dance and drum competitions, there are also a wide variety of other events, such as a youth day symposium, hang game tournament, Miss He Sapa Win Contest, and a Style Show.

Above is a picture from the 2011 He Sapa Style Show featuring a design by Mildred Carpenter (photo by Dawnee LeBeau). Designers at this year's event included Darlene Perkins, Meghan Casey, Sina Shaw, Prarie Edge, Darla Brown, Bessie Sherwood, Mildred Carpenter, and Jackie Bird '2010 He Sapa Style Show Designer of the year.'

Video | Patricia Michaels Guerrilla Fashion Parade

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)

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!

Mildj Fashion Show at Crow Days

Based out of Montana, Mildred Carpenter of Mildj Fashion Designs recently hosted a fashion show during Crow Days held in June at the Apsaalooke Nights Casino. Check out these shnazzy pics, snapped by Tommy B. Robinson Photography from Lame Deer, MT.

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.

Review | Fifth Annual Highland Native Leadership Council Fashion Show

Review on the “Fifth Annual Native American Fashion Show”
by Cheyenne Beardsley
for NATV 450 (University of New Mexico)

I attended the “Fifth Annual Native American Fashion Show” held at the UNM Continuing Education Building on March 24th, 2011. The event was sponsored by the Highland Native American Leadership Council. This was only the second Native fashion event I have ever attended. When I first arrived right at 6pm when the show was supposed to start there were not many people there. However when the show started one of the MC’s mentioned that usually people trickle in as the show progresses and sure enough by the end there were a lot more seats filled. One thing I noticed right off the bat was that most of the MC’s were young people—high school age mostly. I thought that really reflected an investment in youth and leadership from the people who were running the show.

The show included four main designers who were Shayne Watson, Shirley Pino, the Glacsy Company, and lastly Penny Singer. There were over thirty models, including men, women, and children who were showing off the designer’s work. The show began with pieces by various designers and the first category was “Traditional”. It was a man’s traditional outfit but unfortunately I didn’t catch which tribe the outfit was from. The MC said the outfit was meant to reflect a “proud heritage in the US marine corps”. Following that was a woman’s traditional outfit from the Potawatomie tribe. It was inspired from the 1930s era and I noticed it included a lot of floral designs.

The first designer, Shayne Watson (an award-winning designer), had really beautiful pieces. I think his designs were my favorite. His models wore contemporary pieces inspired by traditional designs from the Navajo and Potawatomie tribes and Santo Domingo Pueblo. His outfits included broom skirts, velvet and silk tops, silver beads, evening wear, and my favorites Pendleton jackets with hoods. I want to buy one of those!

The second designer up was Shirley Pino. The first models to come out modeling her designs were two little Cowboys wearing western style clothing that was according to the MC “inspired by George Strait”. I liked that she had designs for men, women and children. Some of her most interesting pieces were her men’s pieces, such as the shoulder collar with feathers. I had never seen anything like that, but it seemed very Native couture. I also really liked one of her male feast shirts that had “rasta” colors (red, yellow, and green). The description given for that shirt was that it was for an “unafraid” Pueblo man to wear—unafraid to express a unique style I’m guessing.

Next was the Glacsy Company which seemed to be a conglomerate of various designers rather than just one. Most of the Glacsy designs were really modern. Many of there weren’t obviously tied to traditional designs, but they were all by Native designers I believe. Lastly there was Penny Singer. Her designs incorporated a lot of animal motifs and she seemed to draw inspiration from a lot of sources. She had things such as a ribbon shirt inspired by turquoise jewelry, a vest that was inspired by “goats that love corn”, a butterfly vest, a ribbon shirt with the Steelers logo, and a jacket inspired by a Navajo rug.

Fashion shows are not necessarily something I would normally go to just for fun, but I’m glad we had to for this class because I really enjoyed it and I think I might go again next year if I get the chance. I think my favorite part was seeing the multitude of ways in which Native designers are expressing their creativity and reflecting their culture and traditions through their clothing designs.

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 | Phoenix Native Fashion Shows

Attention Phoenix area! Check out these fashion shows, featuring the streetwear designs by Tyson Powless of Un3ek Sy5tem, Jared Yazzie of OxDx, and Sho Sho Esquiro!

Follow OxDx and Sho Sho Esquiro Clothing and Un3ek on Facebook to keep updated with various streetwear-related events.

Video | From Culture to Couture Fashion Show

This video was shot during the 'From Culture to Couture' gala fashion show in Toronto.

Hosted by celebrated Native actors Adam Beach and Jennifer Podemski, the fashion gala featured work by preeminent Canadian designers Dorothy Grant, D’Arcy Moses, Angela DeMontigny, Pam Baker and Dene Fur Clouds, along with special guest designer Patricia Michaels from New Mexico. The gala event was held during the 2005 Toronto Aboriginal Festival.

The video has some great footage of the fashion designs on the runway as well as interesting interviews with the designers themselves:

Siki Im Fashion Collab with Navajo Weaver Tahnibaa Naataanii

New York Fashion Week is in full swing, and already several Native-inspired collections have popped up. However, one designer, Siki Im, is stepping it up with his latest line in which he collaborated with an award-winning Native artist.

Much of the clothing featured in Siki Im's fourth collection, Silent Thunderbird Prayer, were inspired by Native American cultures, and the designer collaborated with acclaimed Navajo weaver Tahnibaa Naataanii to create the hand woven blankets worn in the show. Furthermore, the architectural details and creative silhouettes were inspired by the work of Pueblo pottery artist Maria Martinez.

Siki Im told Dazed Digital, "The beautiful thing about [Maria Martinez's] work was that is very much about the silhouette of the ceramics. She didn't use much colour so shape and texture was central to her work. She created these almost perfect round shapes and charcoal engravings. This season, I didn't want it to be conceptual and instead focused on creating beautiful silhouettes."

Fur-covered braids, heavy-lidded eye makeup, live hand-drumming, and a dirt runway added to the Indigenous vibe.

I haven't had a chance to look deeper into this collaboration - but I like the fact that Siki Im partnered with a notable Native artist and gives her credit. In addition, he clearly states that his inspiration for the silhouettes derives from the revolutionary pottery designs of Maria Martinez. Whereas many non-Native designers use a generic sense of 'Indianness,' Siki Im is specific about his inspiration points, and he names them.

To read more reviews of the collection, click these links:

Siki Im's Silent Thunderbird Prayer

Back to the Land

Siki Im Fall 2011 Preview | Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week

Siki Im

Siki Im Menswear A/W11: The New Yorker's fourth collection entitled Silent Thunderbird Prayer offers a return to Mother Earth

Video | 2010 Buffalo Thunder Fashion Show

An oldie, but a goodie - this video clip is from the 2010 Buffalo Thunder Fashion Show held last January at the Pojoaque Buffalo Thunder Resort & Casino. In collaboration with the new Rail Runner, the fashion show featured top Native designers from the Santa Fe region, including Jerry Ingram, Michelle Tapia Browning, Penny Singer, Pilar Agoyo and Patricia Michaels.

www.SantaFeTVShow.com, Episode #3, Buffalo Thunder FASHION SHOW from DHP Multimedia on Vimeo.

Ancestral Treasures Fashion Show

Recently, fifteen Native fashion designers came together for a fashion show at the Heard Museum in downtown Phoenix in support of the Mesa Community Colleges Hoop of Learning Program.

The program is one of six bridge programs within Maricopa Community College District that offers Native high school students the opportunity to begin their career journey while in high school. Students can earn college and high school credit concurrently all while participating in a program whose goal is to increase academic achievements and prepare students for a successful transition into a post secondary setting.

Jackson Harris, the Program Coordinator, organized the event, bringing designers together from throughout the southwest to showcase their garments and give Hoop of Learning students a glimpse of the fashion industry.

Harris explained, "This is a perfect chance for some of my students to look around and see what is being offered to them. Some of the students may want to become a designer, a photographer or event planner in the future."

The theme of the show was "Ancestral Treasures Expressed Through Fashion."

Most of the designers incorporated a pop/modern twist to their collections. RVSO DSGN, Apache Skateboards, Martini Couture, UN3EK SY5TEM, and Nizhoni Apparel (see video below) were all on the roster.

RVSO DESGN:



UN3EK SY5TEM:


Apache Skateboards:



Martini Couture:




Nizhoni Way Apparel:



(Images are all designers' own, unless otherwise noted)

Click here to read more.

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)

CANAB Fashion 2010 Review, Round 2

Happy New Year everyone!

A couple of days ago, I wrote a brief review of the fashion show held at the Canadian Aboriginal Festival. For this post I'd like to focus on two of the designers - Bruno Henry and Ronald Green of Ronald Everett Design.

Bruno Henry:
Originally from Six Nations of the Grand River in Ontario, artist Bruno Henry brings his artistic visions to life through stone carvings, jewellery, photography and fashion design. Described as a self-taught artist, Henry is inspired by the traditional use of hide for clothing. He is known for creating classy clothing that blends animal hide adn ancient designs with chic modern styles. Most of his custom designs are made with traditional materials like moose and deer hide stitched together using leather stitch-work instead of thread or sinew.






Ronald Green of Ronald Everett Design:
Ronald Green, founder of Ronald Everett Design, is Tsimshian from Northern British Columbia. He studied at the International Academy of Design in Toronto, where he graduated at the head of his class with an award winning collection of Native Inspired designs. Images of Raven, Killer Whale, Moon and Eagle are just a few of the icons that he incorporates into his designs, which bring First Nations culture and images to the world of fashion.







If you'd like to learn more about Ronald Everett Designs, check out this video:



Stay tuned for the final round of images from the Turtle Concepts CANAB fashion show