“It is really time for active participation for transformative resources for our communities,” – Amy Denet Deal.
The CFDA is proud to present a two-part webinar series in collaboration with Native American and Indigenous designers, business owners, and experts. Each share their cultural, social, and professional experiences of working within the American fashion industry. Our goal was to openly discuss ways to create opportunities to collaborate and support Indigenous designers and cultivate equitable business practices.
The first virtual conversation, The Native American and Indigenous Design Community & Their Contribution to the American Fashion Industry, was moderated by Christian Allaire, a Writer, Editor and Stylist at Vogue and author of The Power of Style (Ojibwe from Nipissing First Nation). He was joined by fashion show producer Amber-Dawn Bear Robe (Blackfoot from Siksika Nation), GINEW Co-Founder Erik Brodt (Ojibwe), 4KINSHIP Founder Amy Denet Deal (Diné), IllumiNative Founder and Executive Director Crystal Echo Hawk (Pawnee), and B.Yellowtail Founder/Designer Bethany Yellowtail (Northern Cheyenne & Crow).
The group weighed in on the historical complexities of Native people and the flat view that America has contrived. Echo Hawk touched on education as one of the leading factors that create this narrative. “As you look at research over time, Americans have a flat view of Native people, [which] comes out of the K-12 education system and translates to depictions of Native fashion created by non-Natives,” she said. “There are 600 Native nations with unique language, culture, design aesthetics, and creation stories.” Whereas the purpose of Indigenous creators is to change the narrative in order to build power and have a seat at the broader American table.”
Sustainable solutions are vital to the essence of Indigenous people and should be at the core of American fashion. However, emerging Native designers have been challenged with inequity and finding a place to showcase their work to a larger audience within the industry. Brodt’s clothing company, GINEW, is determined to deconstruct the notion of fast fashion and make garments “built to last.”
The year 2020 presented the opportunity for partnership and actualizing the power of collaboration as brands recognized their past mistakes. Now is the time to educate and include Native perspectives, as well as incorporate accountability at every touch point. Yellowtail stressed, “We have the opportunity to do something that benefits our people, to see Native people shine. Be an ally for Native people to lead.”
Brands such as B.Yellowtail are committed to supporting cultural artists and ensuring benefits for them to sustain their families and communities long-term. These platforms provide a haven for storytelling and give context about pieces each artist creates, humanizing the Indigenous people in a way the western world hasn’t previously embraced.
The conversation concluded with thoughts on the upcoming Met Gala theme–American Fashion. It was clear that this could and should be an opportunity to include the voices, honor the work and see representation of Native American and Indigenous designers on this global scale.
Please join us for our next webinar conversation by registering below:
Opportunities to Foster and Preserve the Crafts of the Native American and Indigenous Design Community
Wednesday, June 23 12:00 – 1:00 PM EDT
Register here
