The 2016 Portland Art Museum exhibit “Pathbreakers” featured Native fashion by indigenous designers. Their work is described as marrying “the worldview and aesthetics of their communities with modern materials and silhouettes”.
From Mylar dresses and stainless steel boas, to luxury fabric day– and evening dresses, suits, hats, T’s, shoes and jewelry - including a Dorothy Grant Italian wool tuxedo, Wendy Red Star’s political statement Motor Oil, Buffalo, Dress**, Louie Gong sneakers, and Jamie Okuma beaded Louboutin boots, to Denise & Samuel Wallace’s Craftspeople Belt in silver, gold, fossil ivory and semi-precious stones, to Rico Lanaat’ Worl skateboard decks - exquisite craftsmanship was the common thread.
This particular image is of a solo mannequin wearing an ensemble dress, headpiece, and cape from the Desert Heat Collection.
Designed by Orlando Dugi, Diné (Navajo), the flaming orange and black, split ethereal dress with train is made of dyed silk, organza, feathers, beads, and 24-karat gold. The short, shoulder-covering black cape is of feathers, beads, and silver, and the explosive black and white headpiece is of African porcupine quills and feathers.
An incredible exhibit - I absolutely enjoyed two slow visits - enthralled by the beauty and craftsmanship, and moved by Wendy Red Star and Terrance Houle’s graphic reminder. Will post follow-up to this comment.
Not many Q’s in my catalog, but this one stood out. See ALT for more detail.
#AlphabetChallenge
#WeekQforQs
#EastCoastKin
#NativeAmerican
#nativefashion
#indigenous
#PortlandArtMuseum
#nature
#quills