An Ode to American History Through Fashion
With Thanksgiving right around the corner, we can’t ignore the impact of Native American fashion on the fashion industry. With more voices in fashion advocating for cultural awareness and speaking against the appropriation of Indigenous and Native American culture, the wave of the rise in the number of designers coming from these tribes has led to a new revolution. On this note, Jejune Magazine has culminated a list of Native American designers to be on the lookout for!
Who Are They: Focused on changing the narrative around jewellery, Ataumbi Metals is a Native American owned jewellery brand that sells wearable art pieces. Made from contemporary materials, they traditionally use Kiowa imagery to create their pieces. The brand gets their inspiration from various sources including her background, heritage and the values and traditions she grew up with. The brand has a unique method of making their jewellery where the artist creates the design and tries to establish a relationship between the body and the object.
About the Designer: Keri Ataumbi, born to a trader and a sculptor, is a Native American designer from the Wind River Reservation in Wyoming. Hailing from the Kiowa tribe, she was encouraged to pursue her interests in art. She attended the Rhode Island School of Design and the Institute of American Indian Arts, graduating with a BFA in in painting with a minor in art history from the College of Santa Fe. Her work as a landscape designer comes into play as she designs jewellery for her brand Ataumbi metals.
Price Range: Upon request
Who Are They: Ginew is a denim brand run by Amanda Bruegl – Oneida, Stockbridge-Munsee and Erik Brodt – Ojibwe. Being first of its kind, the brand retains its authenticity and integrity by using real American premium materials such as Selvedge denim, wax canvas, Pendleton wool blanket fabric and so on. What started as a leather goods company, made from pre industry materials of the finest quality, the company has expanded to include garments into their portfolio of products. Ginew uses family symbols, teachings and traditions to make their products.
About the Designers: Amanda Bruegl – Oneida, Stockbridge-Munsee and Erik Brodt – Ojibwe are designers and entrepreneurs who conceptualized Ginew. Originally from Wisconsin, they first started selling leather goods that are prepared by the Ginew family. Their first array of leather belts were made from their wedding buffalo, hunted, prepared, tanned and hand-dyed by them with their families. Imbibing the philosophies of "Minobimaadiziiwin" - "Yohahi-yo sathahita?n", traditionally meaning “To Live Well”, the couple like to live adventurously, following the foot steps of their relatives and ancestors.
Price Range: $$-$$$
Who Are They: Shy Natives is a handmade lingerie and apparel brand run by Northern Cheyenne sisters Madison and Jordan Craig. Inspired by creating the perfect fit for every piece of lingerie created, the products are designed, patterned and sewn by Madison. Shy natives, as a brand, is an art project that aims to fight the sexualization and stereotyping of Indigenous people, in turn reclaiming their bodies and their sensuality.
About the Designers: Madison and Jordan Craig are a sister duo that created an indigenous lingerie brand. They collaborate with other indigenous creatives with the aim of creating content that resonates with all audiences, especially Native Americans.
Price Range: $$
Who Are They: Founded in 2015, New York - based Emme Studio is a slow fashion brand run by Korina Emmerich. Focusing on producing products through upcycling and recycling, the brand is the brain child of Emmerich who uses art and culture, inspired by the Puyallup tribe from the Coast Salish Territory: her ancestral heritage. The brand’s products are created in a studio in Brooklyn, New York, located on occupied Lenapehoking, and functions based on the philosophy of ƛ'ububƛ'ub, kʷaxʷalikʷ, ʔabalikʷ, meaning “Be kind, Be helpful, Be sharing”.
About the Designer: Artist and designer, Korina Emmerich is an activist who actively rallies for climate justice and believes in fighting against oppression and the long lasting effects and consequences of colonialism. Emmerich’s art has been featured on various platforms like the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Vogue, Elle, and so on. Focusing on various facets of sustainability, she has also assumed the roles of special advisor and educator with The Slow Factory Foundation, community organizer with the Indigenous Kinship Collective, and is currently working with Urban Indigenous Collective on upcoming projects.
Price Range: $$
Who Are They: ThunderVoice Hat Co., founded by Lehi ThunderVoice Eagle, is a vintage hat company that gives an ode to the ancient Navajo Brimmed hats, known for their iconic status, carrying generations of history and tradition. The hats are vintage sourced, steamed, shaped and creatively made for those who want to wear their culture with pride. Following the Native American traditions of sustainability, the brand uses reclaimed materials to artistically hand -make their hats, making conscious decisions all through the production process. The brand also allows customers to customize their hats and provides Native family discounts.
About the Designer: Native American artist and designer, Lehi ThunderVoice Eagle seeks inspiration from his childhood and the lessons he learnt from his parents. Hailing from the Navajo/ Totonoc tribe, he grew up in the Arizona wilderness, influences of which are seen in his art. Ever since he started ThunderVoice Hat Co., his connection to his community has been more widespread wherein the proceeds went into providing for those in need during the pandemic. His values surrounding sustainability and the resulting manifestations make his creations and his brand sought after by his audience.
Price Range: $$$
Who Are They: B.Yellowtail is a Native American, woman-owned brand, founded by Bethany Yellowtail, with the aim of creating authentic Indigenous designs. It also provides a platform for other Indigenous and Native American artists and designers to showcase their creations through the B.Yellowtail Collective.
About The Designer: Native Fashion’s force and leader, Bethany Yellowtail hails from the Northern Cheyenne and the Mighty Few District of the Crow Nation (Southeastern Montana). She graduated from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising and has won many awards for her designs, having been hired as lead pattern maker for several private labels. Bethany’s motto is to serve her community, whether it be in the form of providing indigenous employment, or being an active voice in the No-DAPL and women’s rights movements.
Price Range: $$-$$$
Who Are They: Jamie Okuma is a self eponymous brand that sells ready to wear fashion as well as unique pieces, handcrafted by the designer herself, working on every step of the production process. The brand has been featured on several media platforms such as Vogue, The New York Times, The LA Times, The MET, and more.
About the Designer: Jamie Okuma is an artist who hails from the Luiseno, Shoshone-Bannock, Wailaki, and Okinawan tribe. Born to a mother who was a graphic designer by profession, her progression into art was natural. She graduated from Palomar College in San Marcos, and the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe NM, which was followed by a profession in the artistic space. Okuma’s work has been displayed in various galleries like Santa Fe Indian Art Market in Santa Fe NM and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, winning herself a plethora of awards for the same.
Price Range: $$$
Who Are They: Another top self eponymous Indigenous brand, Lauren Good Day sells wearable art: pieces that are created by seeking inspiration from the designer’s heritage. The brand’s image is based on luxury collections that use Native American prints, often typical to that of the designer’s tribe.
About the Designer: Arikara, Hidatsa, Blackfeet and Plains Cree artist and fashion designer, Lauren Good Day is extraordinarily talented, with her work being displayed in the top art shows and galleries such as Santa Fe Indian Market in Santa Fe NM, Heard Guild Museum Market in Phoenix AZ, Autry American Indian Arts Marketplace Los Angeles CA, and more. Graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Indigenous Studies from the Institute of American Indian Arts and Culture in Santa Fe, NM, she has been creating designs using beadwork, quillwork, ledger drawings, and rawhide parfleche. Her work has also been featured in various magazines like Vogue, InStyle Magazine, New York Times, Fashion Magazine, Cowboys & Indians Magazine, Cosmopolitan, and other global publications.
Price Range: $$$
Being aware of our history brings art, fashion, and their various other constituents into perspective. This in turn helps us stay conscious, focused, and makes us more appreciative of everything around us.
