Sho Sho Esquiro 2012 Collection

Sho Sho Esquiro, an amazingly hip urban fresh Kaska Dene/ Cree fashion designer, just posted photos of her 2012 collection, and boy are they amazing.

When it came to displaying the designs, Esquiro enlisted the help of a couple folks she's worked with in the past, including photographer Anthony Thosh Collins and model Amberae Wood (note all images below are by Collins). The future (and present) of Native fashion is looking rather good (and by 'good', I mean 'fabulous').

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.

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).

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 communities and help those in need by providing the tools and skills to succeed.