Artist Profile | Nalaga O'Brien

Avis Nalaga O’Brien, a Haida/Kwakwakw’wakw artist, was born in Alert Bay, British Columbia. She belongs to the Kaa’was Staa’stas Eagle Clan from Kiusta Village in Haida Gwaii and the Geegilgum Clam of the Likwiolk people of Cape Mudge. Nalaga’s introduction to the treasures of the Northwest Coast started when she learned to weave from her older sister, Meghann O’Brien. This was the beginning of her journey to where she is now, embracing the richness of her cultural heritage and creating jewelry and artwork that reflects the beauty of Northwest Coast Native design.

Avis O'Brien | The Frog Print Project

I always get very excited when one of the Beyond Buckskin Boutique artists spreads their wings both artistically and professionally, and so it gives me great honor to highlight the work of Avis O'Brien and her current project.

While we know her through Beyond Buckskin for her beautiful hand-woven cedar bark bracelets and earrings, she also creates other work and has apprenticed under notable artists such as master Haida carver Jay Simeon.

Artist Profile | Avis O'Brien

We've recently added a new artist to the Beyond Buckskin Boutique. Her name is Avis O’Brien, she is Haida / Kwakwaka’wakw, and she heads up her company, Nalaga Designs.

I'm very excited to introduce her work to the Boutique because her work - her cedar bark woven jewelry - represents an important continuation of the ancient legacy of Northwest Coast woven adornment. She fuses age-old techniques with modern style to create jewelry we can wear to work, to gatherings, and for events. Click below to read our interview and learn more about this artist.

Designer Profile | Paul Rowley

We've got a brand new artist on the Beyond Buckskin Boutique site and he's a really cool dude named Paul Rowley.

He's Haida and Tlingit and he creates cool hats in classic fashion forms using traditional cedar bark weaving techniques.

It's an honor to add him to the roster of artists on BBB, and I got the opportunity to ask him some questions about what he does. So here you go folks, meet Mister Rowley:

Video | Journeying Into Form

Journeying Into Form: The Mountain Goat Wool Project featured the work of Kwakwaka’wakw-Haida textile artist Meghann O’Brien in her first solo exhibition, which was displayed at the Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art this past summer. Mountain goat wool was the original fiber used on the Northwest Coast. It was regarded as a sacred material and used in the weaving of Yeil Koowu (Ravenstail) and Naxxiin (Chilkat) ceremonial garments.

Video | Custom Heels by Louie Gong

Uh oh! The king of customized sneaks just stepped over into the world of specialized heels, pumps and super-chick kicks. I'm going to have to start up a shoe account.

Urban Beat | CTV British Columbia

Click the link below to access a cool video put out by CTV British Columbia. Titled Urban Beat, this 22-minute long segment looks into the simmering controversy over the definition of Métis, and the first Métis nation Prime Minister. Also meet contemporary artist Alano Edzerza making his mark in Northwest Coast design, then roll out with a fresh new Beat Nation art project that takes tradition and puts it on wheels, hip-hop style.

Totems and Feathers | New Seahawks Uniforms

I don't know anything about sports and athletics, but the Seattle Seahawks just unveiled some new uniforms (but, honestly, I don't really know what the old ones looked like!).

The new uniforms feature a deep blue, neon green and wolf grey color scheme. Nike said that the green represents the vast forests of the Pacific Northwest and the grey is an homage to the "beautiful, gloomy weather" of Seattle.

Designer Profile | Alano Edzerza

It’s high time that I do a profile on this rising star in the fashion world (who, by many regards, can already be considered established).

Hailing from the Tahltan Nation, Alano Edzerza is currently based out of Vancouver, where he operates his art gallery.

He belongs to the Raven Clan, and the important bird features prominently in his artwork.  Although this post is strictly on his fashion design and apparel, Edzerza also creates jewelry, sculpture, glass work, two-dimensional art, and large-scale installations.

His apparel hit the international scene two years ago when he designed the uniforms for the Netherlands team for the 2010 Winter Olympics held in BC.

Northwest Coast Eyewear

Many of you have probably seen these by now – either through your fashionista friend, or in the ad pages of Native People’s Magazine, or on the desk of your professor or boss. These are Aya eye glasses, specially designed by world renowned First Nations artist Corrine Hunt.

Hailing from Alert Bay in British Columbia, Hunt has been creating contemporary art that reflects the themes and traditions of her First Nations Kwakiutl and Tlingit heritage for over 2 decades. She even co-designed the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Medals.

A couple of years ago, her designs were added to sunglasses and readers, and now optical glasses, which themselves were designed by Carla D’Angelo, founder of AYA Eyewear.

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 and ancient designs with chic modern styles.

First Nations Fashion: Denise Williams

First Nations Fashion
Denise Williams specializes in designs for her people -- and they're buying
By Sarah Petrescu, Times Colonist


As Denise Williams flips through her photo album of elated brides, smiling graduates and proud women wearing her designs, I tell her she could as easily be looking at her creations in a glossy, high-fashion magazine.

"Well-made clothing our people can feel pride in has always been my goal," she tells me at her Esquimalt home and studio. Williams's House of Winchee contemporary clothing line incorporates West Coast aboriginal designs. "I don't believe it has to be huge to be a success."

Regardless, the 38-year-old's popularity has surpassed her resources, and she finds herself at a crossroads.

"I've become so busy I can't keep up. I have to get into manufacturing," says Williams, whose 18-year-old business has flourished by word of mouth. "I have faithful clients and even, you could say, a little following."

Williams knew she wanted to be a fashion designer from the time she took a sewing class in the eighth grade in Campbell River. She comes from the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation in the Tofino area.

"I remember looking through a magazine and seeing a stereotypical representation of native American culture -- braids and feathers," she says. "Then in a Canadian magazine I saw a picture of [designer] Dorothy Grant's work. Her stuff was more museum quality but it showed that an interpretation could be classy and not exploitive."

Williams held that thought when she entered fashion design school at Kwantlen College at the age of 18, making aboriginal-themed fashion part of her graduating line.

The name House of Winchee pays homage to fashion design and to family heritage.

Winchee is her father's village on Kennedy Lake, traditionally used for fishing.

"It's also easy to pronounce," she grins.

Williams worked in fashion retail for many years while building her business, travelling to aboriginal trade shows and events. After struggling through a few slow years, she has found herself barely able to keep up with increasing orders.

"It's hard for one person," says the lone seamstress and designer. "But so is finding help."

Williams's reputation led to an invitation as a featured local designer at the Global Fashion Show and Fundraiser for the Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Society this Sunday.

"They wanted a First Nations designer and my name came up," says Williams, happy to be part of the multicultural-themed fashion show. "But I had to ask about the models. My clothes are not just for skinny girls."

The House of Winchee segment is sure to be a highlight. Williams's designs are classic, slightly conservative, flattering and meticulously tailored. They are also fairly priced.

Her incorporation of appliquéd aboriginal elements is subtle and striking: A hummingbird along the torso curve of a little black dress, a cascade of black butterflies along a bold red gown, a pencil-skirt edged to resemble a traditional button blanket or red eagles against a black fitted jacket.

"We're so excited to have her," organizer Robin Adams tells me, adding the show will also feature fashions from Mexico, Romania, Africa and India, and a 91-year-old model wearing traditional garb from Norway.

While Williams acknowledges the esthetic value of her designs she emphasizes their importance as a symbol of culture.

"I tell people, 'It's not regalia,' " she says. "But these designs are really meaningful to our people. To me, they're meant to last and be passed down as heirlooms. This is not disposable fashion."

Williams tells me about a friend who promised her daughter one of her dresses if she graduated high school. The girl succeeded and was voted best-dressed at Stelly's Secondary School among fellow students with much pricier wares.

"Her dress was white with a black raven representing her mom's family and a black eagle representing her dad's family. She was so happy," Williams says.

She also takes great pleasure in the accomplished women and men who are her fans.

"My main customers are professional indigenous women," she says. "I believe in presenting our women at their best and they are often the kind of people I love to be around -- talking politics, child welfare, land issues, culture."

Williams is also encouraged by non-aboriginal people donning her wares.

"I sell mostly to First Nations clients, but others who have bought my clothes tend to have a respect and admiration for the culture. So that's a good thing," she says.

House of Winchee has great potential to become a sensation if it expands into manufacturing Williams's designs.

There are very few authentic aboriginal designers in Canada. Vancouver-based Dorothy Grant is famous for her Haida-patterned gowns and jackets. One of the edgiest indigenous designers is Ontario's Angela DeMontigny, who incorporates her Cree-Chippewa-Metis culture with sexy leatherwork, beading and hand-painting. Some companies have commissioned aboriginal artists for special lines, such as Chloe Angus, who hired Haida artist Clarence Mills to design a wrap, and Claudia Alan, who hired artist Corinne Hunt to design sunglasses and spectacle frames.

Several of these designers gained recognition during the recent Winter Olympics in Vancouver. As did Vancouver Island's Cowichan sweater -- which caused controversy when authentic sweaters were overlooked for mass-produced versions in the official clothing line.

Speaking of sweaters, Cowichan artist Robert Sam is another local designer who takes a contemporary spin on tradition with bold-coloured wool and animal imagery on his made-to-order knitted vests and sweaters.

spetrescu@tc.canwest.com









© Copyright (c) The Victoria Times Colonist

Designer Profile | Kulus Designs

Hello all!-
I took a brief hiatus from blogging to attend my doctoral graduation events! I hope to have some pics to post next week:)

For now, here is a designer profile of Kulus Designs, featuring Northwest Coast designs on chic fashions.