OxDx: Jared Yazzie, Native Threads, and Creative Problem-Solving!

We’re back with another powerful segment featuring OxDx Clothing founder Jared Yazzie (Diné). 

In this continuation of our conversation, we dive even deeper into Indigenous creativity, fashion, and community-building. 

And creative problem-solving!

Artist Feature: Breeze

Over a decade ago, I had the fine opportunity to meet a future friend: Thomas Marcus. He was interested in the graffiti street arts scene and went by the name Breeze. I preferred to call him Thomas Marcus (it had a ring to it). One night, I barely met him, but he was cool, and I hopped into his van (LOL) after a Heard Indian Market, and we, along with his buddy Hendrix (yes, related), went off to hit up some art parties. OH THE GOOD OL' DAYS.

Streetwear: Make a Statement

Throughout the '80s and '90s, American fashion was typified and recognized by two staples: a t-shirt and a pair jeans. The t-shirt became a way for people to announce their feelings or affiliations without ever speaking a word.

Minority designers found the tee to be especially powerful in subverting accepted norms and offering new perspectives. Today, dozens of Native American artists emblazon the standard 'American tee' with slogans and images that oftentimes directly counter mainstream pop culture.

Designer Profile | Jeremy Arviso

Jeremy Arviso is a straight up guy. He doesn't mind being honest and upfront, and he actually seems to relish living in a genuine state of mind and bringing that sense of raw authenticity to fashion and art.

His work is vibrant and energetic; you can almost visualize him painting when you see his brush strokes on the canvas. He moves back and forth between two-dimensional painting and graphic art and three-dimensional fashion with ease, and much of his 2D work informs the designs seen on his streetwear.

Commemorating the Code Talkers with Fashion

Sometimes, I'm a wussy. Ok, a lot of times I'm a wussy. Watching Saving Private Ryan?- Yea that was traumatic for me. Reading about Wounded Knee?- I cried. Going to battle?- Yea, I could never survive that. I'm hyper aware of what I couldn't handle, and the acts of bravery that our warriors engage in amaze me.

I'm not the only one who is not only in awe of, but thankful for, these strong individuals, and we have multiple commemorative holidays here in the US in their honor.

Designer Profile | Tatanka Means

Best known for his roles as an actor, comedian, and speaker, Tatanka Means also heads up the streetwear company, Tatanka Clothing. He's Oglala Lakota, Omaha and Navajo from Chinle, Arizona, and as he explains, "I’m from the Bitter Water clan on my Dine’ side, Eagle clan on my Lakota side, and Deer clan on my Omaha side."

While fashion is only one facet of his creative life, it is a vital component of his overall goals to uplift and inspire cultural empowerment. I was able to catch up with him and to talk a bit more about Tatanka Clothing.

Hello Autumn, Goodbye Summer

"Well hello stranger!"

That's the sound of me re-entering the Beyond Buckskin website after being absent for, oh, six weeks or so.

But I haven't been 'really' absent. The last time that I published on this site was when I was sitting in my hotel room at Buffalo Thunder Resort. I was in Santa Fe for Indian Market. We had just launched the Paul Frank x Native Designers collection, and, little did I know, time would fly, and here I am.

Beyond Buckskin x Homeskillet Fest

Greetings from Alaska! I am sitting here at a table next to a window overlooking the ocean. A cruise ship is docked, and tourists are exploring the small town of Sitka on this cool summer day. Smithsonian Magazine recently named Sitka as one of the best small towns in American to visit in 2013.

“There are photo ops galore at the Sitka National Historical Park, site of the last major battle between Europeans and Native Americans on the Pacific Coast,” writes Smithsonian author Susan Spano.

Designer Profile | Dustin Martin

Dustin Martin was one of the first designers to support my dream to launch the Beyond Buckskin Boutique over a year ago. I had sent out messages to various artists to get their feedback about this idea to launch a boutique that focused solely on promoting and selling Native-made fashion. His response to my inquiry was thoughtful, and his words found their way into BBB's initial mission statements to reclaim Native America's right to determine what is 'Native,' 'authentic' and 'traditional' when it comes to fashion.

Ceci n'est pas un conciliateur

This tee was designed by Navajo artist Dustin Martin for his company S.O.L.O. (Sovereign Original Land Owners).

It features an image of a pistol and reads "Ceci n'est pas un conciliateur," which translates to mean, "This is not a peacemaker."

The 'New Model Army Metallic Cartridge Revolving Pistol' was adopted as the standard military service revolver from 1873-1892.

BBB x P4

I want to introduce you guys to a totally cool new collective called Presence 4.0.

They are a group of three Navajo women (Nanibaa Beck, Jaclyn Roessel, and Chelsea Chee) who recently launched a style blog that showcases the ingenuity and creativity that Native American people utilize in styling themselves.

This website documents Native participation in fashion by featuring individuals and their expressive style on the streets (and dirt roads!).

Beyond Buckskin Street Style Fashion Show

Last weekend, the awesome folks at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor helped me to launch and host the first ever Beyond Buckskin Street Style Fashion Show (click here to read more about the weekend).

The models for the show were all students (a great combo of beautiful faces from all backgrounds) and the garments for the event came from the Beyond Buckskin Boutique as well as the Beyond Buckskin personal collection of Native-made fashion. The students remixed the items to make them their own and rocked it out on the runway. The talented photographer Brita Brookes was in attendance and did an amazing job of capturing the fun and creative energy of the night. It was definitely an inspiring experience.

Native Americans Discovered Columbus

Every year we celebrate the anniversary of Christopher Columbus's arrival to the Americas. Why? He was no hero.

Let's flip this. Reconsider the story of discovery. Wear this tee on "Columbus Day" - Monday, October 8, 2012 - to show your solidarity with Native Americans.

"What represented newness of freedom, hope, and opportunity for some was the occasion for oppression, degradation and genocide for others." - National Council of Churches.



Click here to order by Monday, October 1, to guarantee delivery by Columbus Day.

Flashback Friday | Dustin Martin, SOLO, and the Future

Two years ago I was introduced to streetwear artist Dustin Martin via the internet. He was making headlines as a Columbia University student who was majoring in Anthropology and making and remixing our ideas of Native fashion.

I was excited to learn about him, because we share similar perspectives on Native American-made, and Native American-inspired fashion. He sees fashion as a means to overturn preconceived notions about Indigenous cultures, and he infuses the clothing he makes with a distinctive intellectual side.

Weekend Project: NDN Tees Make-Over

I have a confession to make. I despise t-shirts.

I mean, I love them on other people, just not on me. There's something about them - when I wear a t-shirt I feel like I'm being suffocated. I constantly pull at the neckline and adjust the midsection, and I begin to feel like I can't breathe.

Clearly, I have a problem. This isn't how a normal person acts in a t-shirt.

And what's worse is the fact that a lot of cool Native movements or companies rely on t-shirts to convey their messages.

Video | You Are The Canvas

With the Native-owned streetwear company OxDx, you are the canvas. Check out this promo vid showing off their gear. There's even a cute cat who makes a cameo.

NAFW12 | Tansi Clothing

Another cool designer, Tansi Clothing showed off their latest designs for men and women at the National Aboriginal Fashion Week held two weeks ago in Saskatchewan.

Tansi Clothing was founded in 2005 by Tim Lewis who was born and raised in a small Cree community located two-and-a half hours northwest of Saskatoon (that is WAY up there!). Lewis comes from a big family and maintains connections to his home community, but bases his company out of Saskatoon.

The word 'tansi' means hello in the Cree language, and Lewis' clothing company promotes the Cree language through fashion. But you don't have to be Cree to wear these cool designs. You don't even have to be Native American to wear Tansi Clothing.

Artist Profile | Jared Yazzie of OxDx

Jared Yazzie (Navajo) is the artist behind the Native-owned and operated clothing company OxDx. He has created every design in the OxDx collection (except "Reflection"), and operates as the illustrator, artist, graphic designer, photographer, and screen printer.

Yazzie explained, "Being able to print my own shirts is something I take a lot of pride in." OxDx tees depict American Indian struggles, issues, and art. OxDx is strongly influenced by Native culture, street art, and music.

On the Street

Native fashion is so cool! (but of course, I am biased).

But just check out this awesome photo by Kathleen that she took of Navajo designer Adam Parker, who is rockin' his Manuelito blazer. It's awesome to rep your peeps on the streets. This was shot during the Santa Fe Indian Market, 2011.

Click here to see more of Kathleen's photos.

Designer Profile | Adam Parker

Here is a quick profile on Navajo silkscreen artist Adam Parker. I met him randomly last year at a fashion event held during one of the many 2011 Gathering of Nations post-powwow/after-hour parties. He wasn't in the fashion show, but he was wearing one of his own silkscreened suit jackets and it caught my eye (left). Scroll down to read the mini-interview and see a few of his designs:

BB: What is your name and what do you do?

AP: My name is Adam Parker but I usually just go by A.P., I am primarily a screen printer and graphic designer. My company name is Endemik Graphics and Endemik Apparel.