Jamie Okuma | New Fashion from Traditional Designs

We've seen many European and American fashion designers attempt to bring traditional Native American regalia into contemporary fashion, and fail miserably. The idea is exciting, but, how do we execute the concept in a way that honors our past, while celebrating creativity and authenticity?

Jamie Okuma has been knocking our fashion socks off for years now, and we are so pumped to see her latest creations. These items feature original traditional designs made by Okuma with beads, elk teeth, brass sequins, and feathers for her regalia.

Top 5 Native American Fashion Designers' Sites to Visit Now

What are some of the coolest online Native American fashion stores to scope out while you're surfing the web? We've compiled a short list of our favorite sites that we'd like you to check out now: they feature awesome fashion, from chic streetwear to luxe leather accessories to some fabulous and fancy higher-end pieces.

While we only spotlight 5 designers below, you can view a much larger selection at this link. Also, feel free to share your favorite Native-owned fashion shops in the comments section below to help spread the love!

Speaking Strength Into Being

What is your personal mantra? What do you tell yourself when the going gets tough, or when you're nervous, tired, upset or down? We've all had those moments when we need a little extra encouragement.

I hit those moments a lot. I don’t think people know this, but I get insanely nervous every time I’m about to do a presentation or host an event. Deep down, I either feel like I want to flee (“run Jessica, just run for it!”) or vomit. I have a mantra that gets me through those times.

BB Facebook | Best of May

I post a lot of fashion news on the Beyond Buckskin Facebook Fan Page. It's a great way to share info quickly without having to write an entire post on it.

Every month I compile these tidbits into a 'Best of' post where I highlight some of the coolest images, the most interesting articles, and the biggest misappropriators that were posted to BB's Facebook page. Click below to check out the Best of May.

Top 12 in Native Fashion for 2012

2012 was an amazing year for Native American-made fashion.

We saw designers taking home big awards, collaborations developed, tons of fashion shows all over the continent showcased designers from throughout Indian Country, some important new projects were launched, and Native pride was felt and seen through the items we wore on various significant events and rallies.

Now let's begin the Beyond Buckskin list for the Top 12 in Native Fashion for 2012.

BB Facebook | Best of October

I post a lot of fashion news on the Beyond Buckskin Facebook Fan Page. It's a great way to share info quickly without having to prep and write an entire post on it.

I've recently started a 'Best of' post for each month where I highlight some of the coolest images, the most interesting articles, the biggest misappropriators, and the neatest videos that were posted to the Beyond Buckskin Facebook page. So, now that we're way into November, it's safe to look back at October and pick out some good ones, so, fashionistas, here you go:

Fashion HEAT | Jamie Okuma

You've undoubtedly seen her work before - either in feature articles in magazines, or in a viral Facebook picture of some killer fully-beaded boots, or at the Heard and Santa Fe Indian Markets snatching up the Best of Show ribbon. Her name is Jamie Okuma, and she is one young, cool beadwork artist who is making waves in the art and fashion worlds. She's a true genius, and whether you're into 'traditional' Native quill and beadwork clothing, or rockin' contemporary Native chic, we all flip when we see her work.

Okuma showed her first fashion collection at the Fashion HEAT event held in August, and I caught up with her to ask her about the show.

BB Facebook | Best of August

I post a lot of fashion news on the Beyond Buckskin Facebook Fan Page. It's a great way to share info quickly without having to prep and write an entire post on it.

However, if I only post it to Facebook, well, Facebook has a tendency to kind of 'swallow' good images, links to articles or videos in the sense that, in general, we don't really want to go through all the scrolling to dig it up again.

So I'm going to start doing a 'Best of' post for each month where I highlight some of the coolest images, the most interesting articles, the biggest misappropriators, and the neatest videos. So, now that we're a week into September, it's safe to look back at August and pick out some good ones, so, fashionistas, here you go:

Scene | Santa Fe Indian Market Booths

Last weekend I attended the Santa Fe Indian Market. And if you don't know about it, here's some fun facts for you:

Santa Fe Indian Market takes over the downtown Plaza area and comprises 14 square city blocks where it features 1,025 artists representing 160 tribes, nations and pueblos. A reported 125,000 visitors attended this year's Market. 

Yes, it is huge.

It is a place where I get to meet up with old friends, meet new friends, and be surrounded by thousands of creative minds. So, I like it.

Grand Procession

I've been asked by Great Plains Quarterly to review Lois Sherr Dubin's book Grand Procession: Contemporary Artistic Visions of American Indians.

The book just came in the mail and I'm pretty excited to check it out. It features the work of Jamie Okuma, the Growing Thunder women, and Rhonda Holy Bear, who are all amazingly talented Native American female artists worthy of large-scale recognition.

Grand Procession is an exhibit put together by the Denver Art Museum to celebrate the contemporary art practice of doll making. This isn't merely 'children's toys', but rather a sculptural art practice of creating human and animal figures all 'dolled up' in highly-detailed regalia. What I appreciate about these artists is the fact that they seek to accurately emulate Plains and Plateau clothing traditions from the 18th and 19th centuries, and they do so in full color and in three dimensions.

Bead Artist Profile | Jamie Okuma

Jamie Okuma (Luiseño/Shoshone-Bannock) began working with beads as a child creating her own dance regalia for powwows near her home, on the La Jolla Luiseño Reservation.

In high school, Okuma made her first miniature jingle dress, which she placed on a doll figure, and thus, the Jamie Okuma we know today emerged.

Historical accuracy, exemplary workmanship, and keen attention to detail are the hallmarks of her dolls, which are also frequently referred to as ‘soft sculptures’ since the term ‘doll’ seems to diminish the aesthetic range of these creations.

Terminology aside, the magnificent small wonders that she creates replicate life in miniature.