Patricia Michaels Party and Project PM Waterlily

I am writing to you live from Santa Fe where the annual SWAIA Indian Market is kicking off. The days are sunny, mixed in with some dashes of thunder and quick downfalls of much-needed rain in this gorgeous high desert region and the creative energy of Indian Market is filling the atmosphere as we inch closer to the weekend.

I'm meeting with Amber-Dawn Bear Robe who is working with Patricia Michaels and her team to host a fun fashion fundraiser in just 2 days.

Patricia, who placed second in last seasons Project Runway competition, is dead set on getting her designs back to New York for fashion week in September. She showed her work there for the first time in 2009 with a collective of other designers under an initiative by the Unreserved Alliance.

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.

Braver: A New Project Fundraiser for the American Indian Cancer Foundation

Beyond Buckskin is proud to announce the BBB launch of a new earring design developed by MaRia Bird (Navajo/Hopi) for the American Indian Cancer Foundation. The earring, titled Braver, was created to raise money and awareness for cancer education, outreach, and supportive services for American Indian and Alaska Native people. This limited edition Powwow for Hope earring was launched in March.

"I'm very grateful to be a part of this project because I lost my father to cancer in 2009," explained MaRia Bird, the earring's creator.

Threads of Color

Threads of Color is a non-profit organization founded in order to raise scholarships for fashion and business students studying at LIM College in New York.

Among the Threads of Color principals is a desire to celebrate “diversity” within the United States fashion industry.

Many of our country’s best and most exciting designers were born outside of the US, or were born here but have strong ties to their cultural heritage. Some of these designers are very well known, while others exist under the mainstream media radar. Often, they must to work twice as hard to glean half as much. Luckily their tenacity and talent usually pays off.

Thanks to high profile supporters such as First Lady Michelle Obama, designers of diversity are at the forefront of the changing face of fashion. She has made a concerted effort to wear and promote the work of Isabelle Toledo (Cuban American), Jason Wu (Chinese American), and Tracy Reese (African American). Individuals in the industry have taken note of this movement towards diversity and inclusion and are keeping an open eye.

Threads of Color plans to raise money for scholarships by holding a fashion shown in September during the United Nations Word Summit. The project is shaping up to be an unprecedented and exciting event.

Designers from over twenty-five countries and four continents have already committed to participating in the event thus far, and they include Native American designer Patricia Michaels of Water Lilly Designs.

To maximize the amount of scholarship funds, everyone connected to the Threads of Color project is donating their time and services.

Read more about Threads of Color at their website: www.threadsofcolor.org. (Click here to read the original article)


(Patricia Michaels' Bark Dress)


(Fashion designs by Patricia Michaels for NY Fashion Week 2010)

Event | Thunder Run Fashion Show

Buffalo Thunder Resort & Casino, teaming with the New Mexico Rail Runner Express, will be hosting a rail fashion show Saturday, January 23 from 6-8 p.m. The Casino, in its effort to support Native arts, is presenting this opportunity to view the hottest in Native fashion.

The fashion show, titled Thunder Run, will feature designs by Pilar Agoyo, Michelle Tapia Browning, Jerry Ingram, Patricia Michaels, and Penny Singer. These couture garments will be worn by all New Mexico models. I’ve had the great pleasure of viewing fashion shows featuring the edgy vinyl garments by Agoyo and the ephemeral clothing by Michaels, and this show will definitely be a crowd pleaser. Tapia Browning works in a variety of media, including photography, but she also designs clothing for family and friends, including the Pueblo of Pojoaque Governor George Rivera. She also designed the uniforms worn by most Buffalo Thunder hotel personnel. Ingram is known for replicating historic beadwork created by Plains and Plateau Indians during the late 1800s, and Singer’s chic jackets are always quick to sell. Augusta Meyers, former news anchor, will emcee the event.

Thunder Run is an opportunity for New Mexicans to enjoy chic Native fashion and great food and spirits all while benefiting a worthy cause: although the event is free and open to the public, donations will be collected for the Northern New Mexico Boys & Girls Clubs. Fashion for a cause!

Many of these designers are featured in the new Thunder Magazine, which was published this month. Thunder Magazine is an in-room publication of Buffalo Thunder Resort & Casino designed for resort guests, and is distributed at the property and other Pojoaque Pueblo locations. This publication will be available to all fashion show guests, who will also enjoy savory hors d’œuvres and a goodie bag packed with gifts, including Medicine Mountain body lotion, a signature offering of Buffalo Thunder Resort’s luxurious Wo’P’in Spa.

Details:
WHAT: Thunder Run Fashion Show
WHERE: Tewa Grand Ballroom at the Buffalo Thunder Resort & Casino, 30 Buffalo Thunder Trail, Santa Fe, NM. Highway 84/285.
WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 23, 6–8 p.m.
COST: Free. Open to the public
INFO: 877-848-6337

For a Good Cause

(Image from Dreamthecure.org and The Wisconsin Pink Shawl Initiative)

Recently I came across an article on Inmates sewing Pink Shawls for breast cancer survivors, and it reminded me of one of my favorite aspects of fashion: philanthropy.

Several fashion designers participate in events - such as fundraisers or awareness projects - for good causes - such as youth programs, AIDS awareness, women's shelters, etc. For example, in 2005, First Nations fashion designers collaborated to create a show that would benefit young Aboriginal children in need. This act of giving back draws from both Native American concepts of community betterment, but also the fashion industry's sense of philanthropy.

One major goal of the Pink Shawl Project is to spread awareness about breast cancer, and this is important to do: Melissa Spotted Bear said cancer is the second-leading cause of death among American Indians, who are often diagnosed later in life than other segments of the population.

The project aims to create a forum for Native Women to raise breast health awareness and education issues in a non invasive and culturally sensitive way, to bring multi-generational teachings together, to reduce mistrust issues with western medicine, and to decrease negative issues with body image for all age groups.

The pink shawl idea started in the Great Lakes region in 2003. Creators of the shawl say breast cancer wasn't as common among Native American Women until pollution and modern foods made them vulnerable. While the rate of breast cancer isn't higher than the national average for Native American women, the death rate is much higher. The pink shawl is a reminder about early detection using an ancient symbol.

Most of the inmates working on the shawls were of American Indian descent and have been touched by breast cancer. This article was a reminder that even within the confines of a state prison, women aren't shielded from cancer and the impact it can have on the loved ones of those who are diagnosed.

(Image from Dreamthecure.org and The Wisconsin Pink Shawl Initiative)

Event | ‘Evolution’ a Celebration of Indigenous Art and Design

One thing I love about Native American/First Nations fashion is the fact that several designers donate their time and energy to good causes. It’s a long tradition of caring for the community, and here’s the latest event, Evolution a Celebration of Indigenous Art and Design, in support of the Hamilton Native Women’s Centre. The hosts, who include First Nations fashionista Angela DeMontigny, explain:

Understanding that there is a need of support services for our sisters in times of struggle &, knowing that requiring the services of a shelter is unimaginable to a most people; iKANADA Productions Inc. is hosting Evolution a celebration of Indigenous Art and Design in support of the Hamilton Native Women's Centre. This 'unimaginable' is an unfortunately reality for too many women and the hard work and efforts of these services go unrecognized and, all too often, unsupported. iKANADA Productions Inc. is honoured, having been given the vision to create Evolution and we are hopeful that you will take a moment to come & show your support during the Canadian Aboriginal Festival 2009 www.canab.com

NIa:wen,
Lee Arden Lewis & Angela DeMontigny
iKANADA Productions Inc.

RSVP - EvolutionRSVP@gmail.com

‘Evolution’ a Celebration of Indigenous Art and Design
Start Time: Thursday, November 26, 2009 at 6:00pm
End Time: Friday, November 27, 2009 at 4:00pm
Location: The Studio's at Hotel Hamilton
Street: 193 James St. N.
City/Town: Hamilton, ON