As part of the Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market’s Best of Show Reception, its annual fashion show returns March 6 at 6:30 p.m. This year, the show will take place in the Heard Museum’s newly-remodeled courtyard—allowing for an improved runway experience among tranquil water fountains.
Visitors watch the fashion show at last year’s Best of Show Reception.
“Each original item is designed by artists participating in this year’s Indian Market and Fair,” says MJ Boster, chair of the fashion show. “As in past years, we look forward to a wonderful surprise, as the array of materials and styles are more and more exciting and daring, stretching the levels of creativity. The quality and the number of participants has increased from year to year.”
The Heard Museum recently remodeled its courtyard, where the annual fashion show is held.
From contemporary to traditional, this year’s show will present a well-rounded runway featuring apparel and accessories from more than a dozen artists. Designers include ACONAV’s Loren Aragon, Sho Sho Esquiro, I am Anishinaabe’s Delina White and Sage Davis, custom hat maker Melissa Lewis-Barnes, Beverly Bear King Moran, Penny Singer, Florence Riggs, JT Willie, Summer Peters, TahNibaa Naataanii, Catherine Black Horse, Della Bighair-Stump, Virginia Yazzie-Ballenger, and Leon and Valerie Martinez.
“There are so many elements that inspire my work,” says Lewis-Barnes, who plans on showing her Legendary Collection at this year’s fashion show. “This particular collection is inspired by everything from abstract paintings, contrasting color schemes, jewel tones and turquoise inlay jewelry.”
A model wearing a gown by ACONAV poses in the Museum Courtyard.
Lewis-Barnes adds that the collection features beaver fur hats in a variety of styles and colors, “but I will also be incorporating painted and beaded designs to make each hat unique.”
White and Davis will be sending I am Anishaabe’s collection, From the Woodlands, down the runway.
A traditional outfit by Beverly Bear King Moran on the runway.
A traditional outfit by Beverly Bear King Moran on the runway.“My Great Lakes and Woodland culture is the foundation of everything I do,” explains White. “My work features historically rich fabrics that are reminiscent of the water and the lifeways attached to it. My specialty is designing skirts and jewelry made from Indigenous materials such as birch bark, stones, bones and shells. My brand, I am Anishinaabe, says it all. ‘Anishinaabe’ is the word for all Native peoples in my original language, but because it is in my language, people tend to associate it with the tribal nation of my people; the Anishinaabe who live in the northern part of the United States and southern Canada. I find inspiration within the materials I work and from the historical photos of my ancestors; what they looked like, the way they dressed and how they lived.”
Aragon will be sharing select looks from ACONAV’s spring/summer 2020 couture collection, Pe’eh’cha. Included in the collection are a variety of silks, couture gowns, a two-piece jacket and pant set, and even Swarovski crystals.
Models pose in dresses by Kendra Redhouse.
“It is great to see the continuing advancements of Indigenous designers in the fashion industry,” says Aragon. “It’s even better to see Indigenous fashion getting recognition throughout the world. I hope to see future generations be inspired and carry on in creating an awareness of Indigenous existence and representing our own cultures.” —
March 6, 6:30 p.m.
Fashion Show at the Best of Show Reception
Heard Museum,
2301 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85004
(602) 252-8840, www.heard.org
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