“I’m an artist first, in my mind, and a designer second,” says Elias Jade Not Afraid (Apsaalooké). The artist is known for his stunning contemporary and traditional beadwork, ledger art and clothing designs.
“To me, as a designer, I wouldn’t be able to create or design fabrics, garments [and other] pieces if I didn’t have some artist background beforehand. My first medium is beadwork. I later focused on designs as I grew and applied it to my beadwork and ledger art, later incorporating it into my clothing.”
Recent Collection, 2024; Photographer/Editor: Tira Howard; Model: Ember Whitford
Not Afraid describes his designs as “loud and confident with an edge.” His pieces range from light and simple to loud and eclectic.
“I’m currently working on a collection that’s going to take me some time,” he says, adding that he will be beading each garment by himself. “I don’t have a team of people working for me or working on the items for me, nor do I hire a graphic design artist to make fabric prints for me. I do it all on my own. This next collection is honoring my Apsaalooké heritage while fusing my personal aesthetics with punk/goth vibes into the items as well. There will be more geometric designs fused with my beadwork imagery.”
www.ejnotafraid.com
@eliasnotafraid
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