New trends revealed in ethnic fashion show
Walt Porter
Fifteen Native American designers came together to support MCC’s Hoop of Learning Program at the Heard Museum fashion show in downtown Phoenix. The designers traveled from different areas to showcase their work and give Jackson Harris’s students a glimpse of what they may see if they choose this profession.
“This is a perfect chance for some of my students to look around and see what is being offered to them,” Harris said, “some of the students may want to become a designer, a photographer or event planner in the future.”
The audience was invited to wear their traditional clothing and they were encouraged to represent themselves and their communities.
Photographer Bob Rink set up an on-location portrait studio for those families to take group photos to raise money for the Hoop of Learning fund.
The theme of the show was “Ancestral Treasure Expressed Through Fashion.”
In the introduction, Harris talked about a Lakota woman who expressed her feelings on the well-known men in her tribe who get so much praise, when the women are just as important.
“The women were held back during battles and when they were over, the women would then go to search for their men. Also, they would avenge the other fallen warriors by killing the soldiers with superficial wounds. They would cut the buttons off of the jackets and wear them to represent the men they’ve killed while searching for their loved ones,” Harris said.
Eddie Webb, an English instructor at MCC was able to help document footage and photograph the event with his own company, Red Pony Film.
Webb described it as, “Unbelievable. People coming together and celebrating entrepreneurs, education, culture and community, it simply doesn’t get any better than that… Now I have all these … models trying to get on my Facebook.”
Webb created a 12 minute film based on the Hoop of Learning Program and Native American fashion, which played throughout the show.
Webb said, “I was in the entertainment business, I am able to implement those skills. It’s a better experience for students.”
The Hoop of Learning Program has grown from 5 to 40, and Harris’ background in public relations has definitely been able to bring the students at MCC to the forefront.
“This was a big deal for our school and for the tribes at large, we want to continue this kind of community exposure and collaboration because it’s such a positive experience.” Webb said, “This administration should be proud of what their Indian people are doing.We’re working really hard.”
Cher Thomas, Ms. Indian ASU, was a volunteer designer for the fashion show and got her start making evening gowns.
UN3EK SY5TEM had created the modern moccasins by re-designing a pair of Nike shoes with vivid color.
Many of the designers had a pop/modern trend to their creations.
