2013 is shaping up to be an exciting year for Beyond Buckskin!I have spent the past couple weeks traveling, and we just wrapped up a stunning photoshoot in downtown LA and in the Angeles National Forest.
Organized and styled by Bethany Yellowtail (Crow/Northern Cheyenne), the images were shot by Thosh Collins (Pima/Osage) and spotlighted Native models Martin Sensmeier (Tlingit) and Blake Sisk (Osage).
In over 22 looks, the photoshoot will be transformed into a digital and hard copy Lookbook that will feature artists from the Beyond Buckskin Boutique that includes streetwear by Alano Edzerza, Jared Yazzie, David Sloan and Candace Halcro, and couture by Consuelo Pascual, Bethany Yellowtail, Jamie Okuma and Dick Bernanin. Jewelry is by Ista Ska, Nicholas Galanin, David Gaussoin, Wayne Nez, Andrea Preston, MaRia Bird, Kristen Dorsey and TSOul, and a couple other surprise artists. The hard copy book will be pulled together by DGTL/NVJO wiz Victor Pascual and will launch in March. Copies of the book will be available for sale on the Boutique site.
I'm excited for this book because I want it to be something that is historically significant. This is the first time that we have a large group of Native American designers coming together for one shoot, and I want to include striking images alongside simple text that states the artists and the items for an overall slick, cool and sophisticated publication that documents the important Native fashion moment happening now.
The images we shot last weekend are being held under lock and key until they are edited (the images in this post are all cell phone pictures posted to Instagram - the images shot by Thosh are cooler times 100). We will launch the pro pics in late Feb/March. We ultimately want to use the Lookbook to highlight the professionalism of Native artists and designers, and to encourage customers, leaders, and business partners to invest in Native fashion and art as forms of economic development in Indian Country, but also as strong forms sovereignty as it pertains to reclaiming Native representations in media. Furthermore, I plan to send copies of this book to select museums, libraries, or repositories for future reference. We hope this Lookbook will be the first of many.
The video below features Sisk wearing the Red Sea Monster Tunic Dress by Alano Edzerza (Tahltan) and High Fashion earrings by David Gaussoin (Navajo/Picuris Pueblo). Hair and Make-up is by the wonderful and professional superwoman Paloma Alcantar (music is by Ocnotes). The video was shot by me, and edited by Nicholas Galanin (Tlingit/Aleut).
To stay up on the latest, follow us on Instagram under the profile names: @beyondbuckskin, @byellowtail, @thoshographer, @sisk918, @martinyak, and @silverjackson.
