There is always something special about an opening and premiere moment. It usually calls for an iconic outfit! Peshawn Bread (Comanche/Kiowa/Cherokee) arrived ready to impress in an intricate deep red grid fabric tailored as a pleated collar dress and adorned by a strappy leather harness. On brand with the film, the Indigenous Dominatrix aesthetic is completed with a Moth To The Flvme contemporary jingle chain.
Earlier this month, Sundance film fellow and rising screenwriter, poet, and cinematographer, Bread celebrated the opening of a four month long Indigenous film exhibit. With Bread’s growing audience, it is now more accessible to the public at the Poeh Cultural Center in Santa Fe, New Mexico now through October 2023. Bread’s latest work, a mockumentary called The Daily Life of Mistress Red centers Indigenous comedy, women, and sexuality. It’s been previously screened at the: 47th Annual American Indian Film Festival, Silver Sprocket Screening with performance by Terria XO, and the Dead Center Film Festival since last November.
Celina Julie Careaga (Salt River Pima Maricopa), founder of Moth To The Flvme dressed Bread with a jingle chain for the “SEEING RED” film exhibit’s opening event. Careaga first posted the trending contemporary jingle chains in June 2022. Within a few days her unique chains were lighting up Instagram feeds, and catching the attention of Native stars and trendsetters across the country.
Careaga’s jewelry style is bold, and unique. Something that Indigenous identity encompasses, with a touch of rock and roll. The pieces she creates all carry an identity of their own. The multilayered chains feature charms from lightning bolts to roses, and the jingle cones vary from nickel to specialty stylized cones. The contemporary jingle chains are offered at varying lengths and can be worn in multiple styles, whether on pants, a halter, as a purse chain, or fancy way to conceal a wide-neck shirt cut. As imaginative as you can wear it, these fiery chains will make you feel unstoppable.
Moth To The Flvme also has jingle chain earrings featured on the runway at the Fashion Art Toronto Fashion 2023 Show. Actor and model, Floyd Hudson (Cree and Ojibwe), “walked the runway for Toronto based designers Lesley Hampton x Aaniin at the Fashion Art Toronto 2023 fashion show while wearing a pair of my jingle chain earrings.” Looking just “all bad“, Careaga proudly states. Known for her expressive fashion pieces the brand is declared to be, “for the alternative, the punks, the indigenous goths, and those who want to wear this good medicine in a contemporary way.”
“My work and creative expressions find their deepest inspiration in three essential elements,” Careaga explains, “My culture, the profound impact of my children, and the invaluable support they provide in my journey of healing from trauma and nurturing my mental well being.” Fashion, identity and spirituality have an intersection. These chains carry what represents a form of empowering and healing medicine. “The outpouring of support from the community has been truly incredible. However, what brings me the most happiness is the profound impact my designs have had on other natives.” Careaga is humbled by the reach of her work and how her customers express themselves while wearing her pieces, “It feels wonderful to know that my jingle chains are meaningful to them just as much as they are to me.”
I think we’ll be seeing a lot more of Careaga’s work on the fashion scene in the upcoming months. She mysteriously revealed that, “Next month, I’ll be visiting Santa Fe for a market, and although I won’t be there with a booth, I do have plans to sell at another event in the area. That is something that I am looking forward to.” So if you are in Santa Fe, New Mexico this Summer be sure to check out Bread’s latest mockumentary at the Poeh Cultural Center and try to catch up with Careaga at some of the fun events and markets happening this August.
You can find Careaga’s Moth To The Flvme pieces at her website here.
