March 12, 2024, marks the date for the long-awaited fashion show featuring well-loved designers and models from across Turtle Island. The show commences at 7:00 PM at the Omnia Nightclub at Caesars Palace (3570 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109). It is 21+ and projected to end at 10:00 PM. For more information about RES 2024, visit their website.
Continue reading to hear from the producer and designers.
Cora Kay Productions – Cora Kay Chandler (Aaniiih)
“What inspires me to do Indigenous Fashion shows is the amazing feeling I get when I see the first model hit that stage. You can literally feel the static in the room magnify from start to finish. Hearing the amazing feedback from the audiences, hearing how well the artists do when we give them the opportunity to vendor, and seeing our designers travel across Turtle Island and hit the runways in foreign countries is an incredible feeling of pride and accomplishment.”
Red Berry Woman – Norma Baker Flying Horse (Hidatsa-Fort Peck Dakota Sioux-Assiniboine)
“Going up, I was always involved in my culture, not just Powwow, but the traditional customs and ceremonies that our people have. This had a huge influence on my thought process, becoming tribal, and everything I do has an effect on my people, so I do my best to design garments that properly represent who my people are and what designs are our tribal designs. I don’t use designs from other tribes because I can’t explain where they come from. I think that’s important. We respect one another and keep in mind that we each have our tribal designs and purpose for each.”
K. Lookinghorse – Kayla Lookinghorse (Standing Rock Sioux)
“One key element in preparing for a show is to design for the people I choose to highlight their talents. My brand is community-built and highlights the people who wear each custom or ready-to-wear design. I ensure it speaks to their style and shows our stories working together. I hope to shift the narrative of fashion to being more about the people who wear them. I come from humble beginnings rich in culture, spiritual teachings, and living a life full of adventure, which drives the inspiration behind the brand.”
Brocade Stops Black Eagle – Brocade Black Eagle (Crow-Mandan-Hidatsa)
“I draw inspiration for my clothing designs from my love of old Crow-style beadwork, namely the geometry and the color palate. All the different lines I have released were drawn from a piece that my mother or I have personally beaded. Each piece of beadwork was created with intent, whether it be for myself, my sisters, my sons, or any of my loved ones. I name each line after my family. Take, for instance, I beaded a cradleboard for my son Crimson, and when I used the design from that cradleboard for one of my lines, I named it after him.”
Choke Cherry Creek – Angela Howe Parrish (Apsáalooke)
“My journey into fashion has been years in the making but not without many challenges. I struggled with motivation, self-doubt, and balancing family life and business. I pushed through, though. I prayed and worked really hard through the years. I am fairly new to doing fashion shows but not new to designing, sewing, and artistry. I’ve even struggled a little with imposter syndrome and have had to remind myself that I hold a lot of value, especially as an indigenous person, and so, the things I create hold value and uniqueness as well.”
The show will surely be one to remember, and it will have all of Las Vegas talking. Indigenous designs belong in the front and the future of fashion. Our passion and creativity knows no bounds.
