The models and designer for Revolution Couture from left to right: Katie New Holy, Marcus Bear Eagle, Lindsey New Holy, Tyler One Horn, Edison Ritchie (Designer), Jorge Simintal (fashion photographer), Jamie White Face (Miss Oglala Nation), Akisia Milk, Alicia Washington, additional models not in photo Kyerin Bennette, Cole Brings Plenty, Juwan Lakota, and Klay Anne Lyman.
Revolution Couture
By Denise Giago
Eyapaha Today Editor If you search Google image for Native Fashion, the first 20 or more images that come up will most likely be everything from Vogue to Katie Perry. Models donning clothing and accessories that have been acceptably referred to by the industry as “Native inspired fashion” are showing up everywhere. Interestingly, the definition of haute couture perfectly describes the traditional clothing of the Lakota. Haute Couture: (French, for "high sewing" or "high dressmaking" or "high fashion") refers to the creation of exclusive custom-fitted clothing. Haute couture is fashion that is constructed by hand from start to finish. Made from high quality, expensive, often unusual fabric and sewn with extreme attention to detail and finished by the most experienced and capable seamstresses, often using time-consuming, hand-executed techniques. (Wikipedia.com) There is no doubt that American Indian Peoples have always had an undeniable inherent sense of style. It is no wonder that people everywhere are looking to indigenous peoples for inspiration. Despite the controversy, many Native designers see these current trends as an open door to show the world what authentic Native fashion is all about. The latest in a string of Native artists trying their hand in the fashion industry is South Dakota’s own Edison Ritchie. Ritchie is no stranger to the fashion world. With many years of experience under his belt as a make-up and hair artist the designer knows well the ins and outs of this fickle industry. Since returning to his home on the Pine Ridge Reservation, Ritchie has been in the public eye quite a bit with his various community related projects. He considers this a time in his life to “give back” and he is honored and humbled to do so. Ritchie’s connection to the industry as a make-up artist has helped open some doors to exclusive events that may normally be closed to an unknown designer. In fact, his new collection Revolution Couture will be premiering at Portland Fashion week on April 19th. This is huge for the designer because Portland fashion week is the second largest fashion week in the United States. “I am excited, but not just for myself, because this is for the community. I have had enough stuff for myself, giving back in this way is new to me and it feels good. It is meaningful for me. I am happy to be able to use my experience to bring opportunity to more people.” Ritchie sees a great potential for economic development through Revolution Couture. “I am planning in the future to have a fashion house in Pine Ridge where I could employ people from the community to work. Whether it is cutting patterns or sewing, this is a business that could provide an income for local people who are very talented in that area but may not have a formal education in the industry,” says Ritchie. In the mean time, Revolution Couture is taking to the road and Edison Ritchie is not traveling alone. “I am taking all my own models with me to Portland,” says Ritchie, “ten models, all indigenous, all from Pine Ridge. They are Pow wow dancers and college students. We have Jamie White Face, who is Miss Oglala Nation.” Ritchie has been putting his models through a sort of “boot camp” to help prepare them. “It will be an educational experience for them as well as the audience. Though I didn’t have to bring my own models, it is important for me to incorporate our Lakota youth. The rehearsal and training is to help give them the confidence to walk a professional runway and present themselves proudly as ambassadors of the Lakota Nation.” Fashion can also be a vehicle to bring about social awareness and an outlet to make a political statement. Heavily inspired by Ritchie’s youth as an AIM baby, the military aesthetic of Revolution Couture is an opportunity for Edison to bring out social issues that he feels very passionate about. “I plan to use this show as a kind of protest,” explains Ritchie. “My models will be painted on their bodies with NO XL PIPELINE. I want to present these ideas through creative expression to a large audience; Culture, Art, Design as well as social awareness to political and environmental issues.” The designer feels like everything is falling into his lap right now. “That tells me that I am moving in the right direction” explains Ritchie “I feel very fortunate and blessed. After 20 years of work leading up to this point, nothing has ever been personally this big and something I care so much for. This is something born out of nothing,” then Ritchie exclaimed excitedly “From the fire and the ash rose Revolution Couture!” (Denise Giago can be reached at eyapahatoday@nsweekly.com.) Copyright permission Native Sun News
Join the Conversation
