Turning Heads

Montana has a vibrant Native American culture. Though this culture is often marginalized and ignored, MSU founded a day of celebration to highlight the experiences of the 12 tribes throughout Montana. Friday, Sept. 25, was MSU’s American Indian Heritage Day. To celebrate, the American Indian Council hosted a fashion show on the Centennial Mall featuring facemasks. The show featured three Native fashion designers, Rose Williamson and Della BigHair-Stump from the Crow Nation and Carrie Moran-McQueary from the Little Shell Nation, as well as 24 models showing off their breathtaking work with masks to match.  

Each outfit worn by the models reflected past and present Native culture. Their silhouettes were timeless, but the stylings were tribal-contemporary. The colors were vibrant and eye-popping and every outfit featured beads and feathers. There were beads stitched along the hemline of skirts and on the lone male model’s tie, with feathers that dangled from ears and hung on the sides of masks. No two models looked alike, showing the independence and meticulous work behind each design. 

Imagine those turquoise and red cave paintings of running horses that you see in movies like “Brother Bear.” Now picture those images printed on a dress, with tassels swaying above a pair of cowboy boots. Featured was a strapless red dress with fringe down to the heels, similar to a dress someone would wear to a prom. The dress featured eagle feathers stitched in the shape of a woman’s hair across the body, which drew eyes and turned heads. These designs were beautifully indescribable, wonderfully outlandish and would have never entered the minds of mainstream New York or Los Angeles designers. It takes a creative individual to transform a  diverse and unique Native culture into stunning works of art that can be worn by anyone. 

Moran-McQueary was praised by Williamson in the show for her use of upcycling. She not only creates her own fabric, patterns but also uses old clothes she finds from thrift stores and antique shops to pair with her original creations. With this, she shows that anyone can make beautiful clothes that suit anyone’s fashion tastes. Montana has a Native culture that is lively and should be celebrated more for all that they have contributed to the history of our country.