Native American Style

[AlexN]

Spike, you're right. And I guess there's nothing really wrong with the pieces SC is wearing, but the vibe I get from that picture is totally derogatory and stupid.

 

[fouroclock]

I agree that what's been shown so far in this thread is somewhat patronizing towards the Native people.

 

[Lena]

I don't understand why people would find borrowing from Native American cultures offensive, unless they find borrowing ideas and themes from any culture disrespectful. If that's the case then aren't tiered skirts, flamenco ruffles, saris, batik prints, kimonos, cheongsams, ponchos, tribal motifs et all equally disrespectful as far as fashion goes?

.

spike, you said it for me..
as for Sofia's look, come now, it was a costume theme party, people were just having fun, i mean Jacobs was dressed as a PIG, i dont see whats the big deal.. or why people get so upset about native american influences..

personally i'm a great admirer of the native american culture and certainly hate the way 'the white man' treated natives when 'invading' americas, it was obviously the biggest and most cruel genocide in the history of this planet..

but still, native american influence is not ridicule (seeing bugs bunny acting native american in warner bros cartoons IS but i dont see anyone getting offended by this..)
i'd say, relax and enjoy the native mood..
its only a sign of the times, people taking esthetic refuge in ancestors, be it asian, central european, gypsy/roma, or native american.. the trend portrays a need for what is lost..

 

[fouroclock]

Semi-random thought: I guess something has to be done so that the Native styles won't look like what someone would wear in a costume party. More specifically, the influences can be stripped down and simplified like other non-western styles ie. the way YSL, McQueen etc. was inflenced by China.

 

[hokte]

spike, you said it for me..
as for Sofia's look, come now, it was a costume theme party, people were just having fun, i mean Jacobs was dressed as a PIG, i dont see whats the big deal.. or why people get so upset about native american influences..

personally i'm a great admirer of the native american culture and certainly hate the way 'the white man' treated natives when 'invading' americas, it was obviously the biggest and most cruel genocide in the history of this planet..

but still, native american influence is not ridicule (seeing bugs bunny acting native american in warner bros cartoons IS but i dont see anyone getting offended by this..)
i'd say, relax and enjoy the native mood..
its only a sign of the times, people taking esthetic refuge in ancestors, be it asian, central european, gypsy/roma, or native american.. the trend portrays a need for what is lost..

I can understand your viewpoint, but I think the biggest problem is the native regalia being portrayed as a costume. We refer to our traditional dress as regalia and it is held with high respect, something that is not usually displayed when someone is trying to imitate, especially on the way to a costume party. Countless hours are spent choosing designs, beading and putting outfits together, sometimes it takes years and then to see people putting on "war paint", with some shoddy garb thrown together is disappointing. I don't expect anyone to see this from my shoes, but that's just how i feel and I'm sure a few other natives who are know what I'm talking about.

BTW I don't have any problem with people copying in a tasteful manner, but there is that line that sometimes people cross which then becomes offensive. Hope this makes sense....

 

[Lena]

We refer to our traditional dress as regalia and it is held with high respect, something that is not usually displayed when someone is trying to imitate, especially on the way to a costume party. Countless hours are spent choosing designs, beading and putting outfits together, sometimes it takes years and then to see people putting on "war paint", with some shoddy garb thrown together is disappointing.

hokte, native dress to me is even more than 'regalia'.. having 'studied' the native american culture i'd dare say that it's folklore details are based on cultural/spiritual tradition 'details' such as samanism.
still, the use of native american 'codes' as 'costume' was what started my interest in the true meaning of native culture, even as a kid i wanted to understand what is it that makes native americans dress the way they did in those cheesy hollywood movies..
one never knows how the individual may react in something as simple as the abused portray of native dress 'codes' as costume.. it may lead people to see more than just feathers and headresses and through 'costume use' try to find out the beauty of native american culture leading one to discover the true inner symbolism of the native folklore dress..