Guess what everyone! I am in style! Yes! According to Seventeen Magazine:Navajo's are finally in style!
We're willing to bet that at some point in your life you either a) dressed up as Pocahontas for Halloween or a middle school history project, b) played cowboys and Indians, although we can't quite remember what that entails, or c) made a homemade teepee fort in your backyard and swore you'd never move back into your bedroom again. Well, looks like all those childhood Native American fantasies seem to translate quite well into our fall closets and we personally couldn't be happier – Navajo-inspired friendship bracelets anyone?
Whether you're channeling your inner Sacajawea in bold tribal prints, fringed booties, a shearling collared jacket, or beaded accessories, we're all for it – just stay away from the pigtail braids for now. There's plenty of time for more literal Navajo translations come October 31.
According Style Caster.com, Navajo’s are now in style! At least “Navajo Inspired Fashion” is anyway. The article points out the newest trend on the fashion scene and that is “tribal” “Indian” prints, clothing, and accessories. Yet, the articles of clothing produced by prestigious fashion designs are nothing but the styling’s of the stereotypical Indian. Furthermore, the blogger, Michelle Halpern, obviously has very little knowledge of Native American apparel or design, because anything with fringe and a geometric pattern is labeled “Navajo”. Her article degrades Native American culture by poking fun at the “cowboy and Indian” and “Pocahontas” cliché’s:
“We're willing to bet that at some point in your life you either a) dressed up as Pocahontas for Halloween or a middle school history project, b) played cowboys and Indians, although we can't quite remember what that entails, or c) made a homemade teepee fort in your backyard and swore you'd never move back into your bedroom again. Well, looks like all those childhood Native American fantasies seem to translate quite well into our fall closets and we personally couldn't be happier – Navajo-inspired friendship bracelets anyone?”
According to Michelle, Native American fashion and clothing has little to do with cultural heritage and pride, but more about playing dress up and reliving childhood fantasies of the historic American Indian.
While, I am an advocate of Native American fashion, clothing, and design, I find this article to be nothing more than a slap to face to more than 500 distinctive Native American tribes. While I can appreciate the designs she show, I fail to see how a Balmain black leather beaded sandal ($956) or leather Ralph Lauren fridge scandal ($342) has anything to do with Native America. There is no distinctive quality about the clothing presented in this article, only the confused designs of an ignorant American fashion trend. However, I adore some of the accessories and clothing presented in this article, such as Pendelton buckle bag ($258) and a Navajo rug design Cardigan from Free People ($168). However, these designs are few and far between and market for hundreds of dollars. Even IF I had the money to invest in such cute works of art, I still would refrain from doing so, because I am sure there are many Native American designers who produce authentic works of art to showcase their creative talents and cultural heritage. Fortunately, for many, “Navajo-inspired” clothing is not a trend. We wear our heritage with pride 365 days a year, and don’t have to buy cheap Pocahontas rip offs to prove it!
