ONIGUM — Delina White’s April 25 fashion show at Fashion Week Minnesota has a purpose.
“We are collaborating to bring a celebration of Indigenous creative expression through fashion, designed to elevate and inspire the human spirit and connect across cultures,” White said.
The runway will feature designers like Golga Oscar from the Yup’ik Nation of Alaska and Lavender Kingbird of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe and Red Lake Nation. Also featured are Deer River High School students’ “Anishinaabe Giikinooamaadi'wigamigoong,” fashion designs created through an advanced guided project sponsored by the Blandin Foundation.
As part of the event, the pop-up marketplace has expanded since last year with Native artisans. It features beauty products made from natural ingredients, originally designed fashion, jewelry and accessories.
“It’s a major accomplishment, not only for me, but for the Native creatives in the arts such as performance, theater, music, visual –there's so many behind the scenes.”Delina White
In the second of KAXE’s series of conversations with Delina White about Northern Lights Native Nations Fashion Night, she talked about collaborating with Fashion Week Minnesota and the impact of last year’s event.
“My business spread its wings — to expand into areas of production, direction and promotion into the mainstream fashion industry,” White said.
“It’s a major accomplishment, not only for me, but for the Native creatives in the arts such as performance, theater, music, visual — there's so many behind the scenes.”
Northern Lights Native Nations Fashion Night, sponsored by KAXE/KBXE is April 25 at the Machine Shop in Minneapolis. Tickets are still available.
This event was made possible in part by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund through KBXE.