Native Fashion

September 1, 2024–January 5, 2025

Sam & Connie Perkins Central Court, Dolph Simons Family Gallery, Estelle S. & Robert A. Long Ellis Foundation Gallery

High-heeled Converse sneakers covered in red beadwork with two butterflies and a pregnant Indigenous woman

Teri Greeves: Spider Woman/Emerging Woman, 2015, Collection Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art, Johnson County Community College, Overland Park, Kansas, Gift of the H Tony and Marti Oppenheimer Foundation, EL2024.018.a,b

Silver circular pieces with inlaid depictions of hats and masks are held together by rings, creating a long chain displayed as a spiral

Native Fashion features traditional garments, powwow regalia, streetwear, accessories, haute couture, photography, and contemporary art by national and local Indigenous designers alongside examples from the Spencer Museum's collection. The exhibition highlights the artistic richness of wearable artworks and their connection to historical and contemporary culture as expressions of tribal and personal identity. An accompanying runway show will showcase the talent of contemporary makers and remind visitors that display cases are not the natural context for Indigenous apparel. The exhibition examines the role fashion and adornment play in Indigenous lifeways through four themes that were developed in collaboration with a team of Native community advisors:

“Resilience” features Indigenous genius through innovation, technology, and resourceful use of materials, including how trade among Native groups and later Europeans affected craft, design, and embellishment.

“Representation” celebrates the diversity that exists among tribal nations, featuring various styles of traditional and contemporary dress while educating the public about the differences between cultural appropriation and appreciation.

“Resistance” examines the impact of colonization, government policies, and activism on Indigenous identity and dress, including the ways in which activist groups utilized wearable symbols for awareness and solidarity. 

“Relations” highlights artists, designers, and storytellers within Lawrence and the surrounding region. An interactive display will feature portraits of Indigenous community members taken by photography students at Haskell Indian Nations University. 

Silver circular pieces with inlaid depictions of hats and masks are held together by rings, creating a long chain displayed as a spiral
Silver circular pieces with inlaid depictions of hats and masks are held together by rings, creating a long chain displayed as a spiral
Eddie Tsalabutie
concho belt
mid 1900s–1965
Two large sneakers painted in an ombre of yellow, orange, and red; each has a unique painted depiction of an older Native man
Two large sneakers painted in an ombre of yellow, orange, and red; each has a unique painted depiction of an older Native man
Chris Pappan
Bless All Those Who Walk Here
2010
A young woman wearing a blue patchwork skirt and large silver necklace opens a wooden fence gate and steps out from a yard, gripping a coffee mug in one hand
A young woman wearing a blue patchwork skirt and large silver necklace opens a wooden fence gate and steps out from a yard, gripping a coffee mug in one hand
Ryan RedCorn
Portrait of Portlyn Harjo, Creek/Seminole
2019
A white mannequin with a pink feathered mask covering its face clothed in a dress with cream feathers and fringe on the body and lime green fringe at the bottom
A white mannequin with a pink feathered mask covering its face clothed in a dress with cream feathers and fringe on the body and lime green fringe at the bottom
Jontay “Kahm” Kahmakoatayo
Void
2023
A black square bag with silver spikes around the perimeter hanging from two silver chains; the center of the bag is beaded with a photorealistic image of a pale man’s face covered in nails and blood
A black square bag with silver spikes around the perimeter hanging from two silver chains; the center of the bag is beaded with a photorealistic image of a pale man’s face covered in nails and blood
Jamie Okuma
Becoming
2022
A turquoise mosaic of a human with bird-like wings hangs on a leather string above two smaller matching figures
A turquoise mosaic of a human with bird-like wings hangs on a leather string above two smaller matching figures
Bernard Homer
bolo tie
late 1800s–1964
Lani Porter
quill wrapped bracelet
1992
A doll of a Native woman sitting on a black horse with her hair in two long braids, wrapped in a blanket with a beaded cradle board strapped to her side; the horse wears beaded accessories
A doll of a Native woman sitting on a black horse with her hair in two long braids, wrapped in a blanket with a beaded cradle board strapped to her side; the horse wears beaded accessories
Rhonda Holy Bear
Pretty Shield and Raven
1990

Supporters

This exhibition and related programming are supported by the Kansas Arts Commission; the Lawrence Cultural Arts Commission and the City of Lawrence; a KU Racial Equity Research, Scholarship & Creative Activity Fund; KU Student Senate; the KU Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging; Friends of the Art Museum; the Linda Inman Bailey Exhibitions Fund; the Judith M. Cooke Native American Art Fund; and generous donations from Mary Beth and Patrick Musick, Kevin and Deb Boatright, and Elizabeth Schultz.

Exhibition Resources

View full exhibition record

Explore this exhibition in our online collection to find a complete object list, label text, and additional images.

Explore a 3D tour of this exhibition