Our Minneapolis book club took to the novel and delved into themes about contemporary Native American fashion and indigenous designers.
by Kaylen Ralph
This month, the #AnthroBookClub discussion of Minneapolis-based author Louise Erdrich’s LaRose evolved into a exploration of contemporary Native American fashion and indigenous designers. With the rise of databases such as Beyond Buckskin out here on the Internet, it was easy to edit down a curated list of authentically Native designers and curate a Pinterest board on the same. Our hour and a half discussion couldn’t begin to scratch the surface of everything going on within the indigenous arts and design “community” — that would be impossible — but we did zero in on one designer in particular who has been in the news lately for her unapologetic approach to chic and high-end indigenous design.
Bethany Yellowtail, “…who’s vision and brand values reflect her Apsaalooke (Crow) & Tsetsehestahese & So’taeo’o (Northern Cheyenne) tribal heritage,” is both the designer of her own namesake collection, B.Yellowtail, as well as the founder of the B.Yellowtail Collective, a “…brand initiative which features art from 15+ Native American makers primarily from the Great Plains tribal regions.”
Bethany’s Crow and Northern Cheyenne heritage is distinct from that of the Ojibwe culture explored in LaRose, but recent political events show just how interconnected the Native American population necessarily is in the U.S.
Our team has been closely following the Dakota Pipeline Access protests as we watch this country’s only indigenous population, specifically the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, being faced with the prospect of losing their land, including artifacts and sacred burial grounds, in the interest of oil. After more than 100 protestors were driven from their land last week, Bethany responded on Instagram by invoking her followers and brand enthusiasts to support the tribe and sympathetic protestors by purchasing B.Yellowtail designed “Protector” apparel and accessories. One hundred percent of the profits from these sales will go toward supporting protest efforts on the frontlines, which right now means bailing more than 100 people out of jail.
In a video by the FNX Network about Bethany’s line from more than two years ago, she says, “That’s what fashion is about. It’s able to tell a story. It’s able to translate past just one specific group of people, and really I think it’s powerful that (my collection) will be able to share a message, and be really cool and hip.”
It seems her sentiments are now more prescient than ever.
Want in on #AnthroBookClub? Email Kaylen at WestEndMinnPS@anthropologie.com to RSVP. We meet every third Wednesday of the month at Anthropologie at the West End in Minneapolis, MN. Book Club is expanding, too! November’s discussion of Dear Fang, With Love will take place not only in Minnesota at Anthropologie West End, but in Walnut Creek, California, as well, at the large format Walnut Creek Anthropologie & Co. Kaylen is excited to attend their first discussion on 11/14 at 6 p.m. Please email her if you live in the area and would like to attend!
This announcement originally appeared in our weekly newsletter. With The Riveter newsletter, we bring you thought-provoking interviews, exclusive sneak-peaks of our longform reads, and stories that you won’t find anywhere else, all directly sent to your inbox. To be one of the first readers to find out about stories like these, sign up for our newsletter on our home page.
Kaylen Ralph is The Riveter’s cofounder, editorial development director and brand director. She works as a personal stylist for Anthropologie. Follow her on Instagram @kaylenralph for books, fashion and a lot of content blending those two subjects. You can also find her on Twitter at @kaylenralph.
