The culture of indigenous tribes is an essential aspect of American identity, and modern artists address their admiration in their creative work. For instance, designer Alano Edzerza presented the cotton Chilkat tunic with ethnic geometric ornament to demonstrate how Native motives and costumes may be integrated into modern fashion (Collins). Although the clothing is sued well and the patterns are bright, the use of cultural heritage in daily life is disrespectful. Indeed, indigenous Americans applied spiritual meaning to their clothes’ ornaments and created them in a specific manner to make them practically appropriate for their needs.
The Chilkat tunic represents Native American fashion as the clothing contains recognizable patterns, and its silhouette is typical for the indigenous culture. Furthermore, specific ornaments, colors, and clothing lengths distinct populations belonging to different areas. The artist represents the Tahltan Pacific Northwest tribes, and it explains the selection of black and white palettes (Portland Art Museum). The tunic also has a leather belt, demonstrating how modern fashion inherited the pieces of clothing that previously served as weapon carriers or spiritual protectors.
Native American fashion collections aim to show respect and immortality of the indigenous culture; however, implementing the items in modern life is false memorization. Indeed, people’s wardrobes evolved as needs for specific clothing emerged, and today, cultural and spiritual context is not equal to the times of Native American tribes’ thriving. The ‘Native Fashion Now’ project is dedicated to the celebration of indigenous designers and helping the nation recall its roots in the continuously evolving culture (Portland Art Museum). American clothes, such as tunics and ethnic ornaments, should be memorized in diverse ways yet integrated into daily life because it diminishes their value and may be incorrectly perceived by the tribes’ heirs.
Works Cited
Collins, Thosh. Alano Edzerza, (Tahltan), Chilkat Tunic. 2013. Portland Art Museum, Portland. Web.
Portland Art Museum. Native Fashion Now, 2016. Web.