Danita Strawberry designs at the fair 2011.
Dancers take the stage for entertainment at All Indian Day at the Central States Fair in Rapid City.
RAPID CITY, SOUTH DAKOTA –– Fresh faced runway models wearing the latest and exciting Native American fashions hit the Knology stage last Wednesday afternoon, August 24, at the Central States Fair. Three Native fashion designers converged to show their newest and freshest business, casual, and evening wear. Poised Native models strolled the stage for the more than 80 people who had gathered to enjoy the the show. Jen Ghost Bear provided background music using her hand drum while softly singing Native love songs. First to hit the runway was the designs by Darlene Perkins, which feature simplistic, yet elegant fashions using natural elements from Native culture. Sea shells and beading are humbly incorporated into her designs allowing for the wearers’ personality to speak for itself. Darlene Perkins is an Arikara/Lakota who makes her home in Parshall, North Dakota. Next up with her Native collection was designer Mildred Carpenter who dresses a Native man proud and a woman stunning. Pictured with Carpenter, model Juan need only to step into the spotlight as his long hair adorns his describably made-for-a-Native man ensemble. In the same spirit, model Calsee need not adorn herself with heavy accessories to enhance the entire look relying on her poise and grace which all Native women possess to exemplify themselves. Mildred Carpenter can be reached at mildcarp@gmail.com and www.myspace.com/mildjnativefashiondesign. Carpenter is from the Mnicoujou Lakota from the Great Cheyenne River Sioux Nation in Eagle Butte. Carpenter is particularly proud of her wedding dress designs. Native designer Danita Strawberry is a Cree and Saulteaux woman from Alberta, Canada emphasized traditional elements into her collection. One-of-a-kind Pendleton chaps with geometric patterns was featured in her boys’ design. Pulling from traditional Native dance regalia, Strawberry incorporated jingles and fringe into her classic western-style collection for young ladies. Entrepreneur Strawberry creates fashions specifically for Native American professionals, both women and men. Strawberry is the founder and owner of and principal designer for Sky Spirit Collections, LLC, a clothing production company soon to be based in Santa Fe New Mexico. Strawberry – who designs “clothing with a Native flair” – held a workshop at the Holiday Inn-Rushmore Plaza Hotel on Tuesday, Aug. 23. The workshop introduced attendees to Sky Spirit Collections and provided information for breaking into the fashion industry. She has designed gowns for Canada’s contestants in the Miss Teen, Miss International, Miss Globe, and Miss Universe pageants. Strawberry is in the process of relocating her business to New Mexico. She donates one dollar from the sale of each one of her clothing items to the elders on the Pine Ridge reservation as she has friendly ties to the area. Strawberry can be reached at info@skyspiritcollections.com as her website, www.SkySpiritCollections.com is currently under construction. The fashion show was held in cooperation with Red Spirit Fashion Show organizer, Dixie Holy Eagle. (Contact Jesse Abernathy at staffwriter@nsweekly.com)
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