HERITAGE
34.6384ºN x 79.1097ºW
This project is predominantly inspired by my culture as a Native American woman of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina. Many traditions within my tribe are held sacred and closely protected within the tribe, we are a small community with only about 30,000 tribal members remaining. Native erasure is a big problem within the US and beyond, so I aim to use this as an opportunity to educate and shine light on the true beauty and essence of Native culture, while respecting its spiritual and cultural value and sanctity. I researched both the traditional dress of my ancestors through family archives as well as modern interpretations of regalia, seen in garments such as the ribbon skirt. As an additional aspect of influence for this project, I incorporated the work of french designer Anne Marie Beretta into my design process. I was drawn to her large silhouettes of heavy jackets and blanket-like coats which mirrored the practices of quilting found within my culture.
These designs were developed out of the merging of Beretta’s silhouette with that of powwow dancers, and the collaging of quilting techniques and native pattern developments. As the Lumbee culture is enriched with bountiful hand crafted details, I have narrowed my focus to include quilting techniques, ribbon skirts, and traditional regalia dress with shawls.