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Phoenix Indian Center to Celebrate the Art of Native Fashion in Virtual Silver & Turquoise Ball

The Silver and Turquoise Ball will be streamed live on October 16 from 7 to 8 p.m., with complimentary registration

Phoenix, AZ – American Indian fashion will take center stage at the annual Silver & Turquoise Ball, a fundraising event supporting Phoenix Indian Center (PIC), which, for the first time, will take place virtually on Friday, October 16, from 7 to 8 p.m. PST. The theme for the live-streamed event is Celebrating the Art of Native Fashion and will feature three fashion shows: Lloyd Kiva New presented by Fashion by Robert Black, Water Lily presented by Patricia Michaels, and ACONAV by Loren and Valentina Aragon.

"This show will challenge people's preconceived notions about American Indian fashion," said Patti Hibbeler, CEO of Phoenix Indian Center. "We'll see how designs have evolved over the decades and celebrate the best modern American Indian designers."

"Lloyd Kiva New's designs transcended cultural boundaries and brought recognition to Native fashion designers in a predominately white industry," said Loren Aragon (Acoma Pueblo), fashion designer, artist and founder of ACONAV. "This fashion show is an opportunity to showcase the evolution and diversity of Native fashion, while supporting an organization that does so much for our communities."

Phoenix Indian Center will provide an Indigenous-inspired appetizer recipe ahead of the event, courtesy of American Indian Chef Brian Yazzie, for those registered by Thursday, October 8. Also, one lucky person will win a virtual cooking lesson by Chef Yazzie during the live event. Guests who are local to the Phoenix area will have the opportunity to purchase and pre-order a locally prepared dinner to be delivered to their home to enjoy while watching the online event.

"While this important event will look different than it has in years past, we are excited to offer the Silver & Turquoise Ball virtually for the first time, with complimentary registration," said Hibbeler. "We feel it is important to provide some sense of normality and focus on the beauty of our American Indian culture in healing, while staying safe."

PIC encourages guests to celebrate virtually by posting photos in your Native American fashion, whether traditional or contemporary, and wearing your favorite silver and turquoise jewelry. Guests can use the hashtag #VirtualSnTBall20 to engage during the live event.

Registration for the Silver & Turquoise Ball is complimentary, and those interested can register here. Sponsorship opportunities are also available.

Featuring

Lloyd Kiva New (Cherokee) is best known for fashion design and developing innovative concepts in culturally-based education for Native people. He earned national acclaim throughout the 1950s for his handbags, clothing, and printed textiles, helping develop Scottsdale, Arizona, into a center for handcrafted arts. His collection will be presented by Robert Black, founder of the international talent and model agency Ford Robert Black Agency. His vintage-style boutique, Fashion by Robert Black, is located in Old Town Scottsdale.

Patricia Michaels (Taos Pueblo) was a finalist on season 11 of Project Runway and is a world-renowned fashion and textile designer. Her creations can be found in museums, museum shops, and boutique galleries throughout the United States. She was awarded the inaugural Arts & Designs Award by the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian.

ACONAV was founded by Loren (Acoma Pueblo) and Valentina (Navajo) Aragon. It is a couture fashion brand based on the idea of proper and respectful representation of American Indian culture in fashion. The purpose of the brand is to share, educate, and connect its audience to the artistry and the Acoma ways of life.

Chef Brian Yazzie is from Dennehotso, Arizona and based out of Saint Paul, Minnesota. Brian and his fiancée, Hoonmana Polk, are the founders/owners of Intertribal Foodways, a catering company focusing on working with and for the betterment of tribal communities, and wellness and health through Indigenous foods.

 
 

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LakotaWoman48 writes:

Link to register for event