Native Fashion Show Honors Women, Empowers Future

American Indian Graduate Student Association
Contact: Gerard Begay (M) (602) 301-3969 asu-aigsa@hotmail.com

NATIVE FASHION SHOW HONORS WOMEN, EMPOWERS FUTURE
AIGSA Fashion Show Provides Platform for Native Designers and Models
Posted at Censored News
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"Our Past, Our Present Woven Together: Honoring Our Native Women in Fashion" is the theme for the 2nd Annual AIGSA Fashion Show. The theme highlights the strength of Native women, which is drawn from their Native cultures, values, and traditions and uniquely woven into their daily modern lives. Native women don’t walk in two worlds, they combine them and provide the inspiration to shape the destiny of our communities while emulating and honoring our traditions and values.

Designer and model participants are from Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah and represent tribes from throughout the U.S. The various designs and accessories reflect the diversity of cultures and traditions of the Native community. Incorporating traditional concepts into modern fashion provides a powerful form of cultural expression. Student and amateur designers and models will be participating alongside professionals. Last year over 200 people attended and this year even more are expected.

The American Indian Graduate Student Association (AIGSA) is a student organization at Arizona State University that strives to support American Indian graduate students in higher education, serves as mentors to the American Indian undergraduates and raises awareness of American Indian culture, issues and concerns. The purpose of the AIGSA Fashion Show is to celebrate the many inspirational and successful Native American women in the community and to raise public awareness.

Appearances will be made by Miss Indian ASU Mykhal Mendoza, Miss Navajo Nation Crystalyne Gaye Curley, Miss Phoenix United States 2012 Tashina Atine, and Miss Indian Arizona 1st Attendant Martha Ludlow Martinez.

Designers include Marco Arviso, Kevin Duncan, House of Darylene, Dineh Couture, Earle Couture, Glacsy, Genevieve Hardy, Cher Thomas, Shayne Watson and Kevin Whitehat.

The AIGSA Fashion Show will take place on Thursday, April 19, 2012 from 12pm to 1pm on Hayden Lawn at the Arizona State University, Tempe Campus.