The Koous Collection is a textile art presentation of Indigenous oral teachings through animal imagery from Nuu-chah-nulth artist and designer J'net AyAy Qwa Yak Sheelth Cavanagh. The Koous Collection reveals the interconnections with the natural world to strategically preserve retain and promote traditional oral teachings. I create wearable Indigenous textile art in casual to formal attire to nurture a positive contemporary image.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Northern Styles hosted a cultural event in Edmonton recently and featured a few of my Koous Collection original fashion designs. The blue Mandarin style dress to the left is a size 8-10.
This dress has a native style print fabric for the bodice and a matching native print stripe down the left side of the dress. Zipper in the back with a white fringe accent. This dress is priced at $200.00
Northern Styles has recently returned from Edmonton, AB and represented a sample of my Koous Collection original fashion designs. This wrap-around Mandarin style dress with a hand-made fringe is appliquéd west coast influenced peacock feathers. Because of the unique wrap-around option, this dress can fit a number og different sizes ranging from size 8-12. This dress is priced at $200.00.
Photo courtesy of Brad Crowfoot ~ click here to see more of his photography.
These White satin pants are appliquéd with west coast U-shapes. Zipper in the back and accented with shell style buttons on the pant cuff. Size 8-10 and priced at $90.00
I want to take a moment to acknowledge and offer a heartfelt thanks to the Ontario Arts Council for the Access and Career Developmentgrant to advance my skills as an aspiring Aboriginal Fashion designer.
The Access and Career Developmentis a new Ontario Arts Council (OAC) program that supports Ontario-based Aboriginal arts professionals and arts professionals of colour. The program will fund professional development and skill-building opportunities that advance the applicants’ artistic work and careers. In keeping with its strategic plan, Stability and Strength, the OAC is committed to reflecting the cultural diversity and Aboriginal identity of the province through its programs. The OAC also recognizes that there continue to be systemic barriers for arts professionals of colour and Aboriginal arts professionals. Part of the solution is the launch of Access and Career Development to support the cultural diversity of Ontario’s arts sector.
For more information and details on application eligibility and submission dates click here to see their website. Take control of your dreams and follow your heart and see what happens with opportunities like the one the Ontario Arts Council supported me with.
This is one of my dress designs inspired by a dress originally made by Tseshaht Designer Joyce Mahima Little. In the spirit of my name, AyAy Qwa Yak Sheelth meaning One who gives away and still stands tall, I traded this dress with Jerri Sixkiller (shown here) for a pair of her hand-beaded Walk-N-Beauty shoes. To see her brilliant collection of modern shoes go to www.walknbeauty.com and support her marketing strategy to donate part of the shoe sale proceeds to initiatives to stop violence against women!
Deeply appreciate Aboriginal Collaborative Exchange Travel Grant awarded to harvest cedar bark and preserve the craft of weaving Nuu-chah-nulth hats mentored by Geraldine Edgar Tom in Ditidaht Territory
J'net AyAy Qwa Yak Sheelth Cavanagh (One who gives away and still stands tall)
Nuu-chah-nulth Textile Artist
Proud recipient of an Aboriginal Access and Career Development Award from the
An agency of the Government of Ontario
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