When I was a kid growing up in the Washington, my rad hippie school spent months studying the many Native American tribes of the Pacific Northwest. We made paint from charcoal, clam shells and mushed up salmon eggs (mmmmm haha) and learned about crafting diapers from cedar bark and moss. The whole thing culminated in a two week fieldtrip up the inside passage on the Alaska Ferry, during which time we toured many a sweat lodge, photographed many a totem pole, and bought endless tiny jars of salmonberry jam.
I feel like this dress by Lindsey Thornburg is another item that could easily enter into the endlessly frustrating "native appropriation" debate, and there's certainly a part of me that understands why. I do think it's interesting that, while the Pendleton fabrics and feather headdresses of the Southwest and Plains Indians have long been part of the fashion-consciousness (for better or for worse), the PNW seems to have been largely left unexplored (Un-exploited? Un-tapped?)
That said, I can't deny that I find it to be an absolutely gorgeous piece of clothing. Fortunately, the mini costs $400, so I wont have to wrestle my own mixed-up morals any further than gazing longingly at a computer screen requires. Plus, to be totally honest, seeing it on Erin Wasson hasn't really increased the appeal. Phew! Dodged that bullet...
(Images via Bona Drag)
