2022 Collection
Theme:
Kanohesgi -"Story" telling
The 2022 fashion collection, themed Kanohesgi - "Story," serves as a modern artistic interpretation of iconic Cherokee oral history tellings. Through innovative designs and contemporary aesthetics, the collection brings to life the rich tapestry of Cherokee narratives, blending traditional elements with cutting-edge fashion to celebrate and preserve this vital cultural heritage.
Fabric design:
The Blanket Story Fabric: Designed by Jasmine showcases her favorite Cherokee narrative, highlighting Indigenous humor, the importance of family, and intergenerational knowledge sharing. Created in hues of her favorite color, Jasmine incorporated shadows of key moments from the blanket story, superimposed over a Chief Joseph blanket design, creating a rich, layered homage to her cultural heritage.
The First Strawberry Story Fabric: Designed by Janee, this fabric brings to life her favorite Cherokee narrative, depicting the origin story of the strawberry plant. The strawberry, a gift from the Creator, serves as a poignant reminder to the Cherokee of the values that truly matter: honesty, appreciation, and the importance of relationships with one another and oneself. The fabric design intricately weaves in Cherokee pottery and basket design patterns, honoring Janee's family crafts, alongside symbols of significance from the first strawberry story.
I Am Cherokee Stories Fabric: Designed by Kim, this fabric interweaves symbols from iconic Cherokee narratives that resonate deeply with her life experiences. These stories, which she connected with through trauma, cherished moments with her great-grandmother, and significant lifetime achievements, are arranged in a circle, each holding equal importance. The symbols overlay a 100-year-old letter written in Cherokee, symbolizing the evolution of Cherokee communication from oral traditions to written messages, and now to modern expressions through fashion.
Clothing design:
The Blanket Story Design: Inspired by the classic 1970s looks, Jasmine designed her outfit to pay homage to the big hair, pants, and drama of the decade. With her characteristic flair for drama, Jasmine entered the runway draped in a "Blanket Story" double-sided full-size blanket, only to reveal her 70s-inspired flared pants and top, all in her favorite color, blue. This was also the first year Tali Elohi introduced custom-designed shoes, and Jasmine sashayed down the runway in Blanket Story wedge heels.
The First Strawberry Story Design: Expanding the Tali Elohi Collection, Janee designed her outfit to honor the evolution of Cherokee sport. She stormed the runway with fists wrapped in boxer’s tape, channeling the spirit of Cherokee warriors, stickball players, and war women. As she revealed her face, traditional Cherokee warrior tattoo-inspired makeup was unveiled. Her hair was styled to reflect her own athleticism, with softball braids wrapped in powwow style, incorporating her fancy shawl dancing. Her boxing shorts, crafted from her Strawberry Story fabric, featured a customized Tali Elohi belt tag. Completing the ensemble, her sweatshirt showcased the fabric in the hood lining and front pocket, and honored Indigenous basketball players with a dramatic six-foot train made from basketball hoop netting.
I Am Cherokee Stories Design: Seeking to deepen the connection to her Cherokee heritage, Kim's design epitomized simplicity, paying homage to the traditional ribbon skirt that symbolizes the connection between womb and the earth. By centering herself as a symbol of life- a mother and child bearer, Kim sought to amplify the importance of Cherokee women in Cherokee culture and society. To modernize this tradition, Kim's skirt deviated from the traditional ribbon design, further accentuating the significance of the womb and Cherokee women. Additionally, she adorned herself with her great grandmother's 98-year-old moccasins, subtly acknowledging the matrilineal backbone of Cherokee culture.
