A fashion workshop teaches Ute mountain youth sewing and modeling skills. (Courtesy of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe)
Native Max magazine editor will be a teacher; The event will end with a fashion show
The Ute Mountain Ute Tribe is hosting the Ute Youth Fashion Project in Towak from January 2-6.
Kelly Holmes, founder and editor of Native Max Magazine, teaches kids how to design and sew ribbon dresses and shirts. She also provides modeling guidance.
The free workshop will be held at the Towak Community Center and will culminate in a fashion show where young people will showcase their creativity.
“We are happy. It gives students an opportunity to do something different and learn from a Native American professional,” said Juanta Plentyholes, director of the Ute Mountain Tribe’s Tiwahee program. “Students create their own fashion styles.”
Cloth and sewing machines are available for the workshop. Open to youth in sixth grade and up.
The schedule is:
- January 2nd, 10am to 5pm Sewing Instruction.
- January 3-4, 5-7 pm sewing instruction.
- January 5, sewing and modeling tips.
- January 6, 5-7 pm Fashion Show.
To register, call the Tiwahe Department at (970) 564-5405 or visit the Community Center.
Holmes, a Cheyenne River Lakota, native launched Max Magazine in 2012. The Denver-based company has evolved into a digital company with events and print and digital platforms, gaining acclaim for its focus on Native American fashions and stories.
This fall, Ute Mountain Ute youth participated in a fashion show and traditional dance demonstration with Native Max at Native Days in Boulder, Plentyholes said. The incident may be featured in an upcoming issue of the magazine.
The fashion workshop is part of the tribe’s Project Peak series, a student-centered program that provides after-school events for Towaoc and White Mesa youth.
Ut Shawl and Dress Making Workshop will be on January 17-20 and January 23-26.
Project Peak stands for the PC Optimization Academy for Knowledge.
“Pischu” means “children” or “young people” in the Ute language. Project Peak events were designed during feedback from 60 Ute Mountain Ute Tribe students, and 14 Ute Mountain Ute Tribe academic, community, parent, tribal members, and tribal elders.
For more information, visit the Ute Mountain Project Peak website.
