Valentino’s gorgeous dresses honour Métis culture – in the right way
Valentino/Style.com
It’s only been a couple of weeks since Valentino debuted their latest collection at Milan Fashion Week, but we’re already trying to think of ways to raise thousands of dollars so we can own their latest couture gowns – especially since they were inspired by a Métis artist’s work.
Just a couple of months after Canadian brand DSquared2 showed their DSquaw collection, an offensive and culturally appropriated line inspired by “the enchantment of Canadian Indian tribes,” Valentino has proven that yes, you can pay tribute to a culture that’s not your own without being totally ignorant.
Valentino/Style.com
For their resort 2016 collection, the famed fashion house teamed up with Canadian Métis artist Christi Belcourt to adapt her painting “Water Song,” which is currently on display at the National Gallery of Canada, into jaw-droppingly gorgeous garments.
According to Native Max Magazine, Valentino’s creative directors Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli reached out Belcourt. “I don’t know how they heard about my art,” she said. “I appreciate the way they reach out to artists and really respect the integrity of their work. “
Belcourt’s “Water Song” (Courtesy Christi Belcourt)
Belcourt told the magazine that she was initially hesitant to participate because she wasn’t sure of Valentino’s track record regarding environmental rights. But after research showed that the company was among the highest-rated when it came to Greenpeace’s ranking of major fashion houses’ sustainability practices, she agreed.
Belcourt was involved in the process from the beginning, and told Native Max that the pieces took months because Valentino wanted to match the colours used in her painting perfectly.
According to Bustle, critics are applauding the collaboration.
Valentino/Style.com
“The bottom line is this: There should be no representations of us, without us. You want to draw upon Indigenous cultures for your line? Involve Indigenous artists and designers. There is no alternative answer. You love Bethany’s Crow designs? Call Bethany. Collaborate with Bethany. Give her a chance to show at New York Fashion Week with you,” says Dr. Adrienne K of Native Appropriations. “The fashion world costs hella money to get a foot in the door, so if you as a designer truly want to offer a ‘tribute’ to Native people? Bring a Native designer up with you.”
“The designers, whether they’re small or major fashion houses, need to stop appropriating the cultures of Indigenous peoples worldwide,” Belcourt told Buzzfeed Canada. “They need to begin to work with indigenous artists and designers to have respectful representation in ways that the indigenous artists and designers feel is appropriate.”
““It’s not up to non-Indigenous people to decide what is appropriate and what isn’t.”
See the entire collection here.
