{"id":25949,"date":"2024-08-27T20:25:44","date_gmt":"2024-08-27T20:25:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/diversity-fashion-show-captivates-by-embracing-cultural-identity\/"},"modified":"2026-03-31T05:30:45","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T05:30:45","slug":"diversity-fashion-show-captivates-by-embracing-cultural-identity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/diversity-fashion-show-captivates-by-embracing-cultural-identity\/","title":{"rendered":"Diversity Fashion Show captivates by embracing cultural identity"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Model
Model Mia Buck strikes a pose Friday, Aug. 9, while showcasing area designer pieces from their lines of Hispanic and Indigenous heritage and cultural designs at the 2024 Aeroprey Diversity Fashion Show at the Farmington Museum, 3041 E. Main St. on Friday, Aug. 9. Kristian Yazzie Tri-City Record)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n

Spectators gasped as area artists, models and designers intertwined cultural heritage and style on Friday, Aug. 9 at the Farmington Museum and Convention Center. As the sun set with a natural background for attendees to view models from diverse backgrounds, Aeroprey Aerial & Still Imagery<\/a> presented their third annual Diversity Celebrated Fashion Show.<\/p>\n

\"Designer
Designer Penny Singer concludes her runway walk with a smiling model after presenting her latest pieces from the Penny Singer Design line at Aeroprey\u2019s 2024 Celebrating Diversity Fashion Show Friday, Aug. 9. (Kristian Yazzie Tri-City Record)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

Models showcased<\/a> clothing, jewelry and accessory designs inspired by Indigenous and Hispanic culture. The show included an array of styles from men\u2019s contemporary casual tops accented with an Indigenous flair to intricately showcased Quincea\u00f1era dresses and authentic handmade traditional Indigenous jewelry.<\/p>\n

Designers included local artisans Breezy Designs<\/a>, Letta Lynn Designs<\/a>, Penny Singer Designs<\/a>, Foxfire Designs<\/a>, Mar\u00eda Alondras, Hector y Socorro Teran, Casa Nechel Alta Costura & Melissa Pe\u00f1a Andrade and Ximena Tellez and Lena Brown, and Tellez said the Latin community donated the Quincea\u00f1era dresses for the show.<\/p>\n

Area designers presented their workmanship to spectators through the participating 30 models, whose ages ranged from 14 to 40. The fashion designers were all from the area and are from Hispanic and Indigenous backgrounds. Their designs included blends of their cultures, mixing traditional wear with a contemporary twist and designs that pay homage to those who have experienced injustice.<\/p>\n

When speaking to the Tri-City Record<\/em> about their display of merchandise, Breezy Designs<\/a> shared the importance of traditional Navajo representations. The business partners shared that they have participated in several fashion shows and have an online boutique<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Kaydence
Kaydence King, 19, dressed in contemporary traditional Navajo attire and walked the runway aisle at the start of the event carrying a lighted bundle of cedar that she waved to disperse its aroma. (Kristian Yazzie\/Tri-City Record)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

Breezy Designs\u2019 partners shared that they are generational Native American artisans who integrate symbolism from traditional stories when creating their jewelry<\/a> and clothing. An example of such practice can be seen in a bow-and-arrow necklace pendant that pays homage to the legend of the Twin Monster Slayers<\/a>. She also includes velvet material in their clothing designs.<\/p>\n

Indigenous artisan Charletta Bahe presented her designs from her jewelry line Letta Lynn Designs<\/a> in collaboration with fashion designers at Aeroprey\u2019s Celebrating Diversity Fashion Show. Bahe has participated in four fashion shows in the past three years.<\/p>\n

Charletta told how she learned stringing necklaces from her mother as a child growing up on the Navajo Nation and how she fell in love with the art of jewelry.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe beginning of the second year of making jewelry as a business, I was given the opportunity to show my jewelry in a fashion show in Gallup, New Mexico, that was supporting a cause in Commemoration of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women in the surrounding area that was hosted by Marian Mike with Breezy Designs<\/a>,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\"Kaydence
Kaydence King strikes a pose during the 2024 Aeroprey Diversity Fashion Show at the Farmington Museum on Aug. 9. A 2023 graduate of Piedra Vista High School, she believes everyone is beautiful in their own way and she strives to help others see their internal beauty. (Alex Simpson\/Courtesy of Aeroprey)<\/span>aeroprey<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

Charletta divulged how one meeting led to many introductions and collaborations, and it all eventually led to her invitation from Alexander Simpson of Aeroprey to be the exclusive jewelry provider for the 2024 Aeroprey Celebrating Diversity Fashion Show.<\/p>\n

Alexander Simpson owner of Aeroprey<\/a>, one of the event organizers, shared with the Tri-City Record<\/em> that when planning a show, he considers the comfort of the location for audiences and performers and whether the audience will envision show\u2019s story and have the resources and connections for the production.<\/p>\n

Simpson stated that he and his collaborators have pulled off four fashion shows since the start of the COVID pandemic, after he became inspired by his modeling team\u2019s dreams of participating in high fashion events. He looks for and values the traits of confidence and respect.<\/p>\n

\"(Alex
(Alex Simpson\/Courtesy of Aeroprey)<\/span>aeroprey<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

\u201cI started the agency because it offered an opportunity for the community to reconnect and try something fresh for those aspiring to be models,\u201d he said. He credited the show\u2019s success to his lifelong residency of San Juan County and to his team, while acknowledging the \u201ctremendous amount of training, coordination, scheduling and planning with all those involved.\u201d<\/p>\n

He said he gives one or two people the chance to coproduce the diversity fashion show, and this year, it was Ximena Tellez who brought the Mexican aspect of the show together.<\/p>\n

Ximena Tellez said she started her modeling career at age 12 in Farmington and now is a business owner and a student at San Juan College. She began her mission at the start of the year with a tiny notebook in her kitchen. She had no contacts or interested parties, and with her mother\u2019s help and the assistance of other community members, she pulled it off.<\/p>\n

Tellez\u2019s vision was to give designers and performers the chance to represent their culture and to show young people the pride of old Mexican culture, symbolizing their warrior spirit with headdresses mixed with contemporary dance and design.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe feathered headdresses were brought by Socorro and Hector Teran, who help manage traditional Matachin dances and other cultural events and the history of the outfits were from the Aztecs who were pre-Columbian Mesoamerican people of central Mexico in the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries.\u201d said Tellez.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe inspiration for the performances was to display the traditional and modern dances which were brought to life by Carrasco Dance Productions,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\"A
A model show FoxFire Designs by Cathleen Booth, who is an entrepreneur, veteran, Indigenous activist and mother. Her designs are handmade and can be customized for various occasions. (Alex Simpson\/Courtesy of Aeroprey)<\/span>aeroprey<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

Daniel Carrasco, whose Carrasco Dance Productions is based in Bloomfield, echoed Simpson\u2019s sentiments about providing creative outlets for youths.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur mission is to empower the youth, while also building strong, courageous, confident dancers and leaders of tomorrow,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Noticing a lack of Latino people in the local dance community, he wanted to step up.<\/p>\n

\u201cGrowing up, I couldn\u2019t afford to attend a dance studio, so I began making my own opportunities to be seen via school talent shows and community events,\u201d Carrasco said.<\/p>\n

That night, he aimed to share his culture.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wanted to showcase how beautiful the music and movement can be. Sharing our culture with others is something we take so much pride in, and it was the dancers\u2019 first time being in a very professional setting with models and designers,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\"Carrasco
Carrasco Dance Productions Foklorico dancers represent San Juan County and are based in Bloomfield. (Alex Simpson\/Courtesy of Aeroprey)<\/span>aeroprey<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Carrasco
Carrasco Dance Productions dancers perform a Reggaeton piece. (Alex Simpson\/Courtesy of Aeroprey)<\/span>aeroprey<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

\u201cI want my dancers to realize that it doesn\u2019t matter where you come from, your background, as long as you believe in yourself the sky is the limit. \u2026 I\u2019m an example of what love and support looks like.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHaving so much support from the community, parents and everyone has really shaped what Carrasco Dance Productions is,\u201d said Carrasco<\/p>\n

Other cultural performances featured local talent including a hoop dance and a song performed by Montero \u201cAnimas\u201d Pablo, who said he \u201chopes to shine some light on the surrounding towns of his home, and to make a difference for the local music scene.\u201d<\/p>\n

Animas also shared with the Tri-City Record<\/em> that a major goal is to \u201cto show people that we all can get through the hard times by self-power, hard work, karma, balance and pushing through the struggles.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Hip
Hip hop and rap artist Montero Pablo who performs under the stage name Animas, performs his song \u201cCountry Girl\u201d from his 2022 album \u2018Dirt Road Chronicles.\u201c Pablo was born in Albuquerque but grew up in Kirtland. He he is the founder of Dezert Fire Music LLC. (Alex Simpson\/Copurtesy of Aeroprey)<\/span>aeroprey<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"A
A hoop dancer performs during the 2024 Aeroprey Celebrating Diversity Fashion Show. (Alex Simpson\/Courtesy of Aeroprey)<\/span>aeroprey<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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