Native Designer Represents USA at Indigenous Fashion Event Down Under

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O'odham River Tie by Cher Thomas Designs

Black adapted river design appliqued over a standard size men's silk tie.

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Spring '14 collection by Cher Thomas Designs

Jewel Drop Silk Crop Top, Retro Office Skirt

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Silver Tie by Cher Thomas Designs

Photography by Amy Davila Photography. Model: Kiohud Sanderson

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O'odham Sun Dress by Cher Thomas Designs

Model: Michelle Chischille M/U: Mūz of Scottsdale Jewelry: Lana May Photographer: Steve Yap

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Tie by Cher Thomas Designs

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Chiffon & satin appliquéd Baby Doll Dress by Cher Thomas Designs

Model: Ms. Luciano M/U: Mūz of Scottsdale Jewelry: Lana May Photographer: Steve Yap

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Men's Suit by Cher Thomas Designs

Cher's comment: "Are they ready for appliquéd suits?! I don't know, but this spring we are going to find out!"

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Ribbon Skirt by Cher Thomas Designs

Model: Sarah Make Up: Muz of Scottsdale Photographer: Steve Yap

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Men's Ribbon Shirt by Cher Thomas Designs

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Wrap Dress by Cher Thomas Designs

Cher's comment: "Here is Elisa Briones representing the Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community at the 2013 Miss Indian Arizona Pageant! She is wearing an exclusive O'odham wrap dress made of midnight blue iridescent rayon and gunmetal silk charmuse."

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Men's Ribbon Shirt by Cher Thomas Designs

Cher's comment: "Gray PeePosh ribbon shirt. It's made entirely by hand of ash gray stretch cotton, black, red and white satin. The triple layer curved wave design is inspired by the owner's traditional singing gourd, this design goes across the chest and back of the shoulders."

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Office Skirt by Cher Thomas Designs

Cher's comment: "During the Miss Indian Arizona Pageant, contestant #1, Jewel Honga wore an office skirt made by me with the Hualapai Canyon symbol on it while giving her speech."

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Men's Ribbon Shirt (back) by Cher Thomas Designs

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Red Strapless Evening Gown by Cher Thomas Designs

Cher's comment: "Jewel Honga of the Hualapai Tribe wore this red strapless evening gown during the 2013 Miss Indian Arizona pageant! Made of red stretch satin, this evening gown had a slight sweetheart neckline, mermaid skirt and chapel length train."

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O'odham Sweatpants by Cher Thomas Designs

Also available in a black sweat pant with white designs.

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Junior Girls Jingle Dress by Cher Thomas Designs

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Men's Tie by Cher Thomas Designs

Cher's comment: "Men's sleek appliquéd tie. A skinny tie with minimal water designs with a basket design at the bottom all appliquéd with contrast embroidered satin stitching. All satin and silk, this tie makes a contemporary statement."

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By:

ICTMN Staff

9/5/14

Cher Thomas (Pima/Cocopah) will be the sole Native American fashion designer at ‘The Indigenous Fashion Runway’ as part of Virgin Mobile Melbourne Spring Fashion Week in Melbourne, Australia, on Saturday, September 6, 2014. Fashion Week at Melbourne is one of top major fashion showcases in the world. Thomas will be showing her clothing designs with other chosen Maori, Aboriginal, and African fashion designers.

Global Indigenous Management established the Indigenous Fashion Runway three years ago to encourage new talent to break into the fashion industry. Thomas outcompeted other Native American designers nationwide as a new artist whose work nurtured confidence and positive self-esteem in Indigenous youth.

Thomas began her company, Cher Thomas Designs, over two years ago and chooses to garner inspiration from traditional designs and stories of her Akimel O’odham (Pima) upbringing in the Komatke Village of the Gila River Indian Community near Laveen, AZ. The work that she is debuting in Melbourne is a contemporary collection featuring intricate appliqué work, based on designs appropriate for consumerism as to not betray the sacred meaning of ceremonial images.

On the honor of showing in Australia, Thomas states, “This renders me overwhelmed with appreciation, humility and joy! I am grateful for such an incredible opportunity to not only share my work with the world, but most importantly, to further unify Indigenous artists the world over.” Cher Thomas Designs has been previously featured in Native Max Magazine, the Beyond Buckskin blog, and most recently in the Denver March Powwow’s business expo and fashion show.

For event information: https://thatsmelbourne.com.au/msfw/event/curevnt3

For information on Cher Thomas Designs: http://www.cherthomasdesigns.com/

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Comments

Teri Statham

These are great creations. Shows clearly the talent and the designs represent the native Americans very well.

Tue, 09/09/2014 - 09:15

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