Distinctly Montana Magazine

D I S T I N C T LY M O N TA N A • FA L L 2 0 1 7 38 Belinda Bullshoe is a Blackfeet designer from Browning who has realized her dream of showing her creations before the global elite of fashion design during New York's Fashion Week. Like Bethany and so many other native women, she learned to sew from her grandmother. She says, "My grandmother never measured. She knew, instant. I do not draw my dresses. Once I have it in my head, how I want to design it, I design it. I want people to understand that when I make these dresses, I'm not just creating them, they have a meaning to them, based on our culture. We call the buffalo 'innii', that's our lifeline. e red strip on the buffalo dress represents the heartbeat of the buffalo." e buffalo dress is her favorite. Belinda had designed a dress for a Vermont woman who facilitated her being invited to the NY Fashion Show. While an invitation is required, she also had to raise the money for travel, lodgings, food, etc. At the final moment Bullshoe was certain that she'd raised enough money (a large amount from the Great Falls Tribune) to transport herself, her husband and mother, plus newly designed dresses. A snowstorm nearly prevented the group's plane from leaving Great Falls. e snow fol- lowed them to New York City, creating huge drifts and delaying one of her models. Belinda was forced to find and fit a new model at the last moment, apply makeup, fix hair, and be ready to send her creations onto the stage first. As the music rose, an attendant told Belinda that she must go on the runway too at the end. Belinda practically had to drag her mother along. She prayed to herself, "Please Belinda don't cry," even as she realized she had finally achieved her dream. Now she's been invited back this Fall and will go to Paris too. e new Native designers use handed-down Native techniques and incorporate feathers, shells, skins, furs, and beads, but they celebrate their sophisticated modernity, sometimes with a hip-hop touch. ey shake off preconceived notions of what Native style is. ey live in two worlds. A reviewer writes, "I've seen a really young, vibrant community emerging—designers who are creating haute couture and unique, one-of-a-kind ensembles, as well as an upsweep of streetwear." Social media helps these designers sell their pieces. ey are not interested in mass production so much as making a decent profit. ey don't want to make the same thing over and over because some pieces take so long to make. Find them on the Web, Facebook, or Bethany's Web site. In June 2015, BYELLOWTAIL launched THE BYELLOWTAIL COLLECTIVE, a brand initiative that features art from Native American makers primarily from the Great Plains tribal regions. All pieces are handmade using time-honored techniques and tradi- tional methods passed down from family generations. e COLLECTIVE proudly carries heirloom-quality artisanal goods, jewelry, and fashion accessories from some of the finest Native artisans around the country. Set on re-invention of tradition and continuity of culture, BYELLOWTAIL shares indigenous art and fashion with the world while providing empow- ering, entrepreneurial initiatives for Native people. www.byellowtail.com TOP 5 TIPS FOR MONTANA ENTREPRENEURS, FROM RENOWNED FASHION DESIGNER BETHANY YELLOWTAIL 1. It doesn't matter where you come from, you deserve to live your dreams just like anyone else. Sometimes coming from rural areas it feels like a pipe dream to think you could be a fashion designer—but why can't we?? 2. Don't let fear stop you. I think we shy away from things we deserve too often. 3. Find your voice and know it's just as valuable as anyone else's. 4. Find your core values and vision. Develop a product or service that represents your core values. That directly translates into your brand, and attracts conscious consumers. 5.There isn't one way to do anything. There is no roadmap. The way people are purchasing now is so uncharted—it frees you to make decisions how you want to and find your way. "I WANT PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND THAT WHEN I MAKE THESE DRESSES, I'M NOT JUST CREATING THEM, THEY HAVE A MEANING TO THEM, BASED ON OUR CULTURE." Belinda Bullshoe Authentic Apsalooka Nights design by Bethany Yellowtail. Watch Belinda's runway show www.distinctlymontana.com/belinda174 DISTINCTLY MONTANA | DIGITAL

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