FASHION FORWARD
A look at the latest offerings from Indigenous designers shaping the future of fashion.
Titled Pe’eh’cha, a Keres word meaning “let it rain,” ACONAV’S spring/summer 2020 couture collection takes its inspiration from “the natural presentations of rain, the cloud formations, the downpour, the colors of the sky during a rain.” Designer and ACONAV CEO Loren Aragon says, “As a culture that prays for, depends on, and celebrates the rain, I wanted to capture the feeling and beauty of the rainfall as well as preserve its sacredness and importance to all living things.” For the collection, Aragon worked with a variety of fabrics—including silks, chiffon, charmeuse, duchess satin, crepe back satin, taffeta and Habotai— to embody the natural elements. “My favorite piece in this collection has to be a gown which took on the recreation of a cloud,” says Aragon. “As an engineer, I was always challenged with having to design to specifications. My challenge with this piece was designing or recreating to the specifications of natural occurrences and organic shapes. Through many times of trial and error, sampling and prototyping, I was able to come upon a method that worked to capture my idea. This one piece is something I want to build from…like a storm gathering strength.”
“My brand, ACONAV, is a celebration of the strength and empowerment of women.” - Loren Aragon