Heard @ The Heard 2010: Distinctively Fashionable Native Designer Pilar Agoyo

“ I mainly work in vinyl, a little bit of leather as well, but...for some reason, it’s a lot of vinyl.”—Pilar Agoyo, Native fashion designer

Pilar Agoyo is one of my favorite new artists. My background is in fashion PR, and it is always easy for me to appreciate someone with a unique vision.

While I have heard her name uttered several times from friends we have in common, Pilar and I met for the first time last weekend at the 2010 Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair and Market. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend last month's successful fashion show “Thunder Run” in which she participated at Buffalo Thunder Resort and Casino.  I was thrilled, however, when I found out Pilar was showing her designs at the Heard. My friends who know and have worked with her love and respect her. Native American jewelry collectors might also know her because she is the wife of master silversmith Cody Sanderson.

Pilar’s fashions have been called many things—“cutting edge”, “goth”, “punk”, “chic”, “elegant” and even “risqué”. Based on the pieces I saw at the Heard show, I would even add to that a little “retro.”  However you label her style, the fact remains clear that Pilar is cool, calm, collected, well-spoken and adorable, in my opinion. She is very approachable and I was excited that she was willing to talk to me about her designs on camera.

Perhaps my favorite thing about Pilar is that she costume designs for film. She shared that many of her collections come to her as a result of working on a particular project. This is inevitable, since films, especially period pieces, require such attention to detail.  These images fill a designer’s mind and are hard to let go of. The day we spoke, Pilar was showing a dress that was made of a wool plaid embellished with vinyl leaves—very cool!

Remarkably, Pilar chooses not to use the traditional clothing pattern, rather, she cuts and lets a piece become whatever it may. She is also known for her unconventionality when it comes to her materials of choice. In addition to utilizing a hodge podge of textiles including silk and velvet, Pilar makes pieces her own with everyday items such as newspapers, masking tape, hangers and more. Green before it was hip to be green, Pilar explains that she embraced this design philosophy while still in college. Aren’t we glad she did!

Get to know Pilar by watching my video interview with her on the closing day of the 2010 Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair and Market here.

Heard @ The Heard 2010: Uncle Paulie Hits the Road to Phoenix for Native Art

When my friend and award-winning Jemez Pueblo potter Kathleen Wall insisted I head out to the Heard Museum's Indian Fair and Market this past weekend, how could I say no?  She even made arrangements for me to stay on the Gila River Pima reservation at her mother, Fannie Loretto's  house. Loretto is a Jemez and Laguna mask artist . 

That was a thrill because I had the opportunity to see the wonder and the stress of getting ready for market.  As most artists do, Loretto and Wall were putting the final touches on their pieces in preparation for Saturday and Sunday well into the wee hours of the night after Friday's preview party and auction at the Heard.  I got to stay up with them to help and admire their dedication and craftsmanship.

Of course the preview party was fun because I got to hang out with some of my favorite people Jody Naranjo of Santa Clara Pueblo, Glendora Fragua from Jemez, Navajo clothing designer Penny Singer, Kathleen, and my roadtrip companion Taos potter Suann Davin.   Suann and I traveled all the way to Phoenix from Albuquerque together, and I was amazed when I finally saw her unique, contemporary, geometrically-exciting micaceous pottery on Saturday morning.  The show seemed well-attended, and with over 700 of the finest Native artists selling their work, it was a huge learning opportunity offering one of the best times I have ever had, both visually and culturally.

Last August, I attended SWAIA's Indian Market and didn't know a soul.  This time around, I saw so many people I knew, it was like all of New Mexico was in Phoenix!  I really enjoyed spending time getting to know Santo Domingo cartoonist Ricardo Cate, Thomas Tenorio, Colin Coonsis, Peter Boome, as well as making other new friends like Pilar Agoyo, Phillip John Charette and Ed Archie Noisecat.  I finally got to meet Chris Pappan, Nocona Burgess as well as Mateo Romero.  I even got to hang for a bit with my friends, award-winning Navajo painter Sheldon Harvey and Marian Denipah and Steve LaRance.  In spite of the rain and the three snowstorms I had to drive through to get back to Albuquerque, it was completely worth it.

The best part of all was that many of the fine artists in attendance took the time to talk to me about their lives, their art and inspirations.  This week I begin a video interview series entitled "Heard @ The Heard 2010".  I hope you will join me for these special portraits of artists who are making their unique marks in the world of Native American arts. 

Native American Contemporary Fashion Shows its Thunder For Benefit Runway Event

(Photo: Design by Patricia Michaels)

When you think of the Southwest and its fashion, concho belts, cowboy hats and boots, Pendleton coats and textile clothing come to mind. What you might not know is that New Mexico is also home to some top designers who are taking the Native American spirit and infusing it into contemporary fashion.

Mercedes Benz Fashion Week...Fug-geh-uh-bow-it!  This coming weekend, Santa Fe will play host to a very special fashion show, Thunder Run, which will be just as much fun and benefit a very special charity.

The evening also celebrates the publication of the second edition of Thunder Magazine, Fashion!, Buffalo Thunder Resort and Casino’s print property, which is published by the Pueblo of Pojoaque and its Governor George Rivera. The magazine showcases the best of Native fashion and art, and celebrates the triumphs of Native Americans from tribes all over New Mexico.

Chic Native threads by Michelle Tapia Browning, Patricia Michaels, Penny Singer, Pilar Agoyo and Jerry Ingram meet complimentary delish hors d’oeuvres and cocktails for a night of fashionista frolic. Be sure to bring your checkbook, though, since guests will have the opportunity to enter a raffle to win great fashion and accessories from participating designers, as well as concert tickets, accommodations and spa treatments at Buffalo Thunder Resort and Casino.  Most importantly, you can help kids by making a donation that will benefit the Northern New Mexico Boys and Girls Clubs.

If you're like me, and your middle name is "free, comp, discount," don't be fashionably late!  The first 100 people to arrive will receive a goodie bag filled with copies of the Thunder Magazine Fashion! and Medicine Mountain body lotion, a signature offering of Buffalo Thunder Resort’s luxurious Wo’P’in Spa.

Come see why the perfect mix of contemporary and traditional design is making the Native fashion scene explode.  The catwalk action takes place on Saturday, January 23 from 6-8 p.m. at the Tewa Grand Ballroom at the Buffalo Thunder Resort and Casino (30 Buffalo Thunder Trail, Santa Fe, NM. Highway 84/285). This event is free to the public, but reservations are highly recommended. Call 877-THUNDER / 877-848-6337. Ask for "Thunder Run."