Buckskin to Bikinis Exhibit Opens at Iroquois Museum

Opening Saturday, April 4th from 1 to 3 pm, the Iroquois Museum's Buckskin to Bikinis exhibit will kick off the season with a talk by Dr. Jessica Metcalfe, a Turtle Mountain Chippewa from North Dakota.

Dr. Metcalfe writes about Native American art, fashion, and design, while she owns and operates the Beyond Buckskin Boutique, which sells Native American fashion. 

The Buckskin to Bikinis exhibition is designed for the fashion over in everyone. The show highlights the work of well-known Iroquois designers, including Tammy Beauvais, Bruno Henry, and Niio Perkins and introduces many upcoming Iroquois fashionistas. 

Diversity, artistry, elegance, and story are element that can be viewed in this well-timed exhibit.

Haudenosaunee cultural concepts of peace, power, and righteousness take shape with beads, bangles and bling to create garments and accessories to wear to the beach, for special occasions, or admire in a glass museum case.

“From hand-painted bikinis to high-heeled sneakers, street wear to evening wear, Iroquois fashion is distinct, contemporary, and infused with Haudenosaunee cultural symbols, traditional materials, and political punch,” said Exhibition Curator Colette Lemmon

The exhibit is set to run through November 30th, 2015.