8Q&A:
Shane Watson • Felix Earle • Darylene R. Martin • Dwayane Clauschee
DWAYNE CLAUSCHEE: I cannot speak for other designers but, I am a seamstress, patternmaker, marketer, market researcher, advertiser, and business person. I feel, I approach this from a whole different prospective than other native designers. I see myself as a business person first and foremost.
7. Which season affects your revenue the best? Why? SHANE WATSON: I receive most revenue in the beginning of the year for graduations, gifts and public events. But the beginning of fall is the second most active season because of weddings, fairs and pageants. FELIX EARLE: I have two seasons that draw in the most revenue; winter (Christmas) season, and what I call the graduation season. I get pretty booked completely during these times. DARYLENE R. MARTIN: It’s a tie. Why? I’m a new designer, so my revenue isn’t as near as where I would like it to be. But I’m hopeful for the future. DWAYNE CLAUSCHEE: Christmas is one of my best times of the year. Most Native American designers are limited to only clothing but I also work on accessories, home and holiday décor. The season gives me a great amount of freedom to really create. I am able to expand on my product base to increase sales by showcasing my dexterity with the medium.
8. What is your philosophy about the art of Native fashion? SHANE WATSON: I wanted to continue what I was taught from my late grandmother, a Navajo seamstress. She inspired me to continue designing and sewing. Since then, I carried what mattered to me and what life I could bring of Native Clothing. So now, I create a broad range of clothing that is inspired by traditional Navajo clothing but with a new world flair. FELIX EARLE: I really don’t like the word “native” associated with fashion. What I do is “fashion” in all aspects of the word. I believe you should create from the heart, and what you see as fit. I don’t think anyone should put a limit to what you are capable of. I have quite a few critics about my work not being “native” enough, and I don’t want my work to come off as such. I’m not a “Native American fashion designer”, I am a fashion designer and producer that happens to be Native American or Dine’. Sure my heritage and way of life does come through in my work at times, but I’m also influenced by other cultures of the world. That’s what I love about my work. I set no boundaries for my art. I always tell people, “If you have an open mind, we are capable of anything”.
SHANE WATSON Contact Info: Shayne Watson
Email: s.watson04@gmail.com
DARYLENE R. MARTIN: Fashion designers who are of ethnic backgrounds have that extra edge to magnify fashion to another level, because of that; they end up setting a new trend. I’m glad to say, I am able to do just that. DWAYNE CLAUSCHEE: My philosophy on the “art” of native fashion is that it’s what other Native Americans do. I’m a fashion designer who happens to be Native American. My designs do not recall a bygone era in southwestern history or the chants and prayers of ceremonials. Culture plays little to no part in my design process. I design to reach the broadest audience rather than a small minority set on stereotypes. I think of designing for the human race rather than the Native American race.
32 - WOTN-The Magazine
DARYLENE MARTIN: MARTINI COUTURE www.facebook.com/martinicouture.darylene www.myspace.com/martinicouture
An Arts & Entertainment Publication