WELCOME TO THE ISSUE

We’re excited to feature Yaqui singer/ songwriter PJ Vegas on the cover, who sports exclusive VOSQ Clothing’s tees in the cover shoot.

Welcome to the Fashion & Art issue of Native Max Magazine! In this issue, we focus on the Indigenous visionaries of North and South America who make it their life’s work to transcend any barriers and portray a broader vision of awareness, including the rich culture, vibrant stories, and genuine experiences of their people. On this issue’s cover sits PJ Vegas, a Yaqui singer/songwriter who quickly mastered his craft and at the start of carving out his own genre of retro-bending R&B. After just dropping a new single from his upcoming album, he’s out to prove he’s made for the spotlight. Vegas is now ready for his close up. We also catch up with Loren Aragon, the co-founder and lead designer of ACONAV, who was at the start of his fashion career when we last interviewed him. Five years later, Aragon’s eponymous brand is now a couture fashion brand that’s cat-walked on runways all over the country, graced magazine covers, had countless media mentions, styled celebrities, and won coveted titles. Now more than ever, small businesses are struggling through the COVID-19 Pandemic. However, these standout Indigenous womenowned fashion businesses–ELLA, Ahlazua Fine Arts, Indigenous Intentions, and Her Braids–are not only thriving and surviving during the Pandemic, but they’re also continuing to contribute to the community through the chaos. We interview four Indigenous female business owners about their companies, how they continue to incorporate their culture into products, their contributions to various causes in their communities, and how they’re surviving in the Pandemic. Taking Native Fashion mainstream has the potential of tackling many obstacles while addressing issues such as cultural appropriation. The movement may also provide opportunities for small designers and fashion business owners alike. Though its a hard fight, people like Dr. Jessica Metcalfe (Turtle Mountain Chippewa) and non-Indigenous ally Chloë Angus and their work are helping bridge the gap of Native fashion to the mainstream fashion industry.

We speak with Dr. Jessica Metcalfe (Turtle Mountain Chippewa) about her work on helping bridge the gap of Native fashion to the mainstream fashion industry (pg. 16).

We also feature designer Justine Woods, who is reclaiming her ancestral identity through a Métis aesthetic (pg. 20).