#j.okuma

[aworldofpattern]

Christian Allaire at the Met Gala 2024, wearing custom outfit by Jamie Okuma.

Allaire, a fashion writer at US Vogue, is Ojibwe, and a member of the Nipissing First Nation, Ontario. Okuma is a Luiseno, Shoshone-Bannock, Wailaki, and Okinawan who is also an enrolled member of the La Jolla band of Indians in Southern California where she lives and works.

Allaire: 'I knew I wanted to wear an Indigenous designer to the Met this year. When I heard this year’s theme—“Sleeping Beauties”—and dress code—“The Garden of Time”—I was instantly struck by a few concepts: That our Indigenous designs & craftwork have persisted FOREVER, and that many of our traditional garments have always beautifully reflected the natural world that surrounds us.

On the blazer, @j.okuma used a hand-reverse appliqué method to illustrate two of my favorite flowers from back home: Lupines and Indian Paintbrushes. Turns out, these flowers are also popular in Jamie’s region down on the West Coast. (We both agreed they are very “rezzy flowers.” 😉) For the pants, Jamie also put a contemporary twist on a traditional breechcloth, instead adding a built-in panel to formal tailoring. I absolutely adore how she mixed the old with the new.

To finish off the look, Jamie also surprised me with a special Bandolier-style bag that made me super emotional when I unboxed it. She found an ANTIQUE piece of Ojibwe floral beadwork (likely turn of the century) to represent my specific heritage, and then helped restore it into a cross-body style—adding modern touches like crystal straps and ribbon embellishments.

Many archival photos show Ojibwe men wearing similar Bandolier bags throughout history, and when I carried it last night, I couldn’t help but feel like I was carrying a piece of my ancestors with me. And holllah - we made it to the MET.'

[thejewellerybox]

Lily Gladstone at the Independent Spirit Film Awards 2024, wearing earrings by Ataumbi Metals.

Worn with custom dress by Jamie Okuma.

[aworldofpattern]

Lily Gladstone at the Independent Spirit Film Awards 2024, wearing custom dress by Jamie Okuma.

She wore another Jamie Okuma dress - same print, different colourway - for Variety's Power of Women event, and an Okuma dress and shirt in for a Variety interview and photoshoot, in November 2023.