Headdress Defended by TLC Designer: Groom is Native, Bride is Native-Inspired
Vincent Schilling
Dress designer Sondra Celli created a Cherokee-themed dress and a Native American-influenced headdress for Hunter and Dalton Smith on the reality series My Big Fat American Gypsy Wedding.
In an exclusive interview with ICTMN, Celli said that the ‘Native-inspired’ headdress was made by her design team, and the headdress for the groom — who claims Native ancestry — was purchased from a Native American company over the internet.
Celli told ICTMN because the groom was Native American, she did not alter any of the groom’s outfit and that he approved of the bride’s outfit.
See Related: Native Headdresses in TLC’s ‘Big Fat American Gypsy Wedding’?
Courtesy and TLC Promo
According to designer Sondra Celli left) – the bridal headdress is Native-influenced and the headdress for the groom — who claims Native ancestry — was not altered.
“Because he is Native American we made sure we bought a true Native American headpiece made by Native Americans. We bought him a true Native American shirt made by Native Americans. I made sure it came from an authentic Native American company.”
What about the bride’s wedding outfit?
She is a gypsy. Hunter is a cowgirl and would not give up her boots. I told her, ‘I am going to Sondra Celli you up’ and I made her a Native American-inspired dress … and [the groom] was real cool with her being her. I am very respectful of the fact he is Native American. This is what they told me — please understand that I am just the designer.
I made sure we did not touch his headpiece and it stayed exactly the way we bought it. The shirt is exactly the way we bought it. We ordered it on the Internet from a Native American company.
I made her headpiece, and the girl who works for me studies Native Americans. She put all of those feathers on. Like we say on television, it is native-inspired. We do not say this is a Native American costume. This is a Sondra Celli gypsy rhinestone costume that is inspired by Native Americans.
She didn’t wear moccasins; she wore cowboy boots; she rode in on a white horse on bareback. This girl is a cowgirl. Hunter even gave me the skin that I used in the making of her dress. The idea is that she is a hunter and a cowgirl.
For her I figured I could do whatever I want, she is a cowgirl. She’s not Native American so I figured if she wants to wear something she could wear whatever she wants to wear.
What is your response to Native people that say this is appropriating Native culture?
I think the fact that their clothing is so beautiful and the detail is so beautiful, they should be accepting of the fact that we borrowed from their clothing. I said “inspired” through the whole show. I never said it was authentic Native American clothing, not once.
I don’t find a problem with putting something inspired from the beauty of Native American clothes on someone who is not Native American. They should be honored that we think their clothing is so beautiful, that we took some of the colors from it.
This is a TV show, so you have to take it for what it is. I do not believe this dishonors people. I would never do that.
I’ve taken the idea of kimonos from Japan and they are rhinestoned. I never say they are Japanese kimonos. I say they are inspired.
Every designer from all over the world has taken ideas from Native Americans.
The PBS Museum just had an exhibit, Native American designers that have come into the modern world made Native American inspired clothing with plastic metal who are getting ideas in a way from our world and made really cool clothes with beading. I was blown away.
I think they were inspired by what we do in the modern [world].
I am not the only designer in the world who has taken ideas — this is the world of design. We’ve taken designs from ancient Rome, everyone takes ideas from somewhere.
As much as I admire their craft, I think they should admire the fact that I took the ideas that they have and turn it into something modern for someone who is not Native American.
Would you consider having a Native designer on the show to share cultural considerations in the design process?
Absolutely, that would be awesome. We never had a gypsy marry a Native American before, so there was never any intention to subvert anyone’s culture, but this is an over-the-top show.
Follow ICTMN’s Arts and Entertainment, Pow Wow’s and Sports Editor Vincent Schilling (Akwesasne Mohawk) on Twitter – @VinceSchilling
