Refers to Native American influence in her designs as a nod to American history- as if Native Americans are not still around today. Reminded me of this post.

In response to this post, of course you have the right to be upset, but I do think these trends come about because people find a culture beautiful and intriguing and want to be included, not because of any malicious intentions.

In fact, I for one kinda like all the new Pendleton stuff, even if some of it is kinda fugly and certain wealthy people who annoy me wear them. I like that Pendleton is trying to expand their market while keeping a firm hold on the things that made the brand what it is today. The only thing that the factory here makes is blankets. All of the nice ceremonial, commemorative and other special blankets are made right here in the factory next to the hospital my mom was born in and the VFW Hall that my (Siletz) Great-Grandfather helped build. And I’d be lying if I said that didn’t give me a little pride-in-place. When ever I’m somewhere far away from home and I see someone wearing a Pendleton jacket (I can spot one a mile away) or carrying a Pendleton bag I feel a little excited and have to fight the urge to stop that person and say “I LIVE IN PENDLETON!”

The company itself is not only close to its roots, it has consistently given back more and more as its sales have grown. In fact just today I read that Pendleton has given another $100,000 to the American Indian College Fund. Last year the company released a line of blankets with designs commemorating National Parks with some of the proceeds going to support preservation efforts. Pendleton has always been a strong supporter of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation and has been central to the many traditions that remain today.

As for the sacred aspect, I couldn’t say. If I see a white person wearing a native design I know they usually mean no disrespect. I think us Cay-Uma-Wa people are thick-skinned enough that we don’t let little things like this bug us. To me, personally, the only blankets that are sacred are the ones my ancestors were wraped in when they were burried- and I don’t need to worry about hipsters wrapping themselves in those.

So high-fashion has caught up to Pendleton and rich people are willing to shell-out some money for it now. As far as I’m concerned they can keep raking in that dough and giving it back to our community. I know that my family and friends (yes, even the white ones!) will be warm for many winters to come.

I’m getting a little bit sick of the assumptions being made on this thread.

Basic plaid, has no particular meaning. So no, it would not be comparable to sacred symbols being used in commercial products, stripped of meaning. I would understand someone being upset however if a company was trying to sell a family tartan without giving it it’s proper credit.

i understand that maybe some of these designs are culturally more significant to you, but it doesn’t mean that i don’t think they’re beautiful too. i really can only equate this with saying that i think no one should be allowed to wear plaid or tartan unless they’re scottish.

I agree. I went to the Pendleton site and priced an outfit they were selling for women. It had that vague Indian hippie look to it, including a fringed denim jacket and a leather ‘coin’ belt. … it was $1088.

Pendleton is making these marketing and advertising decisions. Their line of ‘Ranch Style’ clothing is modeled by thin light skinned women with long brown hair (one model does have long red hair). They are selling this ‘Native’ image and have been quite successful.