Wow! More proof that Glacsy lies and steals!

I was recently informed by someone in the Glacsy camp that they decided to feature a stolen design in their 2009 Navajo Nation Fair fashion show.  It proves that they lie and network with the most dishonest people.  Only one word comes to mind.  SCUM!!!  They call me a liar, childish and unprofessional?  They seriously need to learn how to run a business and what constitutes proper business ethics.  They call people childish and stupid when they are confronted with tangible truth they cannot refute!  Dealing with them is like dealing with someone with mental deficiencies.

They like to think that by attacking my talents that it will make them better at whatever they do.  The evidence is in the skills…they can launch whatever hate campaign they want and have their “friends” help but it just is not going to work…I am a talented designer and for every one “hater” there are thousands of fans loving what I do.

For every one show I do, it’s is like a hundred shows for them…basically for the Glacsy impaired, that means that I don’t have to sell myself as hard as they do and take every offer that comes down the pike!  I can afford to be choosy about the projects I take and the people I work with.

They have no choice…they HAVE to take whatever offers come their way because of thier substandard talents.  I hope from here on out they stay out of my life and out of my way…which I doubt will happen because they live on trying to deter my talents by talking their lies and trash.  They are on borrowed time.  They are running out of tricks and appeal.  The more people know them the more they realize they don’t like them and hate the clothing they make and that’s the truth!

They act like I don’t know the stories behind the scenes.  I worked with them for almost 5 years and they told me every secret and every insecurity they have.  I know why they act out…they can be childish and say, “Well so do we.”  They fail to understand that I was doing this long before them in Los Angeles and I know all the “tricks.”  They seriously need to put something between their ears besides lies and hate.  I moved on ages ago and it is them that want to see that they are still relevant to me…they don’t matter to me and what I do.  I never relied on them then and I don’t rely on them now.  They bring up stuff  just to get people talking about them because that’s the only time they are in the public eye is when they are trying to create old drama with me.  The public is growing tired of them.  The public cannot be fooled by the real talent.

People cannot deny who they want to see and who’s shows they will go to.  I was a major draw for a lot of shows.  I do not lie when I say I am the designer that saves annuals and gets from the first annual to the second.  My designs inspire and move people.  I am the designer that is most copied and I do breath new ideas into the Native Market.

It really is sad that a lot of these people in the Native American Market cannot come up with their own ideas.  They have to see what someone else does and then copy them…that’s why you cannot tell the difference between something done by Big Water Design to Navajo Spirit. 

That is evident when Glacsy decided to use a garment I produced in their Navajo Nation Fair show.  It’s a piece that Anderson Yazzie decided not to return to me.  I have to stop trusting people and thinking that people are worth helping.  The company Glacsy keep are just like them!  SCUM!

The following photo was taken by Navajo Arts and Crafts for the show I did for the 2009 Women of the Navajo Calender lauch at 2008’s Navajo Nation Fair.  The photo was posted to the “Go Navajo” website.

The evidence can be seen at:

http://harrynezphotography.smugmug.com/Native-Models/Fashion-Show/Glacsy-Models-Fashion-Show/9682060_FX32y#654053381_DgZBF

Turn up the heat and liars will tell on themselves

As seen in the last blog entry, Ray Linder from Glacsy, responded…funny, I did not mention Glacsy in the last article and they just assumed it was about them and that the situation was about them.  It’s funny that they assume that I only have this one thing going on in my life because it’s the only thing going on in their lives…how do they know I’m not talking about some other promotional company and that they are the people from my past I do not wish to work with.

I did not mention names because it wasn’t about them (and I’m not confirming if I’m talking about Glacsy), it was about a situation that I was in and I genuinely did not know what to do.  I will say this:  I had already decided to drop out of the event that proposed me working with Glacsy.  That particular promotion company told me that It was my choice to turn down events but that they would keep me posted to upcoming events and if I chose to do them–then, “YAY!”

I personally cannot believe that I even sent a response to his accusations because I was basically giving into their own self-serving egos.  It was a waste of spiritual energy in doing so but I had to “draw the line”, “burn the bridge”, “bury the past once and for all”, with Glacsy.

I have moved on and I am doing great things for myself and Glacsy has to rear their ugly heads into my present with their grand standing and last bid to use my talents to sell themselves.  They are yesterday’s news.  They may once in awhile get an offer from some office in Phoenix or Los Angeles but once they go out and represent themselves…the industry people see them for what they are…amateurs…they don’t have the educational or professional background to carry off whatever it is they do to the  serious industry people.

Well now that I have wasted even more energy and time on this matter…let’s hope Glacsy is in the past once and for all…oh, and the fact that Glacsy decided to borrow and refuse to return $5000 (yes, $5000) worth of designs and production equipment (deliver all the low blows you want Ray), it will always be an issue if someone asks me to work with you (and there I am addressing Glacsy directly).  I ‘m tired of my talents being used promote these people and yes…to a certain extent people do have to serve me…hate it? DEAL WITH IT!!!  I am a REAL FASHION DESIGNER WITH REAL TALENT and not some “mom and po(o)ped-out” lemonade stand.  LOVE ME, HATE ME, WHEN IT COMES RIGHT DOWN TO IT–you’re promoting me and people ask the question:  “Why do they hate you so much…I saw your designs and love them…if it weren’t for their hate…I would never have gotten to know your talent.”

SELL OUT OR SIGN OUT?

What I’m wondering.  Currently, I am in a situation in which I have finally got the interest of a promotional company that would like to work on getting me to a broader audience.  They raise all the money and I showcase my talents.  I see great potential in “signing” with them but they threw a wrench into the whole thing by bringing in someone I do not want to work with.

I use to work closely with these people and we were very close that we were even going into a partnership but they went behind my back and tried registering all my ideas under their name.  What’s worst is that I had loaned them about close to $5000 in original designs and production equipment.

The company does not know the history between us and the company is very interested in working with me and sees what everybody else has seen.  I have been known to have been the designer to save annual events and headline a first annual to get the second annual.

Logically, I’m thinking that if this company is coming to me that they want to expand their “fashion department” of their promotion company and see me as the one to do this.  People have told me not to sell out. “Be the Diva that you know you are and tell them you will not work with those people–it’s either you or them,” they tell me.

At this point, I feel that I have earned it.  The right not to have to work with such people.  If it’s my talent they want then they are going to have to show a little respect.  Am I wrong for not selling out, or selling my talent short?

In the past, it was my talent that showcased others with lesser talents and with these people, once I left their network, interest dropped in what they were doing.

Sell out or sign out is what’s been on my mind the past few days.  What would I do?  I know what I want to do but is it the right thing to do in the grand scheme of things?  Am i cutting my nose off to spite my face–is the question,  I guess.

New stuff going on with Nizhoni Way!

Well, after a couple of months of finding out who to trust and who not to trust, I think I’m finally hitting my stride.  I am in talks with possible representation–FINALLY!  With a company located close to home.  They want to me to keep my ideals while designing what I want to design without suggestions to design more like their other Native “Fashion” labels.  I’m excited to see what will come from that.  All’s I know is that they have organized solo shows for other Native American Clothing people around the world.

I am keeping my fingers crossed that they will be able to hook me up with some shows (and sales) in Europe, Asia, and Australia.  It would finally give me the freedom to take on the cliental that I would like to have while reaching more people from different backgrounds.  I am EXCITED!

It’s not set but I was approached by the World AIDS organization to help promote the “RED Collection” for World AIDS Day.  No one in the Native American Community wants to touch the collection because of the subject matter.  It’s kind of upsetting that they would want to turn their backs on something that is meant to help people but you can’t force people believe what they want to believe.  Some have condemned me and pray that I turn away from this path of “evil.”  Some say that I am only propagating the “Gay Agenda.”  If so, I have yet to receive my welcoming packet with gift coupons to the hottest gyms and sex shops!

I really wanted to do this collection to bring to light the reality of AIDS/HIV to the Native Peeps.  There is so much being said and nothing being done.  I wanted to present the truth and let people be aware and remove prejudice, stigma and just plain ignorance about the disease.

So the next couple of months should be interesting for me.  It’s a make or break kind of thing and all’s I can do is just do what I do best and let the proverbial chips fall where they may

 

Also, check the latest article on Nizhoni Way Apparel and Dineh Couture at:  http://www.indiancountrytoday.com/living/51586452.html

Life is good!

I am working on new stuff and getting some really great projects. As I told those in the past, “I have everything to gain my telling the truth while others have everything to loose by speaking one once of truth.” It really is nice working with the pack of new people I have become acquinted with. It has inspired me to move on and the new network is paying off in dividends!

It is a great weight not having to be the one that was carrying people with absolutely no talent. I really am working with a more talented group of people. We are all like minded individuals who really want to bring real fashion designers and real artists to the forefront of the Native American Market. There is a small legion of actual Native American Fashion Designers all ready to take a stand and move towards changing the Native American Market and make it a viable commodity to sell to mainstream fashion.

The market is currently congested with these faux modeling agencies who really have no clue what it means to be an actual agency. I have heard from a couple of those models who were signed with said modeling agencies and have all said the same, “What a jip it is to be sold all these promises only to find out that it was all hype and that I was the one that had to work to get myself noticed. If I had known that from the beginning, I wouldn’t have signed with them and I would not have had to turn down much better offers because I was signed with them.”

I really don’t believe in spreading rumors when the truth is so much more effective. Others take advantage of people entering the Native American Fashion Industry because everyone is just waiting to see who they can use. I’ve worked with enough people to know who not to work with and who not to trust. I’ve even learned that even if you trust them they are just waiting to cut you up. I have the talents that have made it possible for me to weather all the negativity that others choose to spread. It’s because of my talents that people want to work with me and choose to continue to work with me. It’s my talents that book designers, models and photographers!

I am excited with future prospects and all the new and interesting people I’m going to be working with. Talent inspires talent and I have been challenging myself greatly!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Karma is a little witch, y’all

The press is in and as I predicted, Native American Fashion Week was a complete failure. An event that boasted designers from Salt Lake City, Phoenix, Flagstaff, Albuquerque, Santa Fe and Denver-when I was on board with the event, was reduced to only glacsy and grand falls creations. Tionne Linder blamed the promotion of the event for the low attendance. The truth was that the event was doomed from the beginning due to the lack of people skills of Ray Linder. Making outlandish requests and demands of the designers drove them away in droves! More than likely, they do not want to see this as a failure because of their egos but when the papers report only 60 people a show, versus the costs to produce the show-It’s a dud!

“Not all that!” was the report from some of the attendees. The sad thing in all this is that this show could have been a major knock out of the park if Glacsy had not decided to sneak around an make an enemy of me. I’m sorry but when I drop a show or a network people take notice and based on my design capabilities, more credence is given to me more so than someone like Glacsy with their mediocre photography, sub-standard fashion designs and models-who they claim they train every weekend before shows, that can’t walk or hit their mark–trust me, I’ve seen the video.

I did mention to them that they had been a long time liability to me and only jeopardized by credibility with other organizations. I was their #1 advocate because they needed one. No one wanted to work with them and I had to make the hard sale convincing people they are worthy. They wanted to insist that their actions did not disrespect me the way my departure did them. I was not the one sneaking around registering my ideas under their name. It’s vindicating that the input I have had in previous shows has been made apparent with the failure of this show. They complained that I was not doing my part and they can see now (which I doubt they will) what I contribute to the shows.

I am moving into more fashion show production and hope to produce shows for the designers I promote and these are designers who have the educational background to have a successful career in the fashion industry and not a bunch of fakes who think that by watching “America’s Next Top Model “and “Project Runway” constitutes “industry experience.”

I know they are going to respond to this because they just have to know everything their “competitors” are doing. Of course, they are going to be all, “I know you are but what am I?”

 

 

 

 

This is the last post on the matter.

Yes, Glacsy is holding my personal designs hostage and refuses to release them.  They alledgidly claim that they came out to return my stuff to me but no one was home to receive said belongings. Especially when it was advised that they not appear without first notifying me by phone or email as they were not welcome without invite.   According to bulletin posts last weekend-which they claim they dropped by (June14),  I was busy working on an order due last Monday (June 16th).  I was here all day that day.  As a matter of fact I was sewing in front of the TV which is conveniently located by my front doorstep.  Also, the drapes were drawn open and I was facing said door stop and at 2PM-the alleged time of first arrival, I did not see anyone pull up.  They also claim a 10PM visit as well and also chose to implicate one of their models in this alleged visit.  I still was in front of the TV-not sewing but, watching a mini-marathon of “Kimora: Life in the Fabulous Lane.”  Before that, I was watching “The Medium”-cause I love me some Medium!  It was an episode I missed when it originally aired-ROSANNA ARQUETTE!

I did send them emails and over the phone asked them to mail out my stuff and relayed to them that would be the best, most convenient, and cheapest way to draw this matter to a close.  They refused to comply.  When expressed to Tionne Linder her response was, “You can pay for the postage!”  My response was, “Fine, send it C.O.D.”  Her response was that I was being childish and unprofessional and that I <b>HAD</b> to come out to there residence and receive my property myself.  I did express to several people I felt that this was an attempt at luring me into an unsafe situation for their final confrontation-they concurred.

I was doing fine getting on with the business of Nizhoni Way Apparel and Wednesday evening,  I receive a slue of insulting and threatening emails from Ray Linder about law suits.  I was confused as to where this was all coming from.  Then it was suggested that I check and see what the latest news was on NAFW.  To my surprise, they had absolutely no designers booked for the show.  The only clothing that was to be seen was from Glacsy.  It had become apparent that the handling of designers (some of whom appeared at L’Oreal Fashion Week, Los Angeles Fashion Week, Phoenix Fashion Week, and Scottsdale Fashion Week) had taken a turn. 

The one complaint that they told me as to why  they decided against doing the show-the outrageous request of Glacsy to drop their lives and attend their model workshops.  One designer was touring California and could not make the workshops-they were dropped from the show.  Another designer was in the process of moving and could not attend because they were given a deadline to be out of their apartment or they would be charged a whole nother month’s rent, they couldn’t make the workshop-they were dropped from the show.

I had gotten top quality designers for NAFW not to mention a bevy of size 2, 4, and 6’s-which is the preferred sample size of most designers.  They were all coming out from all parts of the U.S.  But because Glacsy decided to pull a nasty power play and demand that models and designers travel all the way out AT THEIR EXPENSE to window rock to attend their workshops, all decided that it just was not worth their efforts.  Especially those who have worked major industry fashion shows-<b>and again, by industry, I do not mean, Santa Fe Indian Market, Gathering of Nations, the Window Rock Museum, The Window Rock Sports Center, or The El Morro Theatre in Gallup.</b>  They all had to work and could not get the time off.  They rely on thier jobs and businesses to keep them out of the red as they pursue crossover success-which I am also in pursuit of.

I did not tell anyone not to do the shows or to cancel.  As stated in earlier post, I encouraged fashion talent to participate and even continued to sell the show to other designers.  I even stated that I would like to see Native American Fashion Week prosper and succeed.  This current event has taken a vast step back-in my opinion, without the content of real design talent, a fashion week will on succeed-something Glacsy refuses to see.

The future of NAFW  is questionable as of now.  I do hope that in my endeavors to promote and move into producing fashion shows that these last few months, will not reflect on my events badly.  My hope is that people will be able to make the distinction between my work and those I am working with from Glacsy.

I have fully moved on but according to emails sent to me this past Monday Glacsy refuses to let it go.  My hope is that they will realize their errors and continue with honesty and integrity.  I have wondered as a result of these dealings if Glascy had been embellishing the business practices of Native Model Studio and Larry Price–I wonder if my involvement with their smear campaign was yielded by half or untruths on part of the owners of Glacsy.

Designing Nightmare!

This is a dress I designed while I worked with Navajo Spirit back in 2002. The original design was quite dated and looked like something Blair Warner would have worn in “The Facts of Life!” I felt that if we were going to be designing something for royalty then it should be something modern and stylish and something she could pull out of her closet ten years from now and still feel like it’s something she could wear.

I know that it was a challenge getting this dress made. Not because the pattern was particularly difficult but because of the staff at the time were quite lazy and really didn’t want to undergo any new endeavors. Wow, I made this dress super simple to sew up and there were so few pieces. It was a simple sheath design with cutouts in the back. All in all, it had a total of 4 self pieces, 5 interfacing pieces, and 3 lining pieces. It was a simple side zipper-no invisible zippers! The seamstress actually did not know how to sew it up! It was ironic because she use to walk around talking smack-off handedly, about my skills as a seamstress, patternmaker, and designer. I did a contoured collar and she insisted that the collar was all wrong because it didn’t fit her fat neck! I told the boss that it wasn’t made for her neck but for Onawa’s neck which was slender and swan like.

The seamstress threw a hissy-fit over the dress and collar! I just threw my arms up and the air and told the boss, “Let her sew it up however she wants! It’s only your reputation that’s going to suffer-not mine!” Of course, the seamstress got so frustrated with the collar and dress she gave up! She left for the day and told me before she left- “You didn’t even make that collar right! It’s your problem don’t bother me with it!”

Stress time? Oh, did I mention that Onawa was coming in that day for a fitting and we had no dress for her to try on! Well, I simply got up from my design table calmly walked over to the industrial sewing machine and took the pieces of the dress and proceeded to sew. An hour before Onawa came in, I had a complete dress! Zipper and everything! The only thing the seamstress managed to sew up was the dress darts! I had time to clean up the dress (cut off stray threads, do the hem-invisible hem-BY HAND, and steam the thing)!

I remember when she walked in. I gave her full on VIP treatment! I remember she mentioned she like this “NO DOUBT” t-shirt I was wearing. She commented that she was going to see their concert-I don’t remember where she was going to attend the concert-I was nervous about the dress. She was my first VIP client with Navajo Spirit. She like the entire outfit I wore that day-I told her I designed it myself. She said, “Oh, you’re the designer?” I told her, “Oh no, I’m the assistant designer.” At the time, I was doing all the designing. Onawa came in, tried on the dress, and was smiling ear to ear! She loved it and it fit her to perfection! The only thing wrong was that the seamstress had not done the darts right. So all’s the alterations it needed–fix the darts.

I of course took care of that myself because the seamstress was not going to like the fact that I not only did my job, the job of my boss but her job as well and would purposely ruin the dress just to make her self seam more important. The boss pretty much left up a lot of the designing to me while I was there. I gave her advice on how to improve her business and she knew that if she wanted to take everything to the next level she would have to make the changes I was telling her. She did do one thing before I left that I felt was taking a step in the right direction. She got rid of the seamstress in question and hired a seamstress who had actual production experience. She use to work as a seamstress for a major clothing line. I was impressed and got along fine with her!

Working there was okay. If I had to do it all over again, I’d re-staff and demand that the boss train me on the cash register. The employees there showed up physically but mentally they were all vacant. Which would explain the overcharges made to the customers and the cash shortages in the dailies. On one event, the second in command (the cutter), confessed that she came into work intoxicated and even passed out at the cash register while customers were coming in! One of the customers woke her up! The staff I worked with made that job hell! Even with the setting my own time card, vacation time whenever I pleased, and extra long lunch breaks-the job just was not worth it.

I did see my ex-boss while I was out doing my shopping this past Monday. One word-AWKWARD!!! I was ready to say hi to her and let bygones be bygones-all the accusations about me stealing patterns and unsubstantiated rumors that I was using her designs to start Nizhoni Way Apparel. What did she do when she noticed it was me. She turned her nose up in the air and flipped major attitude! I should have tripped her! Ha, ha! No, I wouldn’t have done that. She is still a Navajo Woman and deserves respect-oh, not from me but from someone-you knew I was going to stick that in! LOL! All jokes Aside from all the jokes, if it had not been for me working there, I would not have had the courage to start Nizhoni Way Apparel, DKC*fx, and NuGen Productions!

Below is a sketch of the gown both front and back!  Both front and back pieces are all one piece.  With the exception of the diamond stairstep piece.  That was separate.

The Year So Far!

Not much to report.  Designs are plentiful!  I’ve been working real hard on Nizhoni Way Apparel and DKC*fx.  Two labels that are to represent the extremes of my design talents.  Nizhoni Way is for the more mature and conservative individual while DKC*fx is for the more daring fashionista!  I’ve been hit with a great deal of creativity as far as what to do with my next collection(s).

 Interest in my design talents have been peaking.  I was recently asked to register for L’oreal Fashion Week in Canada.  I’d love to but it’s less than a month away and hardly enough time to get ready but I have not abandoned the idea of attending as a spectator. 

Still writing.  I recently wrote an article for a local paper covering a charity fashion show I produced.  Many cancellations by models mostly-they wanted to stay in the cities to get drunk and get laid at the superbowl parties-I guess.  The funny thing is that they begged me to book them for my next show.  Needless to say, that those models will never be working with NuGen ever!

Fall/Winter 2008 Native American Fashion Week (NAFW).  With Glacsy relocating to Tucson, NAFW will also be heading into Tucson as well.  Tionne from Glacsy will be scouting locations for the event.  She will be working with MAC cosmetics beginning in April.  Glacsy is simply relocating and not closing up-to the chagrin of Native Model Studio!

Speaking of the Devil, Native Model Studio thought it would be a good idea to have a “Model Workshop” in Phoenix in the last weekend of February.  Despite the fact that they have no industry experience or industry connections, they are charging models $200 for attending.  I feel that this is morally wrong because they are offering something they cannot deliver.  They are taking advantage of inspiring models desperation to “break” into the industry.  I have personally been campaigning to put a stop to this and make more people aware.  By letting them know of such organizations as: Northern Styles, Spirit Model Executive.  Also, directing models to Modeling Advice to give them legitimate advice on breaking into the business and how to spot scams.

What a year!

It’s been awhile.  I haven’t been here in a long time.  I am currently trying to get the website back up and running.  I have been re-tooling everything with Nizhoni Way Apparel and such.  I’ve been mentoring new designers and helping to promote and produce shows for others.  It’s been a crazy year filled with spite, jealousy and all around meanness.

 This is the year that saw the start of “Native Fashion Week” which was started by Glacsy and myself (more Glacsy than I).  It was of course met with great success–in spite of Native Model Studio and Larry Price Photography’s efforts to sabotage the event by calling designers we booked and asking them to cancel.  Even if the designers had canceled, Glacsy and Nizhoni Way Apparel pack enough punch to carry any show.

As a result, Glacsy and Nizhoni Way Apparel forged an alliance known as NuGen Productions. NuGen Productions was something we started as an answer to a problem that Nizhoni Way Apparel and Glacsy faced when we first started out.  Our labels were lost in the shuffle of shady promoters and producers who would use our talents to promote themselves and leave us out of the picture completely.  This is a problem we found to be more common than not.  So we banded together to promote talent and present solid designers with the goods to back any hype generated.

 Some of the designers we have been promoting are Michelle Silver with Dineh Couture, Cameron James with Destiny Evolved, Cassandra Tsosie with Designs by Cassie, Dean RiceHill with Jadi Emsembles.  We hope to bring more up and coming designers  to the forefront of fashion and hope that you will continue to support our endeavors.  Thank you and have an awesome New Year!