Powwow

Can I tell you...about the American Indian Powwow in Brooklyn. Last weekend on a spur of the moment, David and I decided to drive out to Brooklyn to finally see this yearly festival. It's been going on for the past 15 years organized by Red Hawk Council. I've always been interested in Native American culture, costumes, traditions, customs and language. I saw some Hollywood movies as a child and I got hooked. Dustin Hoffman in "Little Big Man" & Richard Harris in a "A Man called Horse". To be specific I was particularly interested in the Sioux and Cheyenne Nations.
Tales of Sitting Bull, Red Cloud and Crazy Horse captivated my imagination. I would draw the battle of Little Big Horn or Custer's Last Stand on my chalkboard again and again. I even had a teepee made out of canvas to play in. I also read "Bury My Heart as Wounded Knee" which is still one of my favorite books.

The program had a variety of different dances showcasing styles and choreography from different tribes from the North East to the South West. The audience was just as diverse. We were in New York after all. I wasn't disappointed with the dancing. As soon as the drum beat started and the shrill tremolo was heard, I got goose bumps all over.


Maybe it was seeing the recent "Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee" HBO TV movie that reignited my interest all over again. Will you see fringe in my next collection. No but never say never. I'm really glad I went and witnessed this yearly gathering. I can check it off my list now or maybe eventually make my way to North Dakota for a larger powwow.

Celebr-Asian

Can I tell you...about Celebr-Asian week at the Target corporation? Every year, the Asian American Business Council of Target hosts a week of events and festivities to celebrate their diverse cultural heritage. This being one of the largest corporations in the US, you can only expect their membership to be quite impressive. Since I was the first accessories designer and Asian American to be a guest designer for the retail giant, the council asked if I would be willing to be their guest speaker for the event. My capsule Holiday / Spring collection, Rafe for Target was such a phenomenal success for them that naturally, the members wanted to know more about me and my Asian heritage. The talk I gave at Boston University certainly warmed me up for this.

They set me up at the sleek and newly minted Chambers Hotel in dowtown Minneapolis, a hop and a skip away from their main offices. Let me tell you, the art in this hotel rivals any contemporary gallery in Chelsea. Designed by the Rockwell group, it features the personal collection of real estate mogul Robert Burnet. Walking in the lobby was like walking into a gallery, not a hotel. I met the council members for dinner at Jean Gorges' Chambers Kitchen. They make their own soda and ice cream. The food , the wine, the desserts and the service were excellent! I can't wait to go back. I got to know some of the members so that made me less nervous about speaking to a crowd.The next day I walked into a room full people wearing Rafe for Target bags! I thought I died and went to heaven. I showed a little slide presentation about my childhood, my hometown, past collections, photos of the process, celebrity photos, etc. I managed to get the crowd to laugh (always a good sign). At the end of my talk, we raffled a few Rafe for Target and Rafe New York bags and then all the girls formed a line so I could sign the linings of their bags. Other people just wanted my signature on the evite for the event. Each and everyone of them had a little funny story to tell me how much they love their Rafe bag, how they get stopped all the time and get envious side glances. Amazing testimonials.

The best one was by a woman who wanted me to sign the back of a photograph of her son. She said he dreams of becoming a designer one day and after hearing my story about how supportive my mother was of me, she intends to be that kind of mother to her son. That really touched my heart. Who knew I would have this kind of effect on people by doing what I love doing? These are the moments when I really love my job!