Culture’d Couture fashion show brings Bismarck-Mandan community together for Native art and style

Bonnie Good Bird and Rochelle Wells, the mother-daughter founders of Culture’d Couture, had long dreamed of hosting a runway fashion show in their community. Good Bird and Wells discussed the idea with Sacred Pipe Resource Center staff. Eventually, they organized the event following the 8th Annual Native Art, Craft and Entrepreneur Fair.

In addition to the two Culture’d Couture founders, the showcase included the work of designers Crystal Two Hearts and ShoShana Saddler.

Good Bird and Wells, both citizens of the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation, founded Culture’d Couture in September. Good Bird, a retired Bureau of Indian Affairs Land Development worker, is known for her ribbon skirts and pants. She started sewing six years ago to create beautiful and colorful designs. Her daughter, Rochelle Wells, specializes in T-shirts and silkscreen printing, a technique that uses stencils to transfer ink onto fabric.

The purpose of hosting the Culture’d Couture Fashion Show was to display the work of local Indigenous designers. All the clothing featured throughout the event tied back to Native art and culture.

“We have a beautiful culture,” she said. “So embrace our culture because it was not many years ago that we could not speak our language. We couldn’t wear our attire and sing our songs or be in ceremony.”

ShoShana Saddler, a citizen of the Chippewa Cree Tribe, first learned crafts from her aunt when she was 8 years old, with her first project being a bracelet. In junior high, she began sewing and eventually created more complex outfits. She primarily makes ribbon skirts and shirts but also experiments with beading. In recent years, Saddler has received growing requests and commissions from Rocky Boy’s Reservation community members.

The now 38-year-old learned about the fashion show from Good Bird, a member of her extended family. She chose to participate because she believes Indigenous representation is crucial in art and design, and she emphasizes that the heart and intention behind each piece are what truly matter.

“It’s a form of art because when you make those, you’re putting a part of you into that work,” she said. “I always tell my kids or the people I’m teaching that when you’re beading or sewing, you have to go into it in a good way because you’re putting that energy into whatever you’re doing.”

Prior to the event, Good Bird held an Indigenous designer and model search for the Culture’d Couture Showcase at the Sacred Pipe Resource Center on Nov. 22. Altogether, four designers and 20 models registered for the show.

Professional model Fatima Finley taught aspiring models what to expect on and off the runway, helped them develop their style of walk and gain confidence while onstage. In addition to building their portfolios, applicants had the opportunity to spotlight and sell wearable art. Models walked three times throughout the show on Saturday.

Good Bird and Wells had the models practice on the runway stage the morning before the fashion show. Many of the models were young adults and teenagers.

“I accepted the models all the way up to Friday the 29th,” Good Bird said. “That’s why we got so many –– but they needed the confidence to be able to walk down and practice on that stage. They did extremely well.”

Good Bird sells her clothing at a few events yearly, including the annual SPRC Native Art, Craft and Entrepreneur Fair. She suggests anyone interested in custom pieces reach out to her on Facebook or in-person back home in New Town.

Looking ahead to 2025, Good Bird plans to expand her presence at additional venues. Her next scheduled event will be at the Indigenous Association in Fargo on Feb. 14, followed by another on May 21 at the Fort Berthold Reservation.

Beyond expanding her venues, Good Bird plans to continue honing her craft. She aims to learn appliqué and enhance her ribbon stitching skills while incorporating more inspiration from the MHA Nation into her designs. “The Mandans have a lot of geometric designs,” she said.

Nevayleigh Hill, an eighth-grader from New Town, learned about the fashion show from “Aunt Bonnie.” Encouraged by Good Bird, who believed she had what it takes to model, the 13-year-old participated in the event. Throughout the show, Hill primarily wore ribbon skirts. The MHA Nation citizen said she had a positive experience working as a model during the showcase.

“It was really fun practicing, doing the classes and learning about modeling,” Hill said. “Whenever we had to walk in front of everyone, I was really nervous at first, but then you just got used to it. You just have to have the right mindset to do it.”