Identity by Design: Tradition, Change, and Celebration in Native Women's Dresses [Hardcover]

National Museum of the American Indian (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 6, 2007

This beautiful book presents a fascinating array of complete women's and girls' outfits dating from the 1830s to the present, including dresses, shawls, shoes, belts, bags, fans, and hair accessories. Also included is historical and contemporary background information on Native life and Native women and their dress. To accompany a major exhibit of the same name at the NMAI in March 2007.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

The Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of the American Indian is dedicated to working in collaboration with the indigenous peoples of the Americas to foster and protect Native cultures throughout the Western Hemisphere. The museum's publishing program seeks to augment awareness of Native American beliefs and ways of life and to educate the public about the history and significance of Native cultures.

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CÉcile R. Ganteaume, associate curator, joined the National Museum of the American Indian when it was established as part of the Smithsonian. Previously she was on the curatorial staff of the museum's forerunner institution, the Museum of the American Indian-Heye Foundation, in New York. Her essays have appeared in many publications, including Native American Dance: Ceremonies and Social Traditions, Creation's Journey: Native American Identity and Belief, and American Indian Art Magazine. Her research interests center on American Indian material culture, tribal histories, and Apache cultural studies.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Smithsonian (February 6, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061153699
• ISBN-13: 978-0061153693
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #576,065 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely Fantastic!, March 17, 2007

By 

Absolutely Gorgeous "absolutely gorgeous" (Montana United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Identity by Design: Tradition, Change, and Celebration in Native Women's Dresses (Hardcover)

I am a traditional dance dress artist, although not as prolific (or even as expert) as some of those featured in this book. If I could have given more than 5 stars it would receive them. The photos were beautifully clear, although there only one or two photos of some of the featured dresses, they showed the splendor and detail of artistry from the past. I hope this doesn't spawn more artifakes, especially those coming to the US from overseas. This book is a long-awaited dream come true.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Identity By Design, November 26, 2008

By 

D. S. Johnson (Oklahoma) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Identity by Design: Tradition, Change, and Celebration in Native Women's Dresses (Hardcover)

One of the best of it's kind that I have seen in 20 years of researching primitive American artifacts. Detailed research, wonderfully clear photography, great descriptions, excellent documentation.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a priceless resource, August 22, 2009

By 

Paula J. O'keefe "angelynx" (Washington Grove, MD USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Identity by Design: Tradition, Change, and Celebration in Native Women's Dresses (Hardcover)

I can only echo the reviews posted here: this book is a priceless resource for anyone interested in American Indian clothing and decoration, in Indian women's culture, Indian arts and skills, or in the "nuts and bolts" of constructing authentic regalia. I myself am not a costumer but a dollmaker; I visited the exhibition that this wonderful book depicts twice, and I cherish it as a record of that awe-inspiring (literally) roomful of soul-filled dresses. I'm especially impressed that the book includes photos of a Ghost Dance dress, of which photos were not permitted in the museum, and whose presence gave me chills.