VLVL Costume
This costume has been 100% created from scratch with inspirations of multi-cultural influences & the help of Mother Nature. Auctioned off at Viva Las Vegas Live 2002.

This 8 piece costume features, hand dyed deerskin, 27 real feathers cut to scale *some hand dyed with a one haired brush, some natural from the gift of mother nature*, over 1000 hand strung beads,18 bells that jingle with movement, over 140 hand tied fringe, hand wrapped synthetic Sinew on stirrup leathers, wooden tree, leather wrapped saddle *wire reinforced*, adjustable bridle, hand painted/dyed symbols throughout.

The bitless bridle- features 2 way adjustable for that snug fit under chin & throatlatch. One of the Comanche beliefs were to not use the rawhide 'bit' but to guide/turn his horse through knee pressure & balance on a well trained mount. The rosette is common in many tribes including the Crow, Blackfoot, Sioux to name a few & is offset with a dyed center. Red was common in different beliefs whether war, maturity, lodge paintings which all had symbolic meaning. Located at the nose , there are 3 bells that jingle with movement & at the poll, 2 Hawk feathers that frequent Arapaho tribe that have hand dyed bars. The fringe on the reins gives the headpiece a nice balance as well as the 45 strung beads. This bridle is deer skin lined for protection.

The neck piece- features a nice decorative breast piece offset with 'trade cloth' red that forms a chevron thats common in most cultures. I picked this design to fit the 'V' Vegas theme. Dyed in the center is the Watchful Eye symbol that entitles the wearer to be watched over by Spirits. This piece also has 60+ hand tied fringes with the tips carefully dyed for that worn/used appearance. Located on the shoulder are bustles on either side that tribes used in ceremonial gatherings, decorating themselves on the arm, leg, butt to name a few locations. When the Native American decorated themselves, they proudly decorated their horse to match in a simular fashion. Both of the bustles have 4 brown feathers with naturally black tips from a gift of Mother Nature. Nestled in the center is 1 white/black tipped coup feather with 2 red bars dyed in. The Sioux, Hidatsa, Gros Ventre sported these 3rd coup that were worn upright among many tribes. These bustles have matching streamers for a eye pleasing appearance which were also common & are adorned by 3 bells in the center that rest on a partial Sioux design. The Plains indians believed when bells were present & they jingled with wind movement, a Spirit was near.

The saddle-to add to the opening description located to the back of the deer cloth on either side are 3 arrow point symbols dyed in red. Located on the front/rear of the stirrup fringe, are the horse track symbols that the Plains used such as the Sioux, returning from horse raid's. Each track resembles one horse taken.

The Blanket-where the saddle rests has beaded fringes that house over 950+ strung beads on either side in a chevron fashion to fit the 'V' Vegas theme as well. Hidden among teal & bone colored beads is a coup feather that hangs at its lowest point to catch the slightest wind for movement. This coup feather is common among many tribes including the Sioux with the black tip & red spot dyed in. The meaning of this coup is that the wearer killed the enemy. One spot meaning one enemy, 2 spots meaning 2 enemies etc..etc. On the butt of this blanket for arial viewing there is another bustle with hip drops that catch the wind. This bustle features a coup feather with 3 red bars dyed in unlike the shoulder bustles. Located at the end of the hip drops that gently rest, are Hawk wing feather that match the feathers at the poll. This bustle also sports 3 bells in the center as well as a partial Sioux design. From the bustle to the tip of the Chevron, the arrow symbols once again re-appear. The edge has been carefully 'soiled' for that worn appearance.

Leg decorations- are constructed with slip beads for dressing ease & snug fit. On each of the front legs there are 3 bells, while on the hind, it sports fringe in 24 strands of multiples of 4, calling upon the 4 directions to the right spot.




Bear
"Grizzley"- Shown by Susan Colburn.

Fish
"Panfish"- Shown by Becky Hawkins.

Fox
"Artic"-Shown by Myla Pearce.

Fox
"Artic Fox Tails"-Shown by Susan Champagne.

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