Jessica Metcalfe runs an online boutique, Beyond Buckskin, and her blog of the same name. As member of the Turtle Mountain Chippewa tribe, she received her undergraduate degree from Dartmouth College and has a PhD from the University of Arizona in American Indian studies. She was a managing editor and a writer for the International Journal of Indigenous Literature, Arts, & Humanities blog Red Ink Magazine. She was a professor at the Turtle Mountain Community College and state universities where she taught Native American studies, studio art, art history, literature, and anthropology. Her blog Beyond Buckskin that she created in 2009 revolves around Native fashion trends and traditions and showcases over forty Native American artists. With the success of her blog in 2012, Metcalfe built the online store Beyond Buckskin Boutique. This was the first-ever Native-operated and designed online gallery. In 2016, she brought her online boutique to life with a retail store called Brick and Mortar on the Turtle Mountain Indian Reservation, where Metcalfe resides. Beyond Buckskin boutique is an online clothing store that focuses on promoting and bringing Native American Fashion to the world. When you visit the online store you can find Native made clothing, jewelry, and accessories. Metcalfe has spoken as a guest speaker about her journey in the fashion industry and also Native American issues at the following colleges: Ohio State University, Brown University and University of North Dakota. She has also presented at numerous national conferences including the Entrepreneurship & Indigenous Art Conference, the Smithsonian and Museum of Contemporary Native Arts, and co-curated exhibitions. Her current work focuses on Native American art, clothing, and design from past to modern times, with an emphasis on contemporary artists. Metcalfe is passionate about feminism and feels she has to uphold the power from the long line of strong and independent women that came before her.
Beyond Buckskin
Jessica Metcalfe is trying to fight cultural appropriation by showcasing authentic Native American pieces on social media and in her growing boutique. Chain stores like Urban Outfitters and Forever 21, or online websites like Etsy, use Native American inspired designs without their permission or monetary compensation to these tribes. This is a direct violation of the Native American Arts and Crafts Act. She created her blog Beyond Buckskin to share her educational research online where she could reach many people. Due to the popularity of the blog Beyond Buckskin, Beyond Buckskin Boutique came about in 2012. It is a place where native designers can put their work in one spot collectively for many to see. "The idea is that we'll have the Native artists participate in this trend that's part of the culture but they're excluded from," Metcalfe says about her aim to create a Native Etsy. "I wanted to create something that one-ups -- something that's more of a boutique with high end pieces and art." With the help of this platform, the designers can promote and sell their work to everyone, with items ranging from as low as $15 to more expensive items priced at $350 and above. There is a wide variety of merchandise such as clothing for men and women and jewelry and accessories all showcasing native designs and traditions. In an interview, she mentions how "People don't always associate native people with fashion forward thinking, this is meant to change people's way of thinking." Jessica Metcalfe has become a strong advocate for the movement "buy native", which promotes meaningful cross-cultural collaborations and aims to give people who admire native fashion a place to buy directly from the original native artist. On her blog she has a list of multiple native owned businesses and separates them into what they specialize in: fashion, jewelry, accessories, beauty, skin care and health. The blog references places where the buyer can trust they are purchasing authentic native items, and not from a site that falsely claims they are native made, which is illegal.
Beyond Buckskin Mission Statement
Beyond Buckskin empowers Native American artists and designers, advancing the quality of Native American fashion through education while providing an in depth podium for societal participation. Inspired by relevant historical and contemporary Native American clothing design and art, Beyond Buckskin promotes cultural appreciation, social relationships, authenticity and creativity.
