Sage Mountainflower is a proud tribal member of Ohkay Owingeh and Taos Pueblo and Diné. Growing up, Sage spent a lot of time traveling between Ohkay Owingeh and Taos Pueblo with her family. With a degree in environmental science and experience as a tribal environmental director, Sage has always been passionate about protecting the earth. But in recent years, Sage has found a new business passion for fashion. Sage Mountainflower has been sewing clothing for over twenty-five years. She began designing clothes for her children so they could participate in traditional ceremonies and pow wows while staying true to their cultural practices. This eventually led to the creation of her own fashion house in 2018, where she creates contemporary clothing that is inspired by traditional native designs.
In addition to designing clothes for her children, Sage also attended a business conference for Native woman-led businesses in Albuquerque. This conference gave her the encouragement she needed to take the leap and create her own business. By 2018, she had established her brand and submitted her application for the Native Fashion In The City show in Denver, Colorado. Sage's inspiration for starting her own fashion business came from a flyer she saw for a native fashion show in Denver, Colorado. Though she missed the first show, she was determined to participate in future events. She began researching how to get involved and eventually established her own brand, complete with a logo and website. This was the key to getting her clothing line into the show, and she has been moving forward ever since.
With her unique blend of traditional and contemporary styles, Sage Mountainflower's fashion line is one to watch in the industry. She is a true inspiration for anyone following their dreams, no matter how long it takes to get there.Growing up, Sage didn't have the opportunity to wear clothing that represented her heritage and culture. She always dreamed of creating her own designs and now she is living that dream. Her clothing is a reflection of her passion for preserving traditional styles while also adding a contemporary flair. Sage Mountainflower's designs are truly something special and she is a designer to watch in the industry.
Sage's fashion line is a true reflection of who she is. Her given and legal name, Sage Mountainflower, flows seamlessly with her brand. She is also known as Sage Pin Povi through social media. Pin Povi translates to her name in her Native language, Tewa to Mountainflower. Her designs are inspired by her travels and the places she calls home. Her clothing is a blend of traditional and contemporary styles, with a focus on creating everyday wear that people can be proud to wear. Sage Mountainflower is a self-taught fashion designer who began her journey as a designer in 1997 when a friend gave her a sewing machine, where she began to create clothing for her children. Since then, she has been honing her skills and experimenting with different techniques and styles.
Sage's designs are known for their intricate beadwork, which she learned from watching her mother and aunties. In 2018, she entered in Santa Fe South Western American Indian Market as a beadwork artist and eventually evolved into textile art. She has won awards for her designs, including a second place at the Heard Museum Indian Fair and Market for her "She brings the Rain" outfit that was featured in Vogue in 2019 following Santa Fe Indian Market. She also was awarded a blue ribbon for her it’s Phendi Tewa dress, at the Heard in 2022 This dress is a black on black cocktail dress with black and gold bead work. Phendi in the Tewa language translates to black, which she eventually turned into a collection. Her dress was even sold to the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Massachusetts, which she considers is a great accomplishment. One thing that sets Sage apart from other designers is that she names all of her creations and assigns a story to each one. If you ask her about any of her designs, she will tell you the story behind it, from the inspiration and creation process to the final outcome. Sage Mountainflower's unique approach to fashion design has made her a standout in the industry, and her clothing is sought after by fashion enthusiasts around the world.
Sage Mountainflower's accomplishments in the fashion industry have been numerous, but one of her greatest achievements was being able to showcase her designs at Milan Fashion Week. As a Native woman, being able to showcase her designs at the world capital of fashion was a significant milestone in her career. Sage's designs have also had a positive impact on others, particularly young indigenous girls. She was once touched by a story of a little girl from Tohajiilee, a small part of the Navajo Reservation not too far from Albuquerque, who saw a photo of Sage wearing her ribbon skirt, Jordans, and a denim jacket, and went to school the following Monday wearing her own ribbon skirt in honor of Sage representing Native America. Sage's vision for the future of Sage Mountainflower includes creating a ready-to-wear line, continuing to create indigenous designs, and opening a fashion house. She has already secured a location for her fashion house in Ohkay Owingeh, which is open by appointment only and online.
Sage Mountainflower's designs are a true reflection of her heritage and culture, and her passion for preserving traditional styles while also adding a contemporary flair. She is an inspiration to many and continues to pave the way for indigenous designers in the fashion industry. Sage's ultimate goal is to continue growing her brand and inspiring others to keep creating. She wants to show people that it's okay to dream big and to look beyond the boundaries of their tribes and reservations. Indigenous fashion is making a breakthrough and it's an exciting time to be a part of it. Sage believes that everyone has a bit of creativity in their heart and soul, and it's important to keep tapping into it. Sage Mountainflower is a true inspiration, showing that with hard work, dedication and a creative mindset, one can achieve their dreams, no matter how big they may seem. She is a role model for those who want to make a difference in the world in more than one way, she is a protector of the earth and a fashion designer, a true representation of how one can be passionate about more than one thing and excel in all.
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