RIDER JACKETS + COATS
The traditional elements we use in the Ginew collection are Amanda and Erik's tribal values, family stories, symbols, and traditional textiles.
WAX CANVAS RIDER JACKET INSPIRATION
Ginew designed the Wax Rider Outerwear after Amanda’s grandfather who struggled to obtain employment as a Native welder in the 1950s in the towns neighboring the reservation. Together, Amanda's grandparents made the decision not to relocate to the city and chose instead to maintain the family on the reservation, surrounded by culture and support of an extended-kinship community. This meant that Grandpa had to travel - travel a long, long way to the city every Sunday and Friday night for the duration of his career. A motorcycle company in Milwaukee (Harley Davidson) hired him...and this is how he supported our family. It was his dedication to our family and culture...his wisdom, love, bravery, courage, respect, honesty, humility, and truth...which he taught us in these actions. To honor him, Ginew designed their Rider Jacket to include these traditional values. Maybe this is how we are able to share with people and peers in the fashion ecosystem, shops, and customers - to the very real existence of Native people in a contemporary context - living and thriving in this present day.
PHOTO: Ginew's Genesis Leaf on jacket hardware.
In addition to family stories like Amanda’s grandfather, Ginew also includes symbols and traditional textiles into the collection. You'll sometimes find designs, such as the white oak leaf (Ginew's Genesis Leaf) on Ginew's hardware and embroidered or collars or on hats and other surprising locations as well as the incorporation of the traditional symbols of the Oneida Skydome (creation story) and Ojibwe dwelling/house.
MODERN MODIFICATIONS
Modifications from numerous Wisconsin moto-club jackets of the past era have been incorporated into one coat. We slimmed the sides, lengthened the back, and extended the arms. The wax canvas material has been made for the US military by the same family for seven generations. We dare you... go ahead and try to wear it out.
PHOTO: Ginew's embroidery Native Americana Lodges on jacket
Ginew includes select symbols from the co-founders' tribes so that they - as contemporary Indigenous people - can wear clothes daily that contain elements which are dear and special to them and share this for all to wear. Small-batch clothing production meant to last years and years...
Ginew: a Native American family business. WEAR WITH SPIRIT