Phoenix-based fashion brand picked to create artwork for Epcot exhibition

PHOENIX — A Phoenix-based fashion brand was commissioned by Walt Disney World to contribute a piece of artwork for a new exhibition at the Epcot World Showcase in Orlando, Florida.

ACONAV, a Native American-owned and operated couture fashion brand that was inspired by the Acoma Pueblo people, was picked by the Disney Imagineers to create one of the seven different pieces in the “Creating Tradition: Innovation and Change in American Indian Art” exhibition.

The exhibition will be housed at the American Heritage Gallery at American Adventure at Epcot this summer. The seven pieces will honor the seven regions in the country.

Loren Aragon, the CEO and designer of ACONAV, said he was sought out by the Imagineers his specific fashion design that honors Native American culture. The company was impressed with Aragon’s works in fashion design and the use of his cultural heritage to create his unique artwork and fashion.

“People who knew me — and what Disney was trying to accomplish — told them about me and what I was doing with pottery art. It basically all fell into line with what they were going after,” he said.

“We got the ball rolling then. They told me what the exhibition would be about and how I would be representing the Southwest by being one of the seven different centerpieces for regions.”

The piece that Aragon will contribute is a gown using black, white and rust colors and monochrome designs to honor the old Native American pot design.

“For this dress I really wanted it to be a gown. I wanted it to be representative of the Disney princess character dresses,” he said. “I wanted to step it up with this one.”

The exhibition featuring the gown is now open.

“This has been a great opportunity to represent Native American art and fashion on a bigger stage and platform,” Aragon said.

“I’m really proud to represent where I am from, Acoma Pueblo, as well as being a representative to all of Native fashion.”

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