Quannah Chasinghorse, an Indigenous model who has appeared in Vogue Mexico and on runway for Gucci and Rihanna, said she didn’t feel welcome at the Met Gala this year because it was ‘elitist’ and a ‘weird place to be in,’ according to reports.
The 19-year-old, whose heritage is Hän Gwich’in and Oglala Lakota, was a guest of designer Peter Dundas at the September 14 fashion show, but told Insider this week that the entire event didn’t quite correspond with her moral viewpoints.
‘I’m not a snob,’ she continued. ‘It’s just that I don’t think I fit in places like this because I’m not an elitist. Because I feel as though I’m constantly having to break down barriers, my method of moving about in the world, in the business, is very different from everyone else.’
‘I was alone, no one knew me,’ she continued. ‘People are there for themselves, and it is evident.’
Quannah certainly has shattered many barriers, and she was the first Native American to front Vogue Mexico in May.
She has also posed for Calvin Klein and Chanel ads, graced the runway for Prabal Gurung, Gabriela Hearst, Jonathan Simkhai, Rihanna’s Savage x Fenty x Gucci, and most recently for Gucci.
For Quannah, though, going to the Met Gala was a different experience. She claimed that she felt out of place while there.
‘It was such a strange place to be in,’ she added. ‘I remember standing there, looking at everyone, and feeling so alienated. Like really, really lonely,’ she continued, noting that there weren’t many more indigenous people in the area.
It appeared that Quannah had some time to process her emotions, because the teen model had mentioned how excited she was to attend that evening.
‘I can’t thank you enough for allowing me to go to my first Met Gala. Words can’t express how grateful I am to those who made it possible for me to attend,’ Ms De Nicola wrote on Instagram following the event.
She went on to declare, ‘I never liked the phrase “In America: A Lexomic of Fashion” for the gala,’ adding, ‘I did not celebrate American independence (nor will I ever) and instead celebrated my own indigenous bloodlines coursing through my veins as I hold so close and sacred to my heart because over and over again my people have fought geocide and we are still here.
I am saddened by the inconsistencies, but I will utilize them and convert them.
She went on to add, ‘No way will I be celebrating America. If I were to celebrate anything, it would be my indigenous roots, my indigeneity. Because of what America did to my people, I am happy to be here today.’
‘My ancestors had to survive so much genocide after genocide over the years,’ she concluded.
Quannah paired her gown — a Dundas x Revolve number custom-made for her by Revolve — with Navaho silver and turquoise jewelry she borrowed from her aunt in Arizona, the former Miss Navajo Nation Jocelyn Billy-Upshaw.
‘All of that turquoise and silver, as well as my tattoos, brought me back,’ she continued. ‘All of my forefathers were there with me at the red carpet, walking it with me. This made me feel more powerful.’
On Instagram, she called it “extremely significant” that she was able to display beautiful REAL (natives) AMERICAN “culture.” She also explained the significance of her jewelry.
‘The turquoise stands for protection, direction, and love,’ she added. ‘All of which I felt as I walked the crimson carpet with the spirits of my forefathers walking beside me.’
‘I’m just so grateful to share my knowledge, culture, and perspective with others. It’s an incredible feeling knowing that my presence allows for important awareness of indigenous beauty, style, art, and communities, as well as many of the problems we face as a people.’
Quannah lamented the fact that, while she has achieved a lot in her life and career, she feels like there is so much more to do. She explained that along with climate change and Indigenous issues, these are still important causes for her.
‘I’m really passionate about the [activism] work I do,’ she added. ‘When Native youngsters contact me and tell me that I inspire them to use their voice and look more into their culture, it makes my heart sing.’
In reality, her modeling career is contributing to greater awareness of the issues.
“People forget that we are people who have been through a lot. They forget about the past, much less know it—it’s been forgotten for years. But we’re seeing more Indigenous folks being lifted and included now, and it’s fantastic to be a part of it,” she added.
“I wanted to be a model since I was young, but I never saw Indigenous representation in fashion or beauty,” she said. “Fortunately, things are evolving now, which has allowed me to participate.”
‘I never felt good about myself as a Native American because of the bad preconceptions,’ she added. ‘But that’s starting to change. Younger generations will be able to witness Indigenous excellence on magazine covers — and, hopefully, all over.’
Quannah is not the only Met Gala attendee to express her feelings about the event.
Amy Schumer opened up about her debut at the soiree during an interview with Howard Stern in 2016, when she called the event a ‘punishment’ rather than a pleasant evening.
‘It’s people doing an imitation of having a conversation,’ Amy said of the fashion-focused event. ‘I’m not a fan of farce.’
‘We’re dressed up like a bunch of pricks. I don’t care for it. I’m not interested in fashion….,’ says one female participant.’
Despite her discomfort during the event, Amy did return the next year.
Demi Lovato, the chart-topping artist, also aired a highly revealing account of their ‘traumatic experience’ at the 2016 Met Gala in Billboard in 2018, when she revealed they had such a horrible time at the event that it nearly prompted them to relapse.
‘this celebrity was a nightmare to be around,’ they recounted. ‘It was really cliquey.’ I recall wanting to drink because I was so uncomfortable.
After attending in 2013, Gwyneth Paltrow dubbed the event “so un-fun” to Australian radio hosts Kyle and Jackie O. “It sucked,” she said before telling USA Today that she would never return, however the Academy Award-winning actress ultimately showed up at both galas in 2017 and 2019.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login