Plains Soul Fashion
Upcycling is at the heart of all Plains Soul fashion. 95% of her fabric comes from thrift stores.
Growing up one of 11 kids, sewing and upcycling were just part of everyday life for Moran McCleary. “Growing up my mom upcycled a lot of our clothing… Today, I think it’s something we need to consider… because fast-fashion is a real issue for climate change.” To create her vibrant, upcycled looks, Moran McCleary says she is “constantly thrifting stuff and saving it for later.”
“I’m really interested in the connection between old and new, and ways of adding modern takes on old or traditional styles.”
For Moran McCleary, upcycling isn’t just a way of being environmentally conscious, it also helps express the philosophy behind her designs. She is very influenced by vintage looks in fashion as well as beadwork from the 1850s to 1920s. “I have been fortunate to go through a lot of different museum collections and see techniques and colors and also upcycled items.” Indigenous artists have been upcycling for centuries. As Moran McCleary scours thrift stores across the West for stylish fabrics, adding her own beadwork and flair, she carries on this practice while putting out looks that are completely unique and her own.
Plains Soul keeps community at the center of her work, partnering with Indigenous models, makeup artists, and hairstylists to bring her designs to life.
Plains Soul fashion has been seen in shows across the West.
First People’s Fashion Show, Montana Folk Festival July 2024 & July 2023, Butte, MT.
Big Sky Indigifest & Fashion Gala, May 2023, Billings, MT.
Uplifting Artists, Seattle Art Museum Potlatch Fund, October 2022, Seattle, WA.
Saturday Night Lights, 7 Bisons Cultural Consulting, April 2022, Billings, MT.
Big Sky Indigenous Women Fashion Gala, Indigenous Business Symposium, April 2022, Billings, MT.
Women's Appreciation Day, Native American Development Corporation, March 2021, Billings, MT.
American Indian Heritage Day, MSU-Bozeman American Indian Center, September 2020, Bozeman, MT.
Honor Our Legacy Fashion Show, Northern Winz Casino & Chippewa Cree Tribe, September 2020, Virtual.