National Museum of the American Indian
Making a Statement
February 28, 2025 – March 2026
Making a Statement is a special installation of two gowns worn by Oscar-nominated actor Lily Gladstone (Siksikaitsitapi [Blackfeet]/Nimiipuu [Nez Perce]). Both gowns were a custom collaboration designed by Gucci and Indigenous artist Joe Big Mountain (Mohawk/Cree/Comanche) of Ironhorse Quillwork. The gowns were worn by Gladstone the evening of March 10, 2024, to the 96th Academy Awards and the Vanity Fair Oscars party. Gladstone was the first Native American nominated for best actress for her work in the film Killers of the Flower Moon.
One gown, worn by Gladstone to the Oscars ceremony, is midnight-blue velvet with a porcupine-quill neckline and a matching cape with 216 hand-quilled and beaded petals. The second gown was worn to the Vanity Fair Oscars party that same evening. It is a black corseted dress with chevron-patterned beaded fringe and porcupine-quill neckline. The intricate design features 24 carat gold-plated beads, glass beads, and brass sequins.
The porcupine quillwork featured on both gowns is an intricate Native art form that is unique to North America. Quilling techniques are passed down within families and communities. The historic collaboration protected this Indigenous knowledge, and the quillwork was done exclusively by Big Mountain and his team of Native artists.
Gladstone wore this show-stopping gown during the 96th Academy Awards ceremony. The cape features 216 hand-quilled and beaded petals. Of the design, Gladstone lauded, “I can literally feel the love poured into each quill and bead—the dress is alive with it.”
Midnight-blue velvet gown with porcupine-quill neckline and cape with quilled floral details, 2024. Velvet cloth, dyed and natural porcupine quills, sterling silver and silver-plated beads, smoked deerhide. Courtesy of Gucci, Joe Big Mountain of Ironhorse Quillwork, and Lily Gladstone. Image: Mike Coppola/Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images
