Teenagers representing indigenous designers through their prom dresses go viral

The tweet has been liked more than 13,600 times

(Ruth H. Hopkins/Designs By Della)

Spring has sprung, which means prom season has officially begun.

A seminal moment for American teenagers, the annual high school dance is a tradition marked by celebratory and sartorial splendour, with 17 and 18-year-olds across the country fixing up and looking sharp to revel as their school years draw to a close.

Such is prom’s social reverence, that when writer Ruth H. Hopkins posted a series of snaps on Twitter of three high school girls wearing Native-printed gowns to their dance, it went viral, with commenters lauding the designs for celebrating the rich heritage of Native culture.

“Native prom dresses from this past weekend, in North Dakota, South Dakota and Oklahoma. From Designs by Della,” reads Hopkins’ tweet, which captions three images of young prom-attendees clad in the unique gowns.

Bella Aiukli Cornell, one of the girls pictured, donned a strapless scarlett dress with an embroidered bodice.

Speaking to Teen Vogue, Cornell explained why the colour red bears such significance in Native communities:

“Red dresses are important to the Native community because it helps bring awareness to the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women in Indian Country #MMIW,” she said.

She added that she was thrilled to wear this particular gown because it recognised the talent of Native designers and honoured the indigenous culture she identifies with:

"I am a Chahta girl and representation matters, especially when we're expressing ourselves through couture,” she added, referencing the Oklahoma-occupying Choctaw Nation, which is where she is from.

Designs by Della is an independent Montana-based label founded by Della Bighair-Stump, whose colourful beaded gowns champion Native culture.

"My creations come from me and the native designs represent where I come from," she told The Independent.

"I'm an enrolled member of the Crow tribe in Montana, USA. My grandparents and mother taught me sewing, beading and the different geometric designs & florals of our tribe. I always wanted to represent where I come from in my clothing but with a modern day twist."

All of her designs are one-of-a-kind pieces, and aside from sporadic collaborations with local jewellers, she produces everything herself.

After Hopkins' tweet, which has since been liked by more than 13,600 users, Bighar-Stump has been inundated with messages as commenters have lauded the designer for her bespoke creations.

"Wow those look absolutely amazing," wrote one person. "Thanks for sharing. So beautiful."

"It makes me cry," added another. "Seeing the youth embracing their culture like this is so beautiful. I’m so proud of them."