Paulina Alexis’s Critics Choice Awards Look Was a Display of Indigenous Pride

If you’re not yet familiar with Paulina Alexis, you’re certainly about to be. The rising star portrays Willie Jack on FX’s Reservation Dogs, a breakout show from the past year that (finally) brings Indigenous humor to mainstream television. (It earned a best comedy series nomination at the Critics Choice Awards last night). Alexis is only destined for further Hollywood stardom—she recently starred in the films Ghostbusters: Afterlife and Beans, and is working on the much-anticipated season two of Res Dogs—but she says the ongoing series meant more to her than simply catching her first big acting break. “Growing up, I never had a show like this to watch,” Alexis tells Vogue. “Our people are so funny and talented, but it’s not seen on TV. Native people in the film industry have just been kept to the side for all these years, and now we are truthfully telling our own stories.”

From the beginning, Alexis knew she wanted to capture the spirit of the project with her red carpet attire. So she and her stylist, Britt Theodora, chose to champion her Indigenous heritage on the step and repeat by wearing Indigenous labels from head to toe. “There is no better feeling than representing my culture,” says Alexis. “I have always imagined myself wearing ribbon skirts and moccasins on the red carpet.” Theodora was instantly on board with the thoughtful vision. “When Paulina told me she wanted to dress in a traditional ribbon skirt, I really wanted this moment to not only celebrate her and her achievements, but also honor the roots of where she comes from,” says Theodora. 

Alexis wore a traditional ribbon top and skirt custom-made by Dabney Warren, an Indigenous artist the actor found on Instagram. Such attire has been gaining in popularity as of late, with high-profile figures like Deb Haaland sporting them in mainstream media. Traditionally worn by powwow dancers, the colors of the ribbons have deep significance to the wearer. “After I reached out to see if [Dabney] would be interested in doing custom for this, she sent tons of different ribbon variations and fabric,” Theodora says. “I love the bright red fabric that we chose; Paulina’s favorite colors are fire colors, so it felt really fitting.”