“Blinging just like us”: Beading and Legacy in New Orleans

Abstract: This interview with fashion designer and Mardi Gras Indian Marwan Pleasant, conducted by Natalie Chanin and Olivia Terenzio of Project Threadways, describes Pleasant’s experience with textiles. Pleasant grew up masking as a Mardi Gras Indian in the Golden Eagles tribe in New Orleans, Louisiana. He learned to bead and embroider from his grandfather, Big Chief Monk Boudreaux, creating elaborate suits for Mardi Gras each year. He has used those skills to create his own successful fashion brand, Marlence. In the conversation, Pleasant discussed his family tradition of beading and sewing, the role and perception of Mardi Gras Indians in his New Orleans community, and the incredible amount of creativity, work, and detail that goes into a suit. His skills allowed him to launch a career as a fashion designer and educator, and he sold one hundred embellished hats to fund six months in Paris to learn more techniques.