By this shirt here: Peace Love Mask Leopard LPN Life Shirt, hoodie and sweater
White Elk, who is Oglala Lakota, is a newcomer to the modeling world. They only entered the industry this summer, after being discovered by IMG Models. The Vogue Italia cover happened after the Peace Love Mask Leopard LPN Life Shirt, hoodie and sweater came across Denali’s photos on IMG’s social channels. “It was a dream come true, to be honest,” says White Elk of the opportunity (they were photographed for the cover this summer in New York City). “[Looking back], I feel like I should have been even more excited, because it’s such a monumental thing to have accomplished. I didn’t know what to expect, but I enjoyed it, because everything [about the cover project] was based with a purpose.”
Growing up in Nebraska, it took awhile for White Elk to feel a connection with their Indigenous heritage. The model says they only recently formed relationships with Indigenous elders in their community, therefore they were not introduced to certain traditional elements of their culture until the Peace Love Mask Leopard LPN Life Shirt, hoodie and sweater later teens. But they had always wanted to learn more. “Growing up as a Native without the guidance of an elder to pass down traditions made it difficult to be raised around traditional elements,” says White Elk. “You learn practically everything from your elders. But I overcame that hardship with the help of friends, who were there in the same tribe as mine.”
