I Didn’t Know I Was Indigenous Until I Was 17: Vegas Reclaims His Identity Through Style | Closets

In this new episode of Closets, Vegas shares his transformative journey of discovering his indigenous roots at age 17 and how through style and creating his own clothing brand, he found strength in reclaiming indigenous resistance, rebellion, and truth. Vegas also speaks about his experiences with toxic masculinity, Veganism, and sobriety, and how they have shaped him into the person he is today.

About StyleLikeU
If you agree that facades separate us and being radically honest brings us together, please take a moment to subscribe to our channel and share this video with any friends or family who could benefit from feeling less alone in their journeys with mental health. Don’t forget to click the bell so you’re aware of every time we upload a new episode.

Follow Vegas' Brand @primerrebeldedeamerica

FOLLOW STYLELIKEU:

Follow @stylelikeu on Instagram for more details and announcements on how you can participate and share in the healing power of vulnerability, truth-sharing, and the unshakable bravery to be yourself.

#StyleLikeU #closets #indigenous

[jordanpalermo]

I went through a similar experience learning I was Mexican. Being Mexican, we’re told to answer “white” or “Hispanic, ” when in reality we’re not from Europe or Spain, but from the americas themselves. The race question isn’t even asked correctly in today’s society.

[belindam]

For a man so young, Vegas is incredibly eloquent and incisive. His designs are fantastic- its a rare thing to see authenticity like this in the world of fashion. His aesthetic is reminiscent somehow of Vivienne Westwood, and I mean that in the best possible way. I love that he draws on his indigenous ancestry in his work. Impressive!

[cankellza]

He and his ancestors have been through so much. May his ancestors rejoice at his reclamation!

[beesees]

I always felt weird about this — I’m a 1/3 indigenous, 1/3 African, and 1/3 European. Like many Latinos. It feels wrong to celebrate my entire heritage as 1/3 of it enslaved and murdered the other 2/3s. But you can’t undo what I am. The culture I relate to is a mix of all 3. I feel disingenuous going to a powwow and stating, “I’m indigenous!” and have two braids in my hair. Or go to Black Lives Matter rally and call them my people with my curls combed out into a fro. Nor do I feel white at all. But I have a lot of love for my heritage and would like to learn more as I have very close Native American and African roots. So how do you embrace those parts without it coming across as false? Not sure yet, but I love what he’s doing. Especially like most Latinos do not like to call themselves black or Indian but love to detail their nearest white ancestry 🧐

[bluegypsy]

😔I'm sad when I think that some Ecuadorans actually feel embarrassed/ashamed of their indigenous roots, when I lived in Ecuador my friend was upset when I told her she and her family had beautiful indigenous features...she was genuinely angry and repulsed and it shocked me💔

[christopherdamien]

Brilliant energy from a visionary youth celebrating the fierce grace of living in alignment with himself and his values on a path of creative healing. Fashion as the language of authentic history woven onto the body. Loved this. Thank you.

[anncat]

This person is so beautiful, I feel a heart connection with him, and so proud he has found and reclaimed his heritage and is a part of a rebalancing from past errors ~ when he said "...and people who love like me" at the end, I thought 'I hope all of us do, very very soon'.

[helenamistry]

Love this! I'm Canadian and my parents were born in east Africa. They grew up in the UK before immigrating to Canada where I was born. We are of Indian decent . Shame and self hate are a normal part of our culture. It's a history of colonization. Many parallels to his experience.

[ZanzibarKumquat]

This dude is so cool, I hope to embody even a fraction of his energy as I move through this world. Many blessings, thank you for sharing.

[Metztli]

I hope a lot more “Latinos” wake up! I’ve also been going through a spiritual awakening. Especially, now that my father passed away. He was dark skin and Indigenous. I’ve been trying to get in touch with my roots but it’s hard when you live in the states.

[lovepilie]

What a thoughtfull, mindfull, fashionable young man. I wish him the best <3

[fidelgarcia]

I've always identified as an indigenous person. My grandmother was full blooded Raramuri (Tarahumara). She encouraged all her children to embrace their indigenous identity. My aunt Connie was Ojibwe and she would take my brother and I to Pow Wows all the time when we were growing up. I literally have never identified as "Latino" or "Hispanic."

[whatsonhermindblog]

Honestly, this is powerful. Kudos to Vegas and StyleLikeU for starting these kinds of conversations. ....

[donnakawana]

The ancestors are proud of you! I'm proud of you! You are indigenous... Your who you are! An I luv who you are!!

[Tzienzibarinzi]

Congrats and my deepest respect to Vegas your his identity's recognition journey. We peruvians have started to see it kinda clearer: were Andean people. Latin relates to languague and means anyone speaking latin descendent idiom. So its nothing. While hispanic refers to the Spanish. We'll love to see Vegas develop as designer!

[Yooperskepticz]

Vegas is so intelligent, and I like his style. Hooray for this younger generation that sees things through different lenses, and more power to you, Vegas!

[sharityjoy]

The story of Vegas is something that rlly needed to be told. Sharing this helped him on his journey of understanding how deep his true roots and meaning of existence actually are and by solving his own, he educate and inspire others to find their own. I honor his unique work and thank him dearly for all of this. Growing up as an indigenous women made me forget I was one in the first place. At a certain age I realized that indigenous people are one of the most ignored raced in the world, with nobody rlly talking about them not even during history class (I'm born and raised in Europe) and not even have contact with my family who are more likely to tell me about about my identity and culture. People around me always asked me if I'm from Cabo Verde or a mix of dutch and surinamese. Suriname is a multicultural country since a couple of centuries ago but before that it was populated by indigenous nations from South America. I'm mixed with the indigenous people from Suriname (The Caraib & Arawak), the enslaved people from Suriname (Afrika) and the indigenous people from Brazil. I'm sending my prayer to anyone who reading this no matter where you at on your journey I wish you guidance and peace <3

[ThePattiw]

Seeing a younger person with such wisdom and speaking the truth is very hopeful. Great video!

[SAMoralesTP]

This made me cryyy💛 this story was documented so well, I see myself reflected in multiple parts of it. KEEP SPREADING YOUR MESSAGE, the KNOWLEDGE and take care of yourself please🙏

[marypaquet]

Vegas is such a talented and thoughtful person. I hope he takes his messages to other platforms like schools etc.