I stepped into the bone-chilling cold of the ocean this past weekend, and the cold traveled from the soles of my feet, ricocheting and ringing through parts of my body like an awakening symphony.
HEYOKA:
It is believed among the Lakota that if you had a dream or vision of birds you were destined to be a medicine man, but if you had a vision of the Wakíŋyaŋ Thunderbird, it was your destiny to become a Heyókȟa, or sacred clown. Like the Thunderbird, the Heyoka are both feared and held in reverence.
"When a vision comes from the thunder beings of the West, it comes with terror like a thunder storm; but when the storm of vision has passed, the world is greener and happier; for wherever the truth of vision comes upon the world, it is like a rain. The world, you see, is happier after the terror of the storm... you have noticed that truth comes into this world with two faces. One is sad with suffering, and the other laughs; but it is the same face, laughing or weeping... as lightning illuminates the dark, for it is the power of lightning that Heyokas have.
-Black Elk
Heyoka Leather is an old fashioned family business. At least as much so as you could ask for in the dysfunctional chaotic LA rock and roll world where it was born.
Started unofficially and quite by accident in Venice Beach CA in 2007 by Leslie Crow when she began making dream catchers for friends. As the demand grew, she branched out into hand beaded medicine bags and purses, using traditional skills learned from her grandmother. A year later she moved to the Rastafarian barrio of Mid-City Los Angeles, and brought in her longtime friends and partners in crime (cousins) Rachel Avraham and Angela Bruyere (of Mogg Jeans).
The three girls quickly decided to join forces and create a brand that would go down in rock and roll history. The premise was simple: custom handcrafted leather goods. Using carefully sourced wild elk hides and deer skins, with only the finest quality natural antler bone, brass and silver adornments, they created a precedent for modern day American heirlooms. Paying homage to and combining their various roots in traditional Native American ceremonies, decadent Hollywood nightlife mystique, and redneck outlaw biker culture, they subconsciously created a signature brand that is eccentric, free spirited and shockingly high-end. Heyoka Leather is an American brand born from the ashes of a dying breed, reminiscent of the great handmade leather empires of east west and north beach. Their mission statement is to leave no footprints behind their moccasins. Always and forever 100% handmade.
