The Santa Fe New Mexican from Santa Fe, New Mexico • 53

company Patta LT 1987 LT represent the mittals of her maiden name Lauren Thomas She also uses LT to honor her mother Lillian Thomas Patta company label reads Dancing Rabbit representing her heritage according to legend the dancing rabbit brought the Choctaws to Oklahoma And she continues to use the rabbit symbol as a source of good luck the future I am going to continue to do a form of high-fashion clothing with a strong Native she said is who I am That is where I come from where you was an easy transition for me This was something that came naturally This was an inborn talent That is the wonderful thing about education It guides )ou in the direction you are going But it would be another few years before Joest became senous about making clothing She managed a clothing store for 10 years until the small chain closed A friend suggested Joest sell jewelry said already sold all my Joest joked grandma did beadwork and she taught me I did these massive necklaces that went from your neck to your waist Joest continues to make jewelry but her first love is sewing So she hit the market trail going from Denver to the Gallup Intertribal Ceremonial It was in Gallup that another voice of encouragement came to lead her to designing Her stepfather said mother would be turning over in her grave if she knew you living up to your full potential So Joest started her own Some of the (design) ideas come from legends some are from stories that people have told me I limit my designs just to Choctaw (stories) I love all stories Patta Joest PASAT1EMPO-21 i.