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Native design shines during the first-ever American Native Fashion Week

Vaseline

SWAIA Native Fashion Week, presented by the Southwestern Association for Indian Arts, showcased beautiful native style from across North America.

The energy, excitement and enthusiasm for SWAIA Native Fashion Week – the first of its kind in the United States – was palpable in Santa Fe. Fashionistas, creatives and design enthusiasts from across North America descended on New Mexico’s capital from May 2 to 5 for a stylish celebration that officially cemented the Southwest city as the epicenter for indigenous design.

That was precisely the intention behind the four-day extravaganza, explains fashion curator and historian Amber-Dawn Bear Robe (Siksika) of the Southwestern Association for Indian Arts, the nonprofit organization behind the famed Indian Market. Together with the entire SWAIA team, she is on a mission to elevate Indigenous fashion in an era of unprecedented Indigenous representation in entertainment, politics and beyond.

PHOTOGRAPHY: Courtesy of Studio Seven

“The ultimate goal is to position Santa Fe as the place where the industry can experience, learn, collaborate and invest in indigenous fashion,” Bear Robe tells C&I. “This is really about creating our own space that is a unique, niche experience compared to other fashion weeks worldwide. It is an invitation for designers, couturiers and brands from New York to Paris and Berlin to come here.”

Driven by an insatiable demand for Native design, this year’s first standalone business evolved naturally from the fan-favorite Indian Market fashion show, which Bear Robe has produced for the past decade. It kicked off with a stylish VIP soiree at the New Mexico Governor’s Mansion, attended by native celebrities including Tantoo Cardinal, Wes Studi, Jessica Matten and Kiowa Gordon, as well as designers, models and other notable guests.

Educating the masses about indigenous culture is of utmost importance to SWAIA, so Bear Robe moderated a Friday symposium at the Museum of Indian Arts & Culture, inviting attendees to listen to intimate conversations about the importance of indigenous fashion and the ancient techniques behind contemporary fashion. creations. During panel discussions, tantoo cardinal and designer patricia michaels recalled the inspiration behind the actress’s stunning dress for the Killers of the Flower Moon premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, while Peshawn Bread discussed her involvement in the recent Naiomi Glasses x Polo Ralph Lauren capsule collection.

But the main event started this weekend, with fashion shows, pop-up shops and activation spaces. Models – including some of the aforementioned actors – took to the catwalk with breathtaking looks from both respected favorites and new talents. Featured designers included Orlando Dugi, Himikalas Pamela Baker, Patricia Michaels, Lesley Hampton, Randy Barton, House of Sutai by Peshawn Bread, Towering Stone by Loren Aragon, Vividus by Tierra Alysia, Ayimach Horizons by Jason Baerg, Heather Bouchier x Indi City , Victoria’s Arctic Fashion, Penny Singer, Qaulluq, Chizhii, Dehmin Cleland, Helen Oro and Maria Hupfield.

Jessica Matten in Lesley Hampton

Kiowa Gordon in Lesley Hampton

Dakota beavers in Maria Hupfield

Towering stone of Loren Aragon

Jessica Matten in TOC Legends by Himikalas

Heather Bouchier x Indi City

Helen Oro Designs

Vividus by Tierra Alysia

Peshawn bread

Vividus by Tierra Alysia

Tantoo Cardinal and Patricia Michaels celebrate their catwalk show.

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PHOTOGRAPHY: Courtesy of Tira Howard

Participants, including native notables such as actor (and C&I cover star) Zahn McClarnon, Prey producer Jhane Myers, bestselling author Angeline Boulley and more – decked out in their finery posed on the C&I denim carpet and shared the inspiration behind their looks. They witnessed runway highlights including a roller skating sensation during House of Sutai’s disco-themed show, synchronized performance art during Randy Barton’s show, and Tantoo Cardinal closing Patricia Michaels’ show (which, of course, drew a standing ovation). But above all, they experienced a historic event that showcased indigenous creativity.

“Our mission at SWAIA is to bring these Indigenous voices to the world, and this is an opportunity to reclaim our stories from a perspective that is as much about individuality as it is about inclusivity,” said Jamie Schulze, Executive Director of SWAIA (Northern Cheyenne/Sisseton Wahpeton). “As a mother, I love that my children’s children have a better opportunity to understand the structure of the fashion industry because it is so empowering and goes directly against the oppression and oppression we have faced for so long . (Indigenous people) are not having a renaissance – we have always been here.”

See more from C&I on SWAIA Native Fashion Week on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and TikTok.

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