Presented by the Southwestern Association for Indian Arts, SWAIA Native Fashion Week showcased stunning 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 across Santa Fe. Fashionistas, creatives, and design aficionados from across North America descended upon the New Mexico capital May 2 – 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. Along with the entire SWAIA team, she is on a mission to uplift Native fashion amid an era of unprecedented Indigenous representation in entertainment, politics, and beyond.
Amber-Dawn Bear Robe (Siksika) (PHOTOGRAPHY: Courtesy of Studio Seven)
“The ultimate goal is to position Santa Fe as the preeminent place where the industry comes to experience, learn about, partner with, and invest in Indigenous fashion,” Bear Robe tells C&I. “This is really about making our own space that’s a unique, niche experience compared to other fashion weeks globally. It’s an invitation for designers, couturiers, and brands from New York to Paris to Berlin to come here.”
Driven by an insatiable demand for Native design, this year’s inaugural standalone affair naturally evolved out of 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 luminaries including Tantoo Cardinal, Wes Studi, Jessica Matten, and Kiowa Gordon as well as designers, models, and other notable guests.
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Educating the masses about Indigenous culture is paramount for SWAIA, so Bear Robe moderated a Friday symposium at the Museum of Indian Arts & Culture, inviting attendees to listen in on intimate conversations about the importance of Native fashion and the time-honored techniques behind the contemporary 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 premiere at Cannes Film Festival, while Peshawn Bread discussed her involvement on the recent Naiomi Glasses x Polo Ralph Lauren capsule collection.
But the main event kicked off on the weekend, including fashion shows, pop-up shops, and activation spaces. Models—including several of the aforementioned actors—rocked the runway in breathtaking looks from revered favorites and fresh talents alike. 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.
PHOTOGRAPHY: Courtesy of Tira Howard
Attendees—including Native notables like actor (and C&I cover star) Zahn McClarnon, Prey producer Jhane Myers, best-selling author Angeline Boulley, and more—adorned in their finery struck a pose on the C&I denim carpet and shared the inspiration behind their looks. They witnessed catwalk 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 out Patricia Michaels’ show (which naturally triggered a standing ovation). But above all, they experienced a historic event showcasing Indigenous creativity.
“Our mission at SWAIA is to bring these Native voices to the world, and this is an opportunity to reclaim our stories from a perspective that is both about individuality and inclusivity,” says SWAIA Executive Director Jamie Schulze (Northern Cheyenne/Sisseton Wahpeton). “As a mother, I love that my children’s children will have a better opportunity to understand the fabric of the fashion industry, because it is so empowering and goes directly against the oppression and suppression we’ve faced for so long. [Indigenous peoples] are not having a renaissance—we’ve always been here.”
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Watch Kate Nelson’s interview with the cast of Dark Winds.
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