Here in their own words, the Indigenous creators describe their designs, their inspirations, and their aspirations for the year ahead.
For our exclusive cover story shoot, we tapped four Native American fashion and jewelry designers to dress the stars of the AMC crime thriller Dark Winds, which films just outside Santa Fe at the Indigenous-owned Camel Rock Studios. It seemed only fitting to feature a quartet of Southwest-based creatives, whose work reflects not only their unique worldviews but also the stunning natural landscape that surrounds them.
Loren Aragon
Towering Stone
ACOMA PUEBLO FASHION DESIGNER
PHOTOGRAPHY: Tira Howard
In one sentence, how would you describe your designs?
My designs are a representation of the ancestral pottery art and culture of my Acoma Pueblo heritage.
From where do you draw inspiration?
I like to say that my designs are “culturally fueled”—first and foremost by my Acoma Pueblo culture, namely our renowned pottery art and our shareable stories and beliefs. In addition to my cultural inspiration, creativity is drawn from the Southwestern scenery, rock music, science fiction, and my background in engineering.
How does your Indigeneity influence your work?
My Indigeneity has a great influence on my work. It creates an identity for my brand and brings an awareness to our thriving existence as Indigenous people of the Southwest. Much like our pottery, my work in fashion carries a meaning behind it and tells a story.
Where do you hope Native fashion goes from here?
It’s amazing to see the Native fashion scene grow and flourish beyond what it was just a few short years ago. I hope it inspires a new generation of designers that can continue to share our stories and speak to our narratives. Most importantly, I hope it shows the greater world that we are very much capable of representing ourselves on any and all runways.
What exciting projects do you have on the horizon?
I recently worked on a first-of-its-kind Native fashion film entitled Made for Her, which was created in collaboration with Mesa Mt. Films. It’s a fictional short story that highlights my fashion designs on the characters. The film is expected to debut early this year and will be submitted to a number of film festivals.
PHOTOGRAPHY: Tira Howard
Adrian Standing-Elk Pinnecoose
ASEP Designs
NAVAJO/SOUTHERN UTE JEWELRY DESIGNER
PHOTOGRAPHY: Courtesy ASEP Designs
In one sentence, how would you describe your designs?
An architectural romance that blends tradition and futurism as one.
From where do you draw inspiration?
The main design language is inspired by the geometry of traditional Navajo textiles blended with different architectural elements, including gothic, renaissance, and art deco. My goal is to engage the mind, to make one think of the process and how it all comes together.
How does your Indigeneity influence your work?
All of my life experiences influence my work. Growing up in Santa Fe, I was surrounded by art, and my late mother instilled in me at a young age that I could do anything I set my mind to. It has taken my entire life to develop my point of view as an artist; my work is constantly evolving and branching off into different mediums.
Where do you hope Native fashion goes from here?
I really hope to see more representation highlighted within the industry. There are so many brilliant individuals in the Indigenous community who need their chance to shine, and there’s room for everyone who has the motivation to make an impact for all. We have to amplify and inspire each other and continue to make a difference for the next generation.
What exciting projects do you have on the horizon?
I have a lot of exciting projects in the works that I can’t wait to share. I’m constantly challenging myself and finding new techniques I want to explore. I’m super excited to debut my fashion collection at Native Fashion Week in May. I also have a few collaborations in the works, and I’m hoping to go back to school to get my PhD in interdisciplinary design and media.
PHOTOGRAPHY: Courtesy ASEP Designs
Rhiannon Griego
TOHONO O’ODHAM/MEXICAN/SPANISH TEXTILE ARTIST
PHOTOGRAPHY: Peter Crosby
In one sentence, how would you describe your designs?
My work is a mirage of memory and landscapes from time spent in environments I love.
From where do you draw inspiration?
Visually, I often draw color palettes from New Mexico and Arizona landscapes. Structurally, I draw inspiration from O’odham baskets and the symbology and material usage found within them.
How does your Indigeneity influence your work?
My approach to incorporating cultural symbology is subtle, and I like it that way as it’s more of a conversation starter. The threads of who I am as an O’odham woman become ever more present in my intentional usage of materials that are indigenous to home.
Where do you hope Native fashion goes from here?
I hope it provides a broader scope for all Indigenous peoples from around the globe to share their stories of where they come from in a meaningful way. I hope it’s celebrated in a non-exploitative capacity that brings both tradition and ingenuity while recognizing all nations in their own way so everyone’s presence is known and represented.
What exciting projects do you have on the horizon?
I’m thrilled to begin weaving the collection for my first Indian Market runway show. The collection will debut Saturday night at the Indigenous Futures 4Ever show hosted by 4Kinship. My plan is to spend time in Mexico this spring researching plant dyes and materials that I will use to dye yucca I source from the southern Arizona desert. I will also be showcasing my first solo show of fine artwork in July with MoMo gallery; this is a new series I cannot wait to exhibit.
Cody Sanderson
NAVAJO JEWELRY DESIGNER
PHOTOGRAPHY: Brandon Sanderson
In one sentence, how would you describe your designs?
My designs are fun and comfortable, with no excuses.
From where do you draw inspiration?
I used to make some pretty cool items from components of my kid’s toys, but for the past decade or so, I’ve been making fivepoint star jewelry. My kid’s mother is from the Pueblo of Ohkay Owingeh and her last name is Agoyo, which means ‘star’ in her language. The five-point star is recognized not just in Texas, but globally. As a matter of fact, I don’t sell my jewelry anywhere in Texas—just New York City, Los Angeles, and Santa Fe.
How does your Indigeneity influence your work?
I have created the usual Native designs, but I like to think my work is a bit edgier and more rock ‘n’ roll.
Where do you hope Native fashion goes from here?
It has the ability to reach across many borders and boundaries. The biggest issue that will transpire is that our Indigenous designs will be compromised by unscrupulous designers and corporations that likely won’t provide any recognition or compensation to the original designers or tribes. I have fallen victim to these practices, and it definitely hindered my bottom line substantially.
What exciting projects do you have on the horizon?
I want to get out there and be shameless in promoting how In digenous art can compete with any other art in the world—the world just doesn’t know it yet. I hope to inspire Native kids to understand that your art can take you anywhere the sun shines and not to be afraid to see what’s on the other side of the mountains, deserts, or oceans. I don’t ever want my bucket list to be satisfied; I want to keep adding to it.
PHOTOGRAPHY: Brandon Sanderson
VIDEOGRAPHY: Mountain Mover Media/Kaela Waldstein
Read the April 2025 cover story here.
PHOTOGRAPHY: (Cover image) Cara Romero
