Native Fashion Week Santa Fe Celebrates Indigenous Design
This article was originally published in Frybread Art, a partner publication that highlights Indigenous art, music, fashion, and culture.
Champion hoop dancer Sonwai LaRance opened Native Fashion Week Santa Fe in The Railyard Arts District in Santa Fe, NM on Saturday, May 10, 2025. Photo by Darren Thompson.
Santa Fe – Native Fashion Week Santa Fe (NFWSF) made its debut last month with sold-out crowds and widespread acclaim, showcasing more than thirty Indigenous fashion designers from the U.S., Canada, and beyond in a four-day celebration of Indigenous creativity and craftsmanship.
Amber Dawn Bear Robe opens Native Max Magazine’s Mini-Fashion Show at The Railyward Santa Fe on Sunday, May 11, 2025. Photo by Darren Thompson.
The inaugural event, curated by founder Amber Dawn Bear Robe, featured educational panels, popup markets, receptions, and runway shows that demonstrated the innovation and artistry of contemporary Indigenous fashion. Designers incorporated traditional materials including silk ribbons, appliqué, hides, beadwork, quillwork, and dentalium shells into modern designs spanning dresses, jackets, skateboards, and accessories.
“Native Fashion Week Santa Fe was a powerful reminder that Indigenous fashion is not just about style—it’s about presence, power, and reclaiming space,” Bear Robe told Fry Bread. “My biggest takeaway was witnessing how our designers, models, and community came together to show the world that we are not only here—we are leading, innovating, and we are the original design language of North America.”
NFWSF ran simultaneously with the Southwestern Association for Indian Arts‘ (SWAIA) Native Fashion Week, which Bear Robe originally created in May 2024. Together, the events transformed Santa Fe into a hub of Indigenous fashion and culture.
The designer lineup included established names like Dorothy Grant Studio, Lesley Hampton, and Apache Skateboards x Douglas Miles, alongside emerging talents such as Creator’s Kids Co., Ganvhida Designs, and SACRD THNDR. The diversity of participants reflected the breadth of contemporary Indigenous design.
“Santa Fe was absolutely bustling with fashionistas (both Native and non-Native), all eager to witness Indigenous designers unveil their latest collections,” said Kate Nelson, an award-winning Tlingit journalist. “There wasn’t a quiet moment all week, with concurrent runway shows, popup events, and spirited parties taking place across town.”
The event garnered significant media attention, with reviews published in Vogue Magazine, Forbes Magazine, and Fashionista, as well as Indigenous and local New Mexico publications. The Associated Press covered SWAIA’s concurrent event, while the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) published a review of NFWSF.
CFDA Chief Executive Officer Steven Kolb attended the event and participated in educational panels alongside Jamie Okuma, the first Indigenous fashion designer inducted into the CFDA. Kolb emphasized the importance of supporting Indigenous designers through mentorship and apprenticeship programs similar to those at luxury brands like Tiffany & Co.
“Jamie didn’t become a member because she’s Indigenous designer, she became a member because she’s a really good designer,” Kolb said during a panel discussion. “There has not been a lot done specific for Indigenous designers and there are a few programs the CFDA has in place that I think are good templates.”
Among the featured designers was Korina Emmerich, co-founder of Relative Arts NYC, who presented her EMME Studio’s SEEDS Collection. The slow fashion brand, founded in 2015, draws inspiration from land stewardship and sustainable design practices.
“The week was thoughtfully produced and we’re grateful to Amber-Dawn Bear Robe for her expertise and leadership,” Emmerich said. “This isn’t just a fashion show, it’s an important part of the movement.”
Veteran designer Dorothy Grant, who began etching Haida designs on clothing in the 1980s, spoke about the decolonizing aspect of the Indigenous fashion movement. “You all being here is decolonizing,” she told fellow panelists. “Fashion has given us a different platform that we didn’t have before.”
Deb Haaland
Former U.S. Interior Secretary walks for Bitterwater for Redhouse at Native Max Magazine’s Mini-Fashion Show on Sunday, May 11, 2025. Photo by Darren Thompson.
The event attracted notable attendees including actors Zahn McClarnon, Wes Studi, Eugene Brave Rock, Kiowa Gordon, and Jessica Matten, along with former U.S. Secretary of Interior Deb Haaland.
Looking ahead, Relative Arts NYC announced plans for the first-ever Indigenous New York Fashion Week, scheduled for September 10-15, 2025. The event will kick off at the Museum of Modern Art and feature 50 Indigenous designers, many based in New York.
“Indigenous New York Fashion Week was built from the need to create a safe space for Indigenous designers to be seen, celebrated and supported during iconic New York Fashion Week,” Emmerich explained.
The success of Native Fashion Week Santa Fe signals a growing recognition of Indigenous designers’ contributions to contemporary fashion while honoring traditional craftsmanship and cultural heritage.