SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Models strutted down the runway in elaborate outfits blending traditional Native American designs with modern flair as part of the eighth annual Native Nations Fashion Night at the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture in Santa Fe, New Mexico..
The event showcased the work of 14 Native American designers from across the United States and Canada and highlighted the diversity and creativity of Indigenous fashion..
Adrienne Keene, a Cherokee multimedia artist and writer, said the night was about more than just fashion..
“It’s about reclaiming our stories, our cultures, our traditions, and our art forms,” Keene said. “It’s about showing the world that we are still here, we are still creating, and we are still thriving.”.
One of the designers featured in the show was Bethany Yellowtail, a Northern Cheyenne artist and designer who is known for her contemporary takes on traditional Native American clothing. Yellowtail’s designs often incorporate bold colors and patterns, and she uses materials such as leather, fur, and beads..
Yellowtail said she believes that fashion can be a powerful tool for cultural expression..
“Fashion is a way for us to tell our stories and to share our culture with the world,” Yellowtail said. “It’s a way for us to show our pride in who we are.”.
Another designer featured in the show was Loren Aragon, a Santa Clara Pueblo artist who is known for his work with traditional Pueblo textiles. Aragon’s designs often feature geometric patterns and bright colors, and he uses materials such as wool, cotton, and silk..
Aragon said he believes that it is important for Native American designers to be able to share their work with the world..
“It’s important for us to be able to show the world that we are not just a part of the past,” Aragon said. “We are still here, we are still creating, and we are still relevant.”.
The Native Nations Fashion Night is one of the many events that the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture hosts throughout the year to celebrate Native American art and culture. The museum is home to a collection of more than 80,000 Native American objects, and it offers a variety of educational programs and exhibitions..
The Native Nations Fashion Night is a unique opportunity to see the work of some of the most talented Native American designers in the world. The event is a celebration of Native American culture and a showcase of the diversity and creativity of Indigenous fashion..
