SWAIA Native Fashion Week, the premier celebration of Indigenous design excellence, returns to Santa Fe, New Mexico, from May 7 – 11, 2025.
This extraordinary cultural event, now in its second year, represents a groundbreaking collaboration with Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week (VIFW), showcasing the remarkable creativity and cultural significance of Indigenous fashion designers from across North America.
Don’t Miss This Highly-Anticipated Event
The must-see SWAIA Indigenous Fashion Show filled the large, Santa Fe Community Convention Center to capacity in its inaugural year. Fashion enthusiasts and cultural connoisseurs are strongly encouraged to get tickets early to witness this transformative celebration of Indigenous creativity and craftsmanship.
The Evolution of Indigenous Fashion Excellence
Launched in 2024, SWAIA Indigenous Fashion Week (SNFW) builds upon the tremendous success of the SWAIA Native Fashion Show, which has been captivating audiences at the renowned Santa Fe Indian Market since 2014. This dedicated week-long celebration elevates Indigenous design innovation while amplifying authentic Indigenous representation within the global fashion landscape.
SWAIA’s visionary mission is to establish Santa Fe, New Mexico, as the undisputed Indigenous fashion capital of the United States.
Through showcasing exceptional artistic expression, facilitating vital networking opportunities between designers and industry professionals, and elevating Indigenous voices, SWAIA Indigenous Fashion Week is actively reshaping the future of contemporary Native fashion.
For comprehensive event information and updates, visit SWAIA.org.
Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week: A Pioneering Partner
Since its groundbreaking inception in 2017, Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week (VIFW) has emerged as Canada’s preeminent Indigenous fashion event. Its inaugural showcase at the prestigious Queen Elizabeth Theatre featured an impressive 40 designers cementing VIFW’s position as a formidable global force in Indigenous fashion innovation.
Discover more about this pioneering initiative at VIFW.ca.
Immersive Five-Day Events Schedule
Experience an inspiring celebration of Indigenous fashion creativity across five transformative days:
- Wednesday, May 7, 2025: Exclusive VIP/Donor/Member Preview (invitation only)
- Thursday, May 8, 2025: Industry Day featuring insightful panel discussions and designer trunk shows throughout Downtown Santa Fe, culminating in a glamorous Media & VIP Launch Party
- Friday, May 9, 2025: SWAIA Native Fashion Show (6 – 7 p.m.) followed by Cocktail Shopping Hour (7 – 8 p.m.) at the Santa Fe Community Convention Center
- Saturday, May 10, 2025: SWAIA Native Fashion Shows at the Santa Fe Community Convention Center (2 – 3 p.m. & 5 – 6 p.m.)
- Sunday, May 11, 2025: SWAIA Native Fashion Shows at the Santa Fe Community Convention Center (2 – 3 p.m. & 5 – 6 p.m.)
Explore the complete 2025 SWAIA Native Fashion Week schedule and get your tickets now before they sell out.
Exceptional Indigenous Design Talent
Over 20 visionary Indigenous designers from the United States and Canada will showcase their innovative collections at Native Fashion Week 2025:
- April Allen (Inuit), Stitched by April
Styles by Indigenous designer Patricia Michaels will be part of Native Fashion Week in May. Model: Tantoo Cardinal. Photo by Tira Howard. - Loren Aragon (Acoma Pueblo), Towering House
- Jeremy Donavan Arviso (Diné, Hopi, Akimel O’odham, and Tohono O’odham), RVSO78
- Kaylyn Baker (Northern Tutchone), Kaylyn Baker Designs
- Pam Baker (Squamish and Kwakwaka’wakw), TOC Legends
- Rebecca Baker-Grenier (kwakwaka’wakw and Squamish)
- Peshawn Bread (Comanche/Kiowa/Cherokee), House of Sutai
- Vina Brown (Nuučaan̓uɫ and Haíłzaqv), Copper Canoe Woman
- Cheryl Fennell (Metis), Snowfly
- Lauren Good Day (Mandan/Hidatsa/Arikara)
- Lesley Hampton (Temagami First Nation)
- Alex Manitopyes (Muskowekwan), Sacrdthndr
- Livia Manywounds (Tsuu T’ina Nation/Dene), Dancing Storm Designs
- Tishna Marlowe (Ethen Dene), Dene Couture
- Robyn McLeod (Métis/Dene)
- Patricia Michaels (Taos Pueblo), PM Waterlily
- Sage Mountainflower (Ohkay Owingeh/Taos Pueblo/Diné), Sage Mountain Flower
- Randi Nelson (St’uxwtéws First Nation), Randi Nelson Designs
- Yolonda Skelton (Gitxsan), SugIit Lukxs Designs
- Kayla Smith (Standing Rock Sioux Tribe), K Lookinghorse
- Adrian Stevens & Sean Snyder (Sean Snyder: Navajo Nation/descendant of the Southern Ute Tribe, Adrian Stevens: Northern Ute/Shoshone-Bannock/San Carlos Apache), Stevens & Snyder
- Alyssia Sutherland (Ojibwe), Ally’s Ribbons
- Tierra Alysia Tapuro (Kashia Pomo/Filipino), VIVIDUS by Tierra Alysia
- Wabanoonkwe (Ojibwe) x Jennifer Younger (Tlingit)
Jamie Schulze, SWAIA’s executive director, expressed enthusiasm for the 2025 event by saying, “Congratulations to all the participating designers. Witnessing your artistic expression and creative brilliance is truly transformative. We look forward to welcoming you to Santa Fe this May for a historic international collaboration that celebrates authentic Indigenous fashion innovation.”
Attend SWAIA Native Fashion Week: A Cultural Celebration
The centerpiece of SWAIA Native Fashion Week is its series of four spectacular runway shows. Indigenous models will showcase the visionary creations of both renowned and emerging Native designers.
These runway presentations represent a powerful assertion of Indigenous creative ownership, featuring contemporary designs that honor ancestral traditions while boldly reimagining them for today’s fashion landscape.
Attend SWAIA Native Fashion Week
SWAIA Native Fashion Week, May 7 – 11, 2025, in Santa Fe is a must-visit event for those who are interested in exciting and innovative fashion design. Get your tickets before they sell out.
Native Fashion Week left you wanting more? Get ready for the Santa Fe Indian Market’s fashion events, August 16 – 17, 2025! It’s your next chance to witness the cutting edge of Indigenous style. Don’t miss out!
This article was posted by Jesse Williams
