Santa Fe, New Mexico, is currently hosting the Indigenous Fashion Week from May 7 to May 11, 2025, a vibrant event that brings together over 30 Indigenous designers from across North America. This four-day celebration showcases a dynamic blend of traditional craftsmanship and contemporary design, highlighting the rich cultural heritage and innovative spirit of Indigenous fashion.

Organized by the Southwestern Association for Indian Arts (SWAIA) in collaboration with Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week (VIFW), the event features runway shows, panel discussions, industry networking events, pop-up shops, and activation spaces. Designers are presenting collections that incorporate materials such as silk, hides, and traditional beadwork, seamlessly combined with modern elements like digital designs and urban Native streetwear. Notable participants include Patricia Michaels, Sage Mountainflower, Randi Nelson, April Allen, and Jeremy Arviso, each bringing unique perspectives that honor their heritage while pushing the boundaries of contemporary fashion.

SWAIA Native Fashion Week (SNFW) is an extension of the popular SWAIA Native Fashion Show, which has been a highlight of the Santa Fe Indian Market since 2014. The inaugural SNFW took place in May 2024, establishing Santa Fe as a significant hub for Indigenous fashion in the United States. The collaboration with VIFW, which began in 2021, aims to strengthen the international impact and visibility of Indigenous fashion design.

Patricia Michaels, a designer from Taos Pueblo, is renowned for her hand-painted silks and contemporary designs. She gained national recognition as a finalist on Season 11 of "Project Runway" and has showcased her work internationally. Michaels emphasizes the storytelling aspect of Native fashion, stating, "Native fashion, it's telling a story about our understanding of who we are individually and then within our communities."

Sage Mountainflower, hailing from Ohkay Owingeh, Taos Pueblo, and Diné heritage, presents her "Taandi" collection, inspired by spring. Her designs incorporate satin and chiffon fabrics with embroidery patterns reflecting her personal and family heritage. Mountainflower notes, "I pay attention to trends, but a lot of it's just what I like. This year it's actually just looking at springtime and how it's evolving... It's going to be a colorful collection."

Randi Nelson, a member of the St’uxwtéws First Nation from Whitehorse in the Canadian Yukon, showcases work featuring fur and traditionally cured hides, primarily elk and caribou, tanned by hand using inherited techniques. Nelson highlights the diversity within Indigenous fashion, stating, "We're all so different. There's not one pan-Indigenous theme or pan-Indigenous look. We're all taking from our ... ."

April Allen, an Inuk ... delves into themes of nature ..., including access to clean drinking water. Her collection includes a mesh dress of blue water ..., accompanied by vocal music from musician and runway model Be ... .

Jeremy Donavan Arviso, based in Phoenix and of Diné, Hopi, ... ’odham, and Tohono O’odham heritage, brings a street-smart aesthetic to the runway, presenting modern designs rooted in personal and cultural identity. Arviso describes his approach to fashion as resembling music sampling by early rap musicians, drawing on themes from major fashion brands ...

The event includes runway shows featuring collections from over 30 Indigenous designers, blending traditional materials like silk, hides, and beadwork with contemporary elements such as digital designs and urban Native streetwear. Panel discussions address topics like the impact of tariffs on fashion supplies and the tension between fast fashion and Indigenous ideals. Industry networking events provide opportunities for designers, buyers, stylists, editors, and industry leaders to connect and collaborate. Pop-up shops and activation spaces offer attendees the chance to purchase designs directly from the runway and engage with the designers.

A notable appearance includes former U.S. Interior Secretary ... who is set to appear as a runway model, adorned with clothing from Patricia Michaels and jewelry by Zuni ...

The event underscores Indigenous artistic expression, blending tradition with innovation to tell powerful stories through fashion. It highlights the growing global reach of Indigenous fashion and emphasizes the importance of cultural identity in contemporary design. The collaboration between SWAIA and VIFW fosters a cross-border exchange of ideas, traditions, and artistry, promoting a more inclusive and sustainable future for Native designers, models, and creatives.

SWAIA Native Fashion Week in Santa Fe stands as a testament to the resilience and creativity of Indigenous designers, playing a crucial role in preserving cultural heritage while embracing modernity. The event encourages broader recognition and support of Indigenous contributions to the fashion industry.