New York City: The Sky-Eagle Collection made history at NYFW with the debut of its “Red Line Collection,” becoming the first Native and veteran-owned fashion house on the CFDA Fashion Calendar, showcasing cultural resilience and advocacy through fashion and dance performances.
Sky-Eagle Collection, an esteemed Indigenous fashion house founded by Osage designer and U.S. military veteran Dante Biss-Grayson, celebrated a significant milestone with the debut of its “Red Line Collection” at the Break Free NYFW event. This momentous showcase took place on February 8, 2025, at the historic Judson Memorial Church, situated directly across from Washington Square Park in New York City.
The debut of Sky-Eagle Collection is marked as a historic occasion, as it becomes the first Native and veteran-owned fashion house to be listed on the CFDA Fashion Calendar as a Charity Event. This recognition serves to honour resilience, cultural excellence, and advocacy within Indigenous communities.
The event featured Miss Universe Canada Ashley Callingbull as the headline model. Callingbull, who is the first Indigenous Miss Universe Canada, is not only an accomplished model but also a prominent actress and advocate for Indigenous rights. Known for her efforts to uplift Indigenous voices and promote cultural resilience, she showcased Sky-Eagle’s audacious and sophisticated designs on the runway.
In addition to the fashion showcase, the event included a traditional Osage buckskin dance performance by Madeline Goodfox and Gigi Sieke, highlighting the richness of Osage culture through dance and storytelling. The runway was also graced by an extraordinary lineup of Special Guest VIP Models, each bringing their own unique narratives and advocacy to the event. This illustrious group of models included Nikki Apostolou, Margaret Faliano, A’ngelee, Kate Nelson, Nathalie Wajashk-Restoule, Jonnea Trujillo, and Maddie Sanders.
The “Red Line Collection” represents a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit. It aims to embody the courage required to confront and transcend personal and cultural boundaries. Each piece in the collection is designed to reflect the narratives of triumph and healing, showcasing the beauty of breaking free and embracing unapologetic self-expression. The collection merges Indigenous storytelling with contemporary elegance, signalling a transformative era for Native fashion.
Dante Biss-Grayson, the designer behind Sky-Eagle Collection, emphasized the significance of the collection, stating, “This collection honors the power of resilience and community. Being featured on the CFDA Fashion Calendar as a Charity Event is an incredible milestone. It’s an honor to share this platform with Break Free, a cause that aligns deeply with the values of Native communities striving for healing and recovery.”
The launch of the “Red Line Collection” is scheduled for February 14, 2025, which is not only a significant date for the collection itself but also coincides with the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women National Day of Action and Awareness.
Additionally, Break Free NYFW serves as a unique platform, being the only CFDA-listed showcase dedicated to mental health and harm reduction advocacy. The event successfully intertwines high fashion with social impact, often featuring models who are in recovery or walking in remembrance of loved ones. The showcase frequently attracts city, state, and federal legislators, fostering dialogue and inspiring change within the community.
Source: Noah Wire Services
