Sky-Eagle Collection showcased its latest designs at New York Fashion Week, emphasizing Indigenous representation and cultural themes through poignant performances and traditional attire.
Sky-Eagle Collection showcased its latest designs at New York Fashion Week on February 8, marking the brand’s second appearance at this prestigious event. The show, titled Break Free, took place in an historic church near Washington Park, setting a classic New York backdrop for the evening’s presentations.
Among notable highlights was a poignant poem titled “Unforgotten,” recited by Dante Biss-Grayson, which centered on the issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women. His sister, Osage artist Addie Roanhorse, made a significant appearance during the performance, underscoring the importance of the evening’s themes.
The runway featured Osage models Gigi Sieke and Madeline Gray Goodfox, who donned traditional attire—a wedding coat and a buckskin dress, respectively. Both models also showcased pieces from Biss-Grayson’s newly launched Red Line Collection. The event saw Miss Universe Canada Ashley Callingbull as the featured model, marking her further involvement in Indigenous representation in contemporary fashion.
Biss-Grayson expressed satisfaction with the fashion show’s execution, noting the significance of presenting the Red Line Collection in such a prominent venue. “It was really great because this is the second time we’ve been there,” he stated. He reflected on the lengthy design process, emphasizing the work that goes into each collection over several months.
The Sky-Eagle Collection debuted a total of 24 new pieces, which encompassed a range of styles including dresses, trench coats, tracksuits, and ribbon skirts. Biss-Grayson commented on the production scale, stating, “Having 24 looks is a drop in the bucket really,” referring to previous shows that have featured as many as one hundred looks.
Model Gigi Sieke shared her appreciation for the experience: “I never modeled on such a big stage before,” she noted, highlighting the rarity of such opportunities for Indigenous models. She further articulated the importance of showcasing Native clothing and culture, describing the moment as a part of what she called the “Native Fashion Renaissance.”
Additional support and emotional ties to the event came from attendees such as Osage tribal member Danielle Cass, who traveled to New York alongside her granddaughter to cheer on the models. Cass observed the variety of designs on display, noting the incorporation of diverse styles that catered to various occasions from casual to formal wear.
A particularly evocative moment during the show involved Roanhorse ripping up treaties on stage while Biss-Grayson recited his poem. Cass described this act as emotional and impactful, stating, “When I saw Addie walking, I could see she had papers in her hands.” The treaties represented a poignant reminder of historical injustices and resonated deeply with the themes of loss and remembrance surrounding Indigenous communities. Roanhorse later explained that the decision was inspired by a similar performance by Maori leaders in New Zealand, which aimed to evoke a strong emotional response and highlight the ongoing impact of broken treaties.
Hud Oberly, an Osage fashion designer and model in attendance, remarked on the significance of Indigenous representation within global fashion dialogues, emphasizing that witnessing traditional Osage clothing on such a platform is a rare and powerful experience.
Biss-Grayson concluded with reflections on his role as a cultural ambassador through fashion. “I’m very honored to be able to bring new fashion to the global stage,” he stated, indicating a commitment to infusing Osage heritage into modern couture while contributing to the broader Native fashion renaissance. Sky-Eagle Collection has additional shows scheduled, including participation in the Res 2025 fashion show in Las Vegas and a fashion event in Sweden at the Museum of World Culture. The new Red Line Collection is available for viewing on their website.
Source: Noah Wire Services
