The Southwestern Association for Indian Arts reveals a diverse lineup of over 25 Indigenous designers for the second annual SWAIA Native Fashion Week, set for May 2025 in Santa Fe, NM.
The Southwestern Association for Indian Arts (SWAIA) has announced the lineup of designers for the second annual SWAIA Native Fashion Week, scheduled for May 7 through May 11, 2025, in Santa Fe, New Mexico. This year’s event will be a collaborative effort with Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week (VIFW), featuring over 25 Indigenous fashion designers from across the United States and Canada.
Notable designers participating in this year’s event include April Allen (Inuit), Loren Aragon (Acoma Pueblo), and Patricia Michaels (Taos Pueblo). Other contributors represent diverse backgrounds from various Indigenous nations, showcasing a range of styles and cultural expressions. SWAIA’s executive director, Jamie Schulze, expressed enthusiasm about the participating designers, stating, “Congratulations to all the participating designers; witnessing your artistic expression and creative brilliance is just amazing.” He also emphasized the significance of this collaboration in elevating Indigenous voices in the fashion industry.
The schedule for the week includes a VIP preview on May 7, followed by an Industry Day featuring panel discussions and designer trunk shows on May 8. The main fashion shows will take place on May 9, 10, and 11 at the Santa Fe Community Convention Center, culminating in a cocktail shopping hour that emphasizes interaction between designers and attendees.
Tickets for SWAIA Native Fashion Week will be available to members starting March 12, 2025, and to the general public on March 19, 2025. Since its inception in 2024, SWAIA Native Fashion Week has aimed to position Santa Fe as a hub for Indigenous fashion and creativity, providing a platform for Indigenous designers to gain recognition in the broader fashion industry. The event builds on a legacy of Indigenous representation that has been part of the Santa Fe Indian Market since 2014.
The Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week, established in 2017, is regarded as a leading event in Canada for showcasing Indigenous talent and creativity, further enhancing the collaborative nature of this year’s SWAIA Native Fashion Week.
Source: Noah Wire Services
