Behind the scenes preparations

Backstage at the Santa Fe Community venue buzzed with anticipation as makeup artist Molly Brannan leaned in to apply the final touches to model Giselle Richards. The air was thick with the scent of setting spray and the low hum of last-minute adjustments. Brannan, known for her work in Indigenous fashion circles, moved with practiced precision, blending earthy tones and shimmering highlights that complemented Richards’ traditional-inspired ensemble.

Models, designers, and stylists moved in a choreographed flurry, each focused on their role in bringing the Southwestern Association for Indian Arts’ weekend celebration to life. Garments hung neatly on racks, many adorned with intricate beadwork, handwoven fabrics, and motifs passed down through generations. The backstage area, though compact, was a hive of creativity and collaboration, where tradition met contemporary flair.

Hair stylists worked swiftly, braiding and pinning with care, often incorporating feathers, shells, and other natural elements into the models’ looks. Designers offered last-minute instructions, adjusting hemlines and smoothing fabrics, ensuring each piece would flow flawlessly under the runway lights. The atmosphere was electric, yet grounded in a shared respect for the cultural significance of the event.

As the show’s start time approached, a quiet focus settled over the team. Brannan gave Richards a final nod of approval, stepping back to admire the transformation. It was more than makeup—it was a visual tribute to identity, resilience, and artistry, ready to be unveiled to the audience beyond the curtain.

Spotlight on Native fashion

As the lights dimmed and the first beats of the music pulsed through the venue, the runway came alive with a vibrant display of Native fashion that transcended trends and seasons. Each model stepped forward not just as a canvas for design, but as a storyteller, wearing garments that echoed the voices of their ancestors and the innovation of contemporary Indigenous creators.

Designers from across North America showcased collections that blended traditional craftsmanship with modern silhouettes. Flowing dresses adorned with hand-stitched quillwork, structured jackets featuring bold geometric patterns, and accessories crafted from turquoise, bone, and silver all took centre stage. The pieces were not only visually striking but also deeply symbolic, often representing tribal affiliations, personal journeys, or natural elements like rivers, mountains, and animals.

One standout moment came when a model walked the runway in a floor-length cape made from hand-dyed wool, its colours shifting from deep ochre to sky blue, representing the desert sunrise. The audience responded with a hushed reverence, recognising the artistry and cultural depth woven into every thread. Another highlight featured a menswear line that reimagined traditional regalia into streetwear, complete with beaded sneakers and ribbon-trimmed bomber jackets—an homage to heritage with a bold, urban twist.

The diversity of styles reflected the wide range of tribal identities represented at the event. From the intricate appliqué work of the Lakota to the vibrant ribbon skirts of the Anishinaabe, each collection offered a unique perspective on what it means to be Indigenous in the modern world. Designers spoke through their work, challenging stereotypes and asserting that Native fashion is not a relic of the past, but a living, evolving art form.

Audience members, many dressed in their own regalia or contemporary Indigenous designs, responded with enthusiastic applause and emotional reactions. For many, the runway was more than a fashion show—it was a celebration of survival, creativity, and cultural pride. The models, walking with confidence and purpose, embodied the strength and beauty of their communities, turning the runway into a space of empowerment and visibility.

Celebrating cultural heritage through style

Throughout the event, fashion served as a powerful medium for cultural expression, with each garment telling a story rooted in heritage and identity. The designs on display were not merely aesthetic choices—they were visual narratives that honoured ancestral knowledge, traditional techniques, and the enduring spirit of Indigenous communities. From the hand-beaded patterns that mirrored ancient petroglyphs to the use of natural dyes sourced from native plants, every detail was intentional and steeped in meaning.

Many of the designers spoke about the importance of reclaiming and revitalising traditional practices through fashion. For some, this meant collaborating with elders to learn age-old weaving methods or incorporating language elements into their prints. Others drew inspiration from ceremonial attire, adapting it for contemporary wear while maintaining its cultural integrity. The result was a dynamic fusion of past and present, where style became a form of storytelling and resistance.

In conversations with attendees, it was clear that the event resonated on a deeply personal level. Elders in the audience nodded in recognition as familiar patterns and symbols appeared on the runway, while younger generations expressed pride in seeing their culture represented in such a bold and modern context. For many, it was a reminder that cultural heritage is not static—it evolves, adapts, and thrives through creative expression.

One designer from the Navajo Nation shared how her collection was inspired by the stories her grandmother told her as a child. Each piece in her line featured motifs drawn from those tales—spirals representing wind spirits, zigzags symbolising lightning, and colours chosen to reflect the desert landscape. Her work, like that of many others at the event, was a tribute to the resilience and wisdom of her ancestors, brought to life through fabric and form.

Beyond the runway, the celebration extended into the crowd, where attendees wore garments that blended traditional and contemporary elements. Feathered earrings paired with denim jackets, handwoven belts cinched over modern dresses, and moccasins worn with tailored trousers—all reflected a living culture that continues to inspire and adapt. The fashion on display was not confined to the stage; it was woven into the very fabric of the community gathered there.

For Australian audiences, the parallels are striking. Just as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander designers are reclaiming their narratives through fashion, so too are Native American artists using style as a platform for cultural affirmation and innovation. Events like this serve as a reminder of the power of fashion to not only reflect identity but to shape it, offering a space where heritage is not only preserved but celebrated in all its evolving beauty.

Behind the scenes preparations

Backstage at the Santa Fe Community, the energy was electric as makeup artist Molly Brannan leaned in with precision, applying the final touches to model Giselle Richards. The soft hum of hairdryers, the rustle of silk and suede, and the rhythmic click of heels created a symphony of anticipation. Brannan, known for her deft hand and eye for detail, worked swiftly under the warm backstage lights, blending earthy tones and metallic accents that echoed the natural palette of the Southwest.

Models moved between racks of garments adorned with intricate beadwork, handwoven textiles, and bold geometric patterns—each piece a testament to Indigenous craftsmanship. Stylists adjusted hemlines and smoothed fabrics, ensuring every look honoured the designer’s vision. The atmosphere was a blend of calm focus and creative buzz, with designers offering last-minute notes and encouragement.

“It’s not just about looking beautiful—it’s about carrying a story,” one stylist whispered as she fastened a turquoise-studded belt around a model’s waist.

Lighting technicians and show coordinators moved with purpose, syncing cues and finalising the runway sequence. The models, many of whom are Indigenous themselves, stood tall and poised, embodying both strength and elegance. As Giselle Richards stepped toward the curtain, her look complete, the backstage team paused for a breath—ready to send their art into the spotlight.

Celebrating Native fashion in Santa Fe

As the lights dimmed and the first beat pulsed through the speakers, the runway came alive with a celebration of Native fashion that was both reverent and revolutionary. The Southwestern Association for Indian Arts (SWAIA) transformed the Santa Fe Community into a vibrant showcase of Indigenous design, where tradition met contemporary flair in every stitch and silhouette.

Designers from across Turtle Island presented collections that honoured ancestral techniques while pushing the boundaries of modern fashion. Richly dyed fabrics in ochre, clay red, and desert sage flowed down the runway, layered with hand-beaded accessories and statement jewellery crafted from turquoise, shell, and silver. Each ensemble told a story—of land, lineage, and resilience.

“This is couture with a conscience,” said one attendee, herself a textile artist from Queensland, admiring a floor-length cape woven with motifs inspired by Navajo cosmology.

Standout moments included a series of structured jackets with appliqué detailing that nodded to Pueblo pottery designs, and a collection of silk dresses printed with archival ledger art, reimagined through a contemporary lens. Footwear ranged from hand-tooled leather boots to beaded moccasins, grounding each look in cultural authenticity.

• Over 30 Indigenous designers participated in the weekend showcase
• More than 500 guests attended Saturday’s runway event
• Collections featured materials sourced sustainably from tribal lands

For the Australian fashion set, the event offered a powerful reminder of the importance of cultural storytelling in design. The craftsmanship on display rivalled any Paris or Milan runway, yet it pulsed with a deeper purpose—preserving identity through fashion. As the final model took her turn, draped in a fringed shawl that shimmered like desert twilight, the crowd rose in applause, not just for the beauty, but for the legacy woven into every thread.