Indigenous Design Hero

SANTA FE INDIAN MARKET 2O22

Jamie invited me to collaborate with her on several pieces that graced the runway at the most talked about fashion event in Indian Country, SWAIA’s Fashion Show. This annual event has become the premiere stage for indigenous fashion designers, models and tastemakers. Our collaboration was shown on Sunday, August 21, 2022 in front of a sold out audience during Indian Market.

VISUALIZE

Working with such an esteemed artist was an honor and being able to visualize what she had in mind wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be since she gave me creative freedom. Jamie asked for a repeating pattern that would be printed on fabric and then cut and sewn into what would appear on the runway. My signature hand writing was also requested for appliqué patchwork that would be applied to the finished garments.

Scope

  • Pattern Design
  • Typography
  • Appliqué Design

SWAIA Fashion Show 2022

  • Centennial Event
  • Indian Market Highlight

The Collaboration

“We uplift indigenous fashion design, art, and culture through meticulously detailed garments and accessories.”

AMPLIFY

Jamie Okuma is well known for her intricate beadwork and jaw dropping handbags, dresses and gowns with pieces in several museum collections including the Peabody Essex Museum, The Smithsonian Museum of the American Indian and the Metropolitan Museum of Art to name a few. Our paths first crossed in 2016 when the Native Fashion Now exhibit debuted in Salem, Massachusetts beginning a two year coast to coast traveling exhibition of curated work from some of Native America’s finest artists and designers.

Models: Kinsale Drake, Mona Bear

Photo credit: Dark Listed Photography and Kinsale Drake

100

Keeping it Real

2

Collaboration Pieces

3

Fashion Show & Exhibitions Together