SANTA
FE, N.M., May 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The
Southwestern Association for Indian Arts is excited to share the
outcomes of its inaugural Native Fashion Week in Santa Fe. The event kicked off on Thursday, May 2, with a VIP reception at the
New Mexico Governor's mansion.
SWAIA Executive Director Jamie
Schulze, Fashion Curator/Producer Amber-Dawn Bear Robe and
Santa Fe Mayor Alan Webber delivered opening remarks to a
gathering of 300 guests from various parts of the United States and beyond.
The next day's "All About Indigenous Fashion Symposium," hosted
at the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture (MIAC), was a resounding
success, with a fully booked four-panel discussion symposium. The
event delved into crucial topics such as "Why Native American
Fashion Matters" with esteemed speakers like Tantoo Cardinal, as
well as engaging designer-themed panels featuring both established
and emerging fashion designers alongside industry experts like
Vicky Milner, co-founder and
President of the Canadian Fashion Awards.
On Saturday, May 3, and
Sunday, May 4, SWAIA Native Fashion
presented two daily fashion shows— showcasing a total of 17
Indigenous North American designers from the U.S. and Canada, 140 models, and the work of over 30
independent makeup and hair artists. In addition to the daily
fashion shows, 20 artist and maker pop shops and 15 unique
activation spaces transformed the Santa
Fe Community Convention Center into a fashion playground for
over 2,000 weekend attendees.
"We are taking this moment to acknowledge the successful launch
of a new, annual, native fashion week under the SWAIA brand
authority. Our new shoulder season event expands SWAIA's mission of
bringing native arts to the world 365 days a year— and builds
another economic driver for our artists, their communities and the
City and State of New Mexico,"
said Schulze.
Significant partnerships were made with SWAIA Native
Fashion Week's inaugural title sponsors: Heritage Hotels, the
Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana and
the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians. The event's media sponsors
were Table Magazine New Mexico, Cowboys & Indians and Native
American Art Magazine. Food and
beverages were provided by Box Car Santa Fe and Pranzo Italian
Grill.
SWAIA's attention has now shifted to the upcoming 102nd annual
Indian Market, scheduled for August
17 and 18 in downtown Santa
Fe. Bear Robe is putting the finishing touches on an
incredible SWAIA fashion show on Sunday,
August 18. For additional information about this year's
event, including ticket details for the summer fashion show and
SWAIA's gala, please visit swaia.org.
About SWAIA:
The Southwestern Association for Indian Arts (SWAIA) is a
non-profit organization supporting Native North American art and
culture. SWAIA creates economic and cultural opportunities for
Native North American artists by producing and promoting the Santa
Fe Indian Market— the largest and most prestigious Native art event
in the world. Since 1922 SWAIA has cultivated excellence and
innovation across traditional and non-traditional art forms—
developing programs and events that support, promote and honor
Native North American artists year-round. swaia.org
IG: santafeindianmarket FB: @SWAIA
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SOURCE Southwestern Association for Indian Arts