Locals lead at Santa Fe fashion show

The world of Native fashion is exploding lately, with more and more Onkwehón:we designers sharing their works on catwalks around the world. The latest venue for Indigenous fashionistas was in New Mexico, with some of Kahnawake’s own talent heading to Santa Fe for the first edition of Santa Fe’s Native Fashion Week.

“It feels amazing, there’s such a surge of Indigenous designers that are coming up,” said Kahnawa’kehró:non Thea Thomas, who was there with her brand, Threads by Thea. “There are a lot of local Indigenous fashion shows being organized, but being able to have something on such a global scale, where you’re getting designers from the States, from Canada, from overseas, it’s really amazing to see everyone coming together.”

Thomas showed two looks at the show, modelled by Teiokahráthe Herne and Takaienhne Herne, who are sisters from Akwesasne and Ganienkeh. The duo repped Thomas’ signature streetwear looks, part of a collection called “The Ancestral Pulse,” inspired by traditional motifs that can be found in beadwork and wampum belts.

“I just wanted to reinterpret that onto textile work,” Thomas said.

Also representing Kahnawake in Santa Fe was Karahkwinetha Sage Goodleaf, who modelled a number of looks at the show.

“It was a gift to witness the breadth and depth of Indigenous design talent. Each designer brought their own vision and teachings forward, offering reflections of their nations, families, and personal journeys,” Goodleaf said.

Goodleaf wore designs by Rebecca Jarvis, Tina Bradley’s Queen Ribbon Creations, Chipita Trading Company, Bitterwater Creations, Running Horse Studio, and Native Diva Creations, including looks featuring antique turquoise and a dentalium shell shirt.

She even wore moccasins made by Kahnawake’s very own Kahentísa’s Brenna Alfred.

“It is powerful and affirming to witness the growing proliferation of Indigenous-led fashion events. These spaces create necessary pathways for cultural expression, autonomy, and resurgence,” Goodleaf said. “For generations, our designs have been appropriated and commodified without consent or acknowledgment. Today, we are reclaiming that space, asserting that our aesthetics are not trends, but ancestral knowledges rooted in land, kinship, and ceremony.”

Thomas agreed, adding that it was special to be surrounded by so many fellow Indigenous people.

“It feels like an extension of a bigger community, because sometimes when you go to shows that are run by non-Indigenous people, you sometimes feel that there’s a barrier there, or you can’t really relate to the people that you’re working with,” Thomas said. “It was really nice to see more things happening like this and just be a part of it all.”

Thomas even connected with a number of attendees who approached her to buy her work.

“A lot of people had good reactions in terms of they could see themselves in the clothes, and wanted to be able to acquire them,” said Thomas. “Just being backstage and meeting people, networking, I just learned a lot about myself and how to continue in this business.”

The show felt like a ceremony, Goodleaf said, and it was especially meaningful to bring her mother, Suzy Goodleaf, to see her walk the runway, honouring her aunt Krissy Goodleaf, who sadly passed away at the end of last year. Krissy played a major role in encouraging Karahkwinetha to get involved in the shows.

“This most recent show was deeply meaningful, as it was dedicated to her memory. She was meant to attend alongside my mother, Suzy Goodleaf. Her spirit guided me throughout the experience,” Karahkwinetha said.

Native Fashion Week is already set to return in 2026, bringing even more Indigenous artistry to New Mexico.

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