2nd Annual Indigenous Fashion Show: Loud, Empowered and Proud

IFS 2024

In celebration of Native American Heritage and Indigeneity, on November 8, 2024 over a dozen students and staff took the stage in Bellis Fair Mall for the 2nd Annual Indigenous Fashion Show: Loud, Empowered and Proud. This extraordinary collaboration between the Native American Student Union (NASU) at Western Washington University, Northwest Indian College and Lummi Nation School presented emerging and established designers to showcase their new collections. Harmony DeVaney, Favi Guzman, Good Boy Mercantile, Aletha Ballew (Lummi), Copper Canoe Woman (Bella Bella) presented their latest fashion and jewelry collections. Model and activist Naiyahnikai Gorman MCed and shared useful modeling tips for the students to produce a highly professional fashion show that felt impressively fluid. Artists Jason LaClair and Aletha Ballew vended their locally adored print and fiber art, in addition to having designs and ribbon skirts on the runway.

IDF 2024 Native Arts 360 artists Jason LaClair (Lummi), 10 Buffalos Art (Arapaho/Chippewa/Metis), Savannah Pants (Tsimshian/Haida/Nez Perce) and MJ Design (Swinomish) had bold new designs that were featured as both clothing and accessories. Natural themes paired with rich palettes made for really impactful visuals and sharp contemporary style. Marcus Joe of MJ Design, who is also a rapper that goes by the thoughtful moniker Thynk Wyz performed songs from his upcoming album during a spectacular half time show that visibly moved the crowd with heads bopping throughout the audience.

Harmony DeVaney's designs reflected her activism using her platform to raise awareness regarding the genocide in Palestine and the Land Back movement: with 2 undeniably thoughtful pieces of applique stitched and beaded and to jean jackets. She extended brightly color ribbon fringe elements to the beaded "Land Back" to accentuate the deeply important messaging.

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Favi Guzman-Estrada, a mixed Queer CHamoru and Mexican artist whose work connects deeply to their cultural roots in Guam and Mexico. Their art is a form of self-expression and reclamation of their identity, culture, and homeland, envisioning a future where diaspora children feel a sense of belonging.

Favi’s collection blends CHamoru-Micronesian and Mexican traditions into contemporary fashion. Featuring second-hand clothing adorned with CHamoru tribal block prints, Favi revives ancient motifs from pottery and spirituality, honoring CHamoru resilience. The collection also includes Tapis (wraps) and Lupes (skirts), traditionally made from natural materials but now crafted from cotton and linen while retaining geometric patterns that symbolize enduring CHamoru identity.

The jewelry, made from raffia fiber, merges CHamoru and Mexican weaving traditions, symbolizing strength, matriarchy, and elegance. Favi’s designs are more than accessories—they carry cultural and ceremonial significance. This collection also highlights the environmental crisis, with a headpiece made from recycled materials and shells symbolizing coral bleaching. Favi uses their art to raise awareness about the need to protect our oceans and natural ecosystems.

The turnout was beyond what any of the organizers imagined. There was a tremendous amount of organic beauty with combined forces of empowered youth, thoughtful mentors and visually strong culturally relevant design that they intuitively moved with phenomenal confidence in. As a central priority this event was intentional about achieving this exact outcome. It is also intended to give students access to discussions about accessing future career pathways in the arts and established designers who can help them effectively network.

*Favio Guzman-Estrada collaborative writer

**Native Arts 360 designs

Cultural Affiliation(s)

InterTribal