Santa Fe, N.M., Dec. 5, 2024 — The Southwestern Association for Indian Arts (SWAIA) has announced the return of its highly anticipated SWAIA Native Fashion Week (SNFW), set to take place from May 7 to May 11, 2025. Building on the success of last year’s inaugural event, this year’s Native Fashion Week will feature multiple runway shows, pop-up shops, fashion panels, and activation spaces, all aimed at showcasing Indigenous creativity, amplifying Indigenous voices, and offering networking opportunities for artists and professionals in the fashion industry.
“We are excited to invite the community to join us in celebrating Indigenous creativity and innovation,” said Jamie Schulze, Executive Director of SWAIA. “In addition, we are issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a fashion producer to collaborate with our team on this year’s event. Qualified applicants are encouraged to submit proposals by December 20, 2024.”
The RFP process underscores SWAIA’s commitment to transparency and inclusivity within the Indigenous fashion sector. The chosen fashion producer will work closely with SWAIA staff to help bring the vision for SNFW 2025 to life.
Last year’s inaugural SNFW, held during Santa Fe’s shoulder season, was a standout success. The event featured 17 Indigenous designers from the U.S. and Canada, with 140 models and over 30 makeup and hair artists. It was supported by the New Mexico Multi-Cultural Foundation, Heritage Hotels, the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana, the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, and other local partners.
Details about the 2025 SNFW’s participating designers and ticket sales will be released in early 2025. For more information about the event and the RFP for a fashion producer, visit [RFP FASHION PRODUCER LINK].
About SWAIA Native Fashion Week (SNFW)
SWAIA Native Fashion Week is an offshoot of the long-running SWAIA Native Fashion Show, which has been held during the Santa Fe Indian Market since 2014. Debuting in May 2024, SNFW is dedicated to celebrating Indigenous fashion designers and elevating Indigenous representation in the fashion industry. The event’s goals include making Santa Fe the Indigenous fashion capital of North America, promoting Indigenous creativity, and fostering networking opportunities.
About SWAIA
The Southwestern Association for Indian Arts (SWAIA) is a nonprofit organization that supports Native North American art and culture. Through events like the Santa Fe Indian Market, SWAIA creates economic and cultural opportunities for Native artists. Since 1922, SWAIA has been a leader in promoting excellence across both traditional and contemporary Native art forms.
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