SWAIA News:
SANTA FE — The Southwestern Association for Indian Arts (SWAIA) announces the return of SWAIA Native Fashion Week, taking place May 8–9, 2026, at the Eldorado Hotel & Spa in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
The 2026 program introduces a refined, curated format designed to deepen engagement, strengthen designer visibility, and create a more intimate, storytelling-driven experience for guests.
Participating designers include Patricia Michaels (Taos Pueblo), Himikalas Pamela Baker (Squamish/Kwakiutl/Tlingit/Haida), Lauren Good Day (Mandan/Hidatsa/Arikara Nation), Jamie Okuma (Luiseño/Wailaki/Okinawan/Shoshone-Bannock), and Jontay Kahm (Plains Cree). Peshawn Bread (Comanche/Kiowa/Cherokee) will return as the event’s producer in partnership with SWAIA.
“This year’s format allows us to focus on depth over scale,” said SWAIA Executive Director Jamie Schulze. “By bringing the program into a single venue, we are creating higher-impact moments, stronger connections between designers and audiences, and new opportunities to integrate hospitality, culinary storytelling, and fashion into one cohesive experience.”
Hosted at the Eldorado Hotel & Spa, the weekend will integrate Heritage Hotels and Resorts’ venue, hospitality, and culinary assets to create a destination experience centered on Native design and storytelling.
Event Schedule
- 10 a.m.–4 p.m., Friday, May 8, Native Creatives Market, Anasazi Ballroom (Free and open to the public)
- 6–8 p.m., Friday, May 8, Press & Designer Reception, Cava and the Chapel (Invitation Only)
- 10 a.m.–4 p.m., Saturday, May 9, Native Creatives Market, Anasazi Ballroom (Free and open to the public)
- 6–8:30 p.m., Saturday, May 9, A Taste of Native Fashion Gala, Grand Ballroom (Ticketed)
Friday and Saturday’s Native Creatives Market offers a trunk show atmosphere focused on ready-to-wear Native fashion and accessories. The weekend culminates in A Taste of Native Fashion Gala, a seated culinary and fashion experience showcasing participating designers’ collections in an intimate, immersive setting. The evening will also feature a silent auction.
Tickets and additional event information are available at https://onecau.se/_fmzf91