Modern Luxury Rooted in Diné Tradition
In Diné culture, women have long been the backbone of k’é (community and kinship) by balancing the roles of caretaker, cultivator, and creator. For Lynn Traylor (Diné) of Auntie Creations and Rose McFadden (Diné) of Isabella Rose Design Co., this multi-faceted identity is the heartbeat of their work. After two years of working side-by-side on youth development initiatives, these two mother-entrepreneurs discovered a creative synergy that demanded a larger stage. Today, that partnership has evolved from mentorship to a collaborative dynamic that aims to redefine the landscape of Indigenous luxury.
The duo’s Love & Light and Dusk Till Dawn collections strike a stunning equilibrium, weaving the structured geometry of Diné rug patterns into the fluid elegance of bridal silk and satin, while grounding the look with accessories born from natural earth elements. By anchoring their designs in ancestral storytelling and modern sophistication, Lynn and Rose prove that Native fashion and style “belongs in the most exclusive spaces without losing its cultural integrity.”
Through this collaboration, they aren’t just creating garments—they are crafting a contemporary Diné legacy rooted in reflection and storytelling. We stepped behind the scenes with Lynn and Rose to uncover the spark that transformed their commitment to youth mentorship into a much-needed vision of modern Native luxury.
Q: What was the initial spark or idea that led Auntie Creations and Isabella Rose Design Co. to decide this collaboration needed to happen?
Lynn & Rose: The initial spark for this collaboration grew from two years of working closely together on youth development initiatives. Through these programs, we have been committed to teaching Native youth about business, career pathways, and the power of culture and art as tools for growth. Over time, our shared love for craftsmanship and attention to detail naturally evolved into a creative vision. We began dreaming of bringing our artistry together through two new collections—Love & Light and Dusk Til Dawn—designed to showcase romantic wedding gowns, refined evening wear, and luxurious accessories for both women and men. This collaboration felt like an organic next step in honoring culture, storytelling, and elevated design.
Q: How do your two brands—one focusing on garments and the other on accessories—complement or enhance each other’s work in this specific collection?
Lynn & Rose: Our two brands are deeply aligned through a shared love for detail, craftsmanship, and bespoke design that reflects both culture and identity. While one brand brings the story to life through garments and the other through accessories, each element is intentionally designed to enhance the other.
Rose: Lynn draws from her Diné heritage, incorporating Navajo rug patterns and strong geometric forms into the Love & Light collection. These visual elements ground the garments in tradition while elevating them with contemporary elegance.
Lynn: Rose complements this vision by focusing on refined details and high-quality design elements, often inspired by natural earth materials that give rise to one-of-a-kind accessories.
L & R: Together, the garments and accessories create a cohesive narrative—where cultural storytelling, texture, and detail are layered to form a complete, elevated look that honors tradition while embracing modern luxury.
Q: What single visual detail—a color, a texture, or a material—served as the main anchor point that links all the pieces in the collection together?
L & R: The single visual anchor that ties the entire collection together is the use of natural earth elements, rooted in our Diné cultural backgrounds. Through detailed beadwork, natural stone, and organic textures, we fused our individual art forms into one cohesive expression. These materials carry both visual and cultural meaning, grounding each piece in our upbringings and our respect for the land.
Beyond the garments and accessories, the storytelling extended into the creative direction. Rose produced the photoshoots, locations, and storylines to bring the art to life, while intentional model selection ensured authentic representation. Together, the materials, settings, and people became the connecting elements that anchored the collaboration as a whole.
Q: What feeling or message do you hope they take away from seeing your collaboration featured in Indigene Magazine?
L & R: We hope readers feel that Native fashion and accessories can be complemented on a more exclusive scale—such as bridal and elevated formal wear—while still being inclusive and wearable by all. The collaboration is meant to show that Indigenous design belongs in luxury spaces without losing its cultural integrity or accessibility.
R: We took a step back in our conversations to share a message from a business standpoint that has been encouraging throughout our entrepreneurial journey—it is reflection. As Navajo women, we are taught to wear many hats of responsibility: caring for the home and children, cooking, tending livestock, cultivating the land, chopping wood, and more. As a business owner and artist, you represent every element of the process and carry every level of responsibility. You are the artist, designer, marketer, graphic designer, photographer, videographer, planner, model coordinator, stylist, producer, networker—and, most importantly, a mother at home.
My message to parents is to keep dreaming big. It is possible to be an exceptional parent while building a business. Like our grandfathers and grandmothers who hunted, tended animals, wove, and created everyday utensils, clothing, shoes, bags, and more—they used their talents and abilities and turned them into trade or business as the world changed. Our message is rooted in reflection: how far we have come, and how far we can go—especially if our children continue in our footsteps.”
Q: Describe your respective collections in one sentence:
L: Love & Light: A bridal collection that brings forward silk, satin, and intricate beadwork, blending Diné culture with timeless elegance.
R: Dusk Til Dawn: A collection centered on natural stones and earth elements, using a rich, earth-toned palette to showcase versatile beauty designed to be worn for every occasion.
Q: Your favorite moment/highlight about this shoot that stood out for you?
L & R: One of our favorite moments from the shoot was pausing in the middle of the fast-paced energy to reflect on what was happening behind the scenes. During a photoshoot, you are constantly styling, managing models, adjusting garments, and reviewing camera footage—all within a very limited window of time. It is intense, exciting, and constantly moving.
L & R: What truly stood out was watching the behind-the-scenes footage and seeing our side profiles and backs as we worked—moving quickly, focused, and fully immersed in making sure every detail was right. That moment of reflection captured the dedication, teamwork, and care that goes into the process, and it reminded us how much intention and heart is poured into every aspect of the work.
Q: What does Native fashion mean to you?
L & R: Native fashion means bringing our heritage and culture to life through modern expression. It is the blending of contemporary fabrics and design with traditional practices, storytelling, and the materials that are already before us. Through handmade jewelry, beadwork, and garment-making, we share who we are, where we come from, and what we carry forward.
At its core, Native fashion is storytelling—it honors tradition while evolving with the present, allowing culture to live, breathe, and be seen in every piece created.
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For more editorial content from this shoot, visit the Instagram pages of Isabella Rose Design Co. & Auntie Creations.
