Native fashion has always been more than fabric and adornment; it is an enduring vessel for cultural continuity, community strength, and healing. Last month on September 19, that capacity for revitalization took center focus as the Johns Hopkins Center for Indigenous Health (CIH) presented “Indigenous Brilliance: Fashion, Art & Healing” at the Hon-Dah Resort Casino Conference Center in Pinetop, Arizona.
Marking 35 years of advancing Indigenous health and community leadership, the center celebrated its milestone not with speeches or galas, but with a runway showcase proving that creative expression goes hand-in-hand with overall wellness.
Since 1991, CIH has worked directly alongside Tribal Nations to build community-led programs focused on mental health, youth empowerment, and family well-being. By combining Indigenous traditions with public health initiatives, the center has spent over three decades uplifting local leaders and creating spaces where youth and families can thrive together across generations.
As fashion coordinator Ryan Breezy noted when Indigene first announced the showcase, “Many artists express their creativity in a way that keeps their individuality balanced and in harmony – showing us how fashion can be healing.”
All 300 seats inside the venue were filled for the free public event, creating an energy grounded in kinship and mutual support. Six Indigenous designers and labels: Raid, Penny Singer, Dawoozhii Designs, Traditions by Selina, Apache Skateboards, and Ro Tree showcased their latest designs. Beyond the runway, the evening also doubled as an open marketplace where attendees could buy pieces directly from the artists.
Photo by Urban Image AZ
For Breezy, Indigene’s Style Icon of the Year 2025, taking on the administrative helm was a natural step in a career that spans modeling, hair and makeup artistry, and backstage management.
“I felt a sense of nostalgia,” Breezy reflected after the show. “I was first introduced to the Indigenous fashion world as a designer’s assistant, and part of that role was coordinating shows. Having worked across casting, staging, lighting, photography, and styling, I love the organized chaos that happens backstage.”
By keeping the event free, the production team ensured the show was accessible to the whole community, putting the focus entirely on give-back over profit.
“It was never about raising money,” Breezy explained. “It was about providing a space to showcase Indigenous excellence – from the production crew and designers to the models, HMUA team, and photographers. We kept the event free so everyone had a chance to experience a supportive environment, with the hope that it would inspire others in the community.”
As the final looks cleared the runway, Indigenous Brilliance offered a clear reminder that fashion and health can belong in the same conversation.
Our Favorite Looks
While all six designers showcased outstanding collections, here are our favorite looks from the evening, captured backstage by Diné photographer Nate Lemuel of Darklisted Photography:
Raid
Photo by Nate Lemuel
Known for her upcycling approach to fashion, Raid’s architectural column dress reimagines her O’odham and Apache heritage through a sustainable lens. The design features an open-weave, woven shoulder cape in teal and aqua over a structured navy sheer bodice. Horizontal ribbon-work detailing adds an attention-grabbing touch, translating traditional artistry into contemporary fashion.
Penny Singer
Photo by Nate Lemuel
Diné designer Penny Singer brings her signature custom wearable art to this dark denim shirt-dress. Featuring puff sleeves, gold geometric appliqués, and decorative trim, it offers a versatile silhouette that can seamlessly shift from day to night.
Dawoozhii Designs
Photo by Nate Lemuel
Soft, feminine, and whimsical, this three-piece ensemble by Dawoozhii Designs effortlessly captures high desert landscape tones. It pairs a printed bandeau top and ruffle-hemmed wide-leg cargo trousers with a dramatic, airy ivory tulle shrug.
Traditions by Selina
Photo by Nate Lemuel
Traditional artist Selina Curley (Apache/Diné) continues the desert inspiration with a striking earth and night-sky pairing. The look pairs a celestial-printed black blouse with a cactus-patterned tiered skirt, accentuated by maximalist turquoise and silver jewelry, including a classic concho belt and stacked bead necklaces. Where traditional styling meets bold accessorizing, more is undeniably more.
Apache Skateboards
Photo by Nate Lemuel
Apache Skateboards showcases Native skate culture with this bold, art-driven streetwear look. Layering a graphic tee and red buttoned cape over baggy jeans, the ensemble is completed by a custom graffiti-tagged vintage suitcase that brings street art to life.
Ro Tree
Photo by Nate Lemuel
Seamstress Ro Tree (Diné, Kiowa, and Comanche) delivers high-fashion fantasy with this show-stopper: a custom structural, avant-garde purple gown. Shimmering sequins, draped beaded shoulders, a fringed hip structure, and bold floral appliqué bring traditional artistry into a dramatic modern silhouette.
To see the full collections, reach out to Nate Lemuel or visit his Instagram page HERE.
