Third annual Seneca Indigenous Fashion Show boosts Native designers
“I always feel like I walk away from fashion shows with new friendships made for life.”
By Darren Thompson
Fry Bread contributor
Niagara Falls—On Saturday, Nov. 1, the Seneca Nation of Indians (SNOI) hosted its third Indigenous Fashion Show featuring 11 Indigenous fashion designers from the U.S. and Canada. The sold out event was hosted at the Seneca Niagara Falls Casino Resort’s event center, and featured dozens of models and performances by Tia Wood and Jordan Smith to thousands of people. Indigenous designs incorporated moccasins, tanned hides, beads, quills, sequins, satin silk, vests, silk ribbons, velvet, bone, shells, and textiles in a trend that has exploded throughout the U.S. and Canada in the last several years.
“It’s an honor to showcase our beautiful culture and talents representing Indian Country,” Elexa Printup, Seneca Resorts & Casino publicity specialist, told Fry Bread. “The event began in our casino mezzanine with a capacity of 600 and continues to outgrow our space. We can’t wait to showcase our fourth annual fashion show next year.”
The featured designers include Beads by Arielle (Arielle Leighton), Pidabinikwe (Christal Ratt), Tisha Thompson, Bruno Henry, Kreations by Kehala (Kehala Smith), Cami Jones Designs (Cami Jones), Queena Ribbon Designs by Tina Bradley, Homer Couture (Mary Homer), Carly Koban, Karlene Familo, Shinymoon Creations (Jennifer Powless-Benally), The Snipes Nest (Darice Sampson), The Urban Gaiyowah (Jon Anne Capasso), and Mary Jacobs Designs (Mary Jacobs). Their styles represented their heritage as well as trends in the fashion industry. Models represented dozens of Tribal Nations and Indigenous communities from the U.S. and Canada as well as makeup and hair artists.
“Showing at the Seneca Indigenous Fashion Show was such an honor, and it’s always an honor to have the opportunity to showcase my work at any event,” Bradley of Queena Ribbon Designs told Fry Bread. “To be amongst the women and designers there was so empowering and everyone backstage was so kind and welcoming.
Bradley described how one designer took time out to show her their crafting and design techniques. “There was absolutely no gatekeeping—just sharing self taught knowledge to be passed on to one another,” she said.
The fashion scene expands beyond fashion designers and models, and includes photographers, makeup and hair artists, accessory designers, and other media professionals. The show invited makeup and hair artists from both the U.S. and Canada as well, and the event sponsored accommodations, per diem items, and honorariums to many.
“Throughout my career as a hair and makeup artist, I’ve had the privilege of working at many Indigenous fashion shows, and I must say this one truly stood out,” Goldie Tom, one of the show’s makeup and hair artists who traveled from New Mexico, said to Fry Bread. “The hospitality and kindness shown by the organizers were exceptional—they made sure we were well taken care of, providing comfortable accommodations and compensation for our work.”
The show’s intermission featured a performance by Tia Wood, an accomplished Canadian vocalist of Salish and Saddle Lake Cree heritage currently signed with Sony Music. She performed her songs “Sage My Soul” and “Dirt Roads”, and later performed on the Seneca Niagara Falls Casino gaming floor to thousands of casino patrons. The start of the second half of the show included a traditional Haudensaunee smoke dance song sung by Jordan Smith.
After the show, the crowd had an opportunity to meet the designers and talent face-to-face, creating a unique opportunity unlike other fashion spaces, where commercial designers and their talent is largely not available for the public to meet.
“To be a part of the third annual Seneca Indigenous Fashion Show at the Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino was a truly a great honor and an unforgettable experience,” Powless-Benally, of Shinymoon Creations told Fry Bread. “I am deeply grateful for the warm hospitality, thoughtful preparation, and the incredible efforts from everyone involved—the committee, the casino staff, the hosts, and the entire team behind the scenes.”
Next year’s event is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 21, and the Seneca Gaming Corporation is planning a bigger, and more funded event.
“I always feel like I walk away from fashion shows with new friendships made for life,” Bradley said.
