Ingredients: The Fry Bread Interview with Madeline Gray Goodfox

Madeline Gray Goodfox is a Haskell Indian Nations University alumna and a model. Gray Goodfox walked for designers Dante Biss-Grayson and Addie Roanhorse for the Sky-Eagle Collection at New York Fashion Week on February 8th. She is from the Osage, Pawnee, SacNFox, and Citizen Band Potawatomi Nations and grew up in Pawhuska, Oklahoma.

We caught up with her this week in Lawrence, Kansas.

Fry Bread Art: Can you tell us how you got started in modeling? 

Gray Goodfox: Well, it was about two and a half years now, almost three years. I started not professionally, of course. My mom had her friends who were designers. They are still designers. So, just on stages at high schools, very casual, nothing really big until most recently. All the designers I’ve walked for have been native-owned brands. And my mom, she kind of knows everyone around here in Oklahoma. She’s been my momager, and she’s gotten me all these gigs with her friends. Knowing people and working my way up, it’s all about networking. I wasn’t planning on modeling, it kind of fell into place. 

Fry Bread Art: Could you walk us through how you got to New York Fashion Week?

Gray Goodfox: The designer is my uncle [Dante Biss-Grayson]. That’s been a “get in ticket” for me. I’m so grateful for that. I’m so proud of him and my aunt Addie [Roanhorse]. Their mother [Gina Gray] was a famous artist, but she passed away a while ago. It inspires me to be there and work with them and get the opportunities. 

I’ve walked for all types of brands, small and big, grateful for every opportunity. I know most models have to audition, but it’s my uncle, thank goodness. Then I had to pay my way there and get a room. The show was on the eighth, which was the best day of my life. I got there at 11 in the morning. We got hair and makeup done. We did the walk through. 

Then [Miss Universe Canada 2024] Ashley Callingbull was there. I’m in awe of Ashley Callingbull. So I was fangirling the entire time, pinching myself. Making sure this is real. But I was getting dressed and I turned around and she’s right there behind me and I gasped and introduced myself. It was an all around good experience. I got to be with my family, so it was like home away from home.

Fry Bread Art: Can you tell us a little more about your uncle and his designs? 

Gray Goodfox: It’s called the Sky Eagle Collection. It’s Osage, Native-owned brand. They’re located in Taos, New Mexico. He grew up here in Osage County on the rez with his mom and his sister Addie. I know it’s all inspired by his mom–the best artist around these parts–and I’m sure he gets all his talent from her. She’s so inspiring. Regular Natives with dreams. I’m so proud of them, they’ve come so far. I’m inspired. 

Fry Bread Art: You both performed in the opening of the show, and you walked in it. How do you bring a balance of your personality into what your uncle and aunt are wanting you to see on the runway? 

Gray Goodfox: Everyone has their own style. They put out their own sass, and I feel like I incorporate myself with my walk very well. I walk with confidence. I walk wanting to represent myself, the brand, and the people behind the brands always. It’s more than putting on clothes and walking to me. I feel like every opportunity I get to walk means something more and more every time. 

Fry Bread Art: What advice would you give to other models aspiring to do modeling in the same way you are? 

Gray Goodfox: Don’t stop. There’s always going to be things going on that might matter. But at the end it’s all building up to where you need to be, and even Ashley Callingbull gave me the best pep talk ever. She was telling me “If I listened to everyone, I would stay home.” That put it into perspective and now look at where she’s at–she’s in Canada right now walking another runway. She’s right. So I would just go for it. Don’t ever settle. Don’t hold yourself back, because I’ve almost done that a few times. Keep going and represent yourself. I feel that being Native has been the best part of all of this. Getting to represent, for the communities that I come from, the families, all of that–it’s been great. 

Fry Bread Art: How would you describe this experience to a young Madeline? 

Gray Goodfox: See, growing up, I was the only rez kid on scene sometimes. I did grow up being connected to where I come from, but it wasn’t always right in my face all the time. So I had to remind myself where I come from; I’m not the only one; I’m here for a reason. 

If I told this to my younger self, I would tell myself to just keep going. There’s been times where I’ve wanted to give up and stay home. But I didn’t and I’m so grateful that I didn’t. I pushed myself because no one’s going to push yourself, only you can. I feel like that’s helped me the most. Surround yourself with good people who want the best for you and who also want good for themselves too, because that’s also important. That’s what I would tell a younger Maddi.