Honoring our Traditions While Boldly Creating What’s Next | Photographing Utah Indigenous Fashion Week
As a Native American photographer with dreams of building a career that uplifts Indigenous designers, models, and artists, this fashion show was easily one of my all-time favorites! Photographing Utah Indigenous Fashion Week (UIFW) was an amazing opportunity to meet other Native creatives and hopefully build towards the career of my dreams as a fashion photographer!
From the moment I got to the Natural History Museum of Utah, I knew this was going to be unforgettable. The museum’s sleek architecture was the perfect backdrop for the rich textures, colors, and intricate designs walking the runway. I got there early (as always!) and had so much fun pulling a few models aside for impromptu pre-show editorials. With light pouring through the museum’s massive windows and the buzz of excitement in the air, every frame felt exciting.
Tradition Meets Coture
The venue itself created a fun full circle moment! Throughout the museum, visitors can find beautifully preserved pieces of Native regalia—beadwork, moccasins, and traditional garments that carry stories hundreds of years old. To then witness contemporary Indigenous couture strutting down the runway in that same space? Absolutely stunning!!
There’s a harmful misconception that Indigenous people are something of the past; A single monolithic culture locked in time. But we are not frozen in history. We are still here. We are diverse, contemporary, and deeply rooted in our traditions. Indigenous fashion proves that we can honor where we come from while stepping boldly into where we’re headed. This event wasn’t just about what we wear, it was about who we are, and how many different ways that can look.
Intertribal Beauty
What makes UIFW even more special is its intertribal nature. With over 574 federally recognized American Indian tribes in the United States (and many more unrecognized), our traditions, regalia, and art forms differ beautifully from tribe to tribe. Combining all Native peoples into one singular identity erases the beauty of our individual cultures. UIFW actively pushes back on that erasure by showcasing designers from many different tribes, each bringing their own vision, symbolism, and style to the runway. From quillwork and beadwork to ribbon skirts and feathers, every look told a unique story, rooted in its own heritage.
These were the incredible designers featured in order of appearance on the runway:
Daw B Designs
It was so fun to see how distinct and creative each collection was, you could instantly tell which pieces belonged together. Every designer’s style was so beautifully their own!
The entire Utah Indigenous Fashion Week team, designers, models, hair and makeup artists, poured so much passion and effort into this event, and it showed in every detail! They brought something unforgettable to life. And I’m already dreaming of collaborating with these incredible designers again on individual editorial campaigns and creative shoots!
Utah Indigenous Fashion Week is more than just a fashion show. It’s a space where Indigenous creatives can stand proudly in their identity, express themselves freely, and celebrate both where we come from and where we’re going.
I’m so happy to have played a small part in telling that story!
