Native Love, a cultural preservation group for youth, recently held its second annual fashion show and fundraiser at the Southern Ute Cultural Center & Museum.
The event showcased traditional Indigenous fashion and allowed young participants to express their identities through a mix of traditional regalia, beadwork, and modern clothing.
Kristean Velasquez, an organizer for Native Love, served as the event’s emcee. Around 20 kids and adults took to the runway, displaying a variety of attire from colorful dresses to streetwear and sports uniforms.
“Providing kids with a space to express themselves freely and without judgment is what this event is all about,” Velasquez said.
O’olcu Buckskin, who organized the show, highlighted the event’s role in offering kids alternative ways to express themselves. “Not everyone is into powwow or beadwork. Some might prefer fashion or modeling. It’s a way to communicate without words,” Buckskin noted.
Liana Daniels, an Indigenous fashion designer from Farmington, New Mexico, had her designs featured on the runway. Daniels expressed her emotions after seeing her creations worn by young people. “It was touching to see my designs on the runway and know that they were appreciated,” she said.
The fashion show concluded with an awards ceremony for the participants. Native Love plans to continue hosting this event in the future.
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