The Sacred Native Fashion Show at the Explore Navajo Museum in Tuba City was a huge success on a perfect day with 400 guests including crowds of passers by stopping in to help celebrate its 10th anniversary.

Troi Whitethorne, founder and producer of the Sacred Native Fashion Show since 2008 never thought the show would become such a big event. Over the years the show has become a prominent foothold in Indigenous fashion. It has become an event that has jump started the careers of many native American fashion designers and models.
“But like they say, it’s not a fashion show unless somebody falls, so just don’t be the one to fall.” Whitethorne said to the models at practice. Local models presented every design with dignity and professional grace that is part of the show’s attraction.

“I think the show went great. I feel relieved now that it is done and I am happy we had Belinda here, too,” said Whitethrone. “She is such a nice person.”

The Sacred Native Fashion show hosted world-renowned designer, Belinda Daychief Bullshoe of the Blackfeet/Blood Tribe of Montana. Bullshoe has walked her designs on the runways of New York, Paris, Malaysia and recently the ‘Fashion Speaks’ in honor of missing and murdered Indigenous women. Bullshoe is preparing to show in Milan, Italy, a new historical milestone in Indigenous Fashion.

Bullshoe walked eight couture designs for the people to see. The crowd loved seeing and relating to her style and couture designs of the Blackfeet tribe. Her vision proved all Indigenous nations could stand together with one resounding voice through the art of beautifully sewn textiles, which is how she brings attention to political issues that plague the Native communities such as alcoholism or missing and murdered Native women.

“I had no idea how big [the fashion show] is and with the fair going on too.” she said after the parade. Bullshoe and her husband Ron were also happy to see the Hopi and Yei Bi Chei dancers for the first time. “I am having fun, this is really neat. We are going home with good feelings from our hearts and big smiles in our souls. Thank you for welcoming [us].”

Premiere designer for the Sacred Native Fashion event, Pat Agustinez of the House of Whitehorse, debuted a swimwear line that wowed the crowd. With the shedding of old taboos, her swimwear line, worn by Native American models, will forever erase cultural bias and self-imposed limitations of Native American stereotypes. The House of Whitehorse walked five pieces from the swimwear collection adding other pieces from haute couture, daywear, and children’s all mphasize to the world that the there is still plenty of room to raise the bar.

“My kids and I have always loved the water; we love the ocean, so I thought it was just the next step to sew swimwear.” said Agustinez. “I also like to use fabrics or patterns to acknowledge my culture that’s why I used the crushed velvet for the bikinis.”

Joining the House of Whitehorse was Alyssa London, Miss Alaska 2017 from the Tlingit Tribe, who wore a full-length shawl wrap dress that seemed to be made just for her as she stood over six feet tall. London was traveling with the Culture Connection film crew and surprised everybody backstage when she agreed to walk the runway for Agustinez.

Jolanzo Goldtooth of JG Indie was the last designer of the afternoon. This was his third year at the Tuba City fashion show, and as is also his style, JG Indie included royalty to walk the runway. “I like to model royalty because they’re ambassadors of the people and I want to support them.” said Goldtooth. He walked a collage of pieces taken from the latest collections including his new line of accessories and jewelry. Goldtooth has become an icon of Indigenous fashion as one of the first Native American designerswalk Fashion Week in New York, Paris, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and next will be Paris.

Jennifer James brought her fiercest looks that blend all genres while holding on to traditional roots.

“I do this for the youth or to inspire others,” said James, who now produces fashion shows. “I also like to help promote other artists and collaborate with them. I just hope to influence others to do what they love, to follow their dreams. That is why I come back to this show.”

Six more designers debuted their fall collections: Cynthia Trujillo the next up-and-coming designer to watch for. Loretta Tsinijine Su debuted a beautiful collection with major potential in the upcoming seasons. Paul Winston and her definitive long, layered skirt collection beautifully made with different textiles. Shay Shay with a small collection of beautiful outfits for all body types that combined the traditional styles of Arizona tribes; Liz Whitethorne Benally with her signature fun Bluebird Flour gear; and Natalie Rivas of Native Earth Jewelry .Com with accessories. Models from the all directions of the Navajo Nation joined in to bring the show to life with their unique looks and confidence.
The celebrity guest list included: Navajo Nation President Russell Begaye; Alexandria Rose Holiday, Miss Northern Navajo 2016, Ariana Roselyn Young, Miss Northern Navajo Teen 2016; Tehya Yazzie, Junior Miss Shaatoho Prep 2017; meme star Zoel Zohnnie; Wrytten (Keri Denny Flynn) and Honey (Daniels) performing with Day One Productions; Cynthia Glasses of the Native Hoops Magazine as M.C.; music by the Sunburnt Stone band; and Kobe Yazzie made his poetry debut at the event.