First Peoples fashion show to feature the creations of six Indigenous designers

Modern takes on traditional Indigenous fashion will be on display at the First Peoples Fashion Show on Saturday, Jan. 18 in the Grand Ballroom at the Holiday Inn starting at 5:30 p.m. with a welcome reception and cash bar. Six Indigenous designers will be featured and everything from street wear to formal gowns will be on the runway. 

Bitterwater for Redhouse is Michelle, of Dine’ ancestry from Northern Mexico. “I am Bitterwater (Todích’íí’nii) born for the Redhouse (Kinlichii’nii) Clan.” Her designing journey began when her daughter asked her to make a ribbon skirt and she has continued to make bold, bright “wearable art” ever since.

Son of Picasso designs under the name, Products of My Environment. He is from New Mexico and his designs can be described as wearable commentary on society’s challenges. His work is bold and sometimes brash, combining traditional indigenous symbols with graffiti and modern stylings.

Sage Mountain Flower is a beadwork artist and fashion designer from Ohkay Owingeh, Taos Pueblo, and Dine’.  She blends traditional and contemporary elements to create attire that embraces her cultural heritage while pushing the boundaries of fashion. “My designs include my tribal identities, stories, motifs, florals through my beadwork, pueblo embroidery, and applique sewn from thread to fabric in creating modern contemporary clothing,” she said.

Cathleen Lopez-Booth creates under the name, FoxFireDesigns. She is of Hopi (Ariz.) and Pueblo (NM) decent, born and raised on the reservation. Cathy is a retired U.S. Army Veteran, 101st Airborne, C.A.S.H. Unit—a combat Army support hospital— and a 2 Manchu Warrior Unit.

After completing two tours overseas she earned an associate degree and then a bachelor’s degree before she started creating indigenous fashion design and credits her mother for being a brilliant engineer who taught her how to sew.  “I bring a contemporary look to fashion for Indigenous people who wish to proudly represent our culture and identity,” she said.

Penny Singer is a Dinè designer and artist from the four corners area who was urban raised in reservation living. She is self-taught and creates wearable art jackets, contemporary applique shirts and accessories. Her work features bold geometric designs and freehand applique work.

Stacey Mitchell lives and works in the Saint Regis Mohwak Tribe in upstate New York. She combines indigenous motifs with modern styling for stunning results. Fitted jackets and flowing dresses represent some of her work. She also creates quilts and practices indigenous beadwork.

Bringing together these talented people was the brainchild of Estes Park resident, Sandi Siegel. 

“I’ve been going to the Southwestern Association for Indian Arts market in Santa Fe for years,” Siegel said.

“And then four years ago, I (noticed) they started having fashion shows.” Siegel has been involved in Denver Fashion Week for almost seven years and after attending the First People’s Festival in Estes Park last year, she set her sights on showcasing indigenous fashion with this year’s festival.  Working with Becky Gruhl, the main organizer for the festival, Siegel managed to bring six of the country’s top indigenous designers to participate in the show.   

Siegel participated in last year’s SWAIA fashion show, walking the runway. Backstage, she met several of the models who will be walking in the local show, as well as several designers. 

Siegel was not involved in fashion until a week before her 57^th birthday, when she answered a casting call for Denver Fashion Week. “It was their first 50 plus casting call,” she said, and she was selected to model.

Tickets to the fashion show can be purchased online.

The fashion show is part of the second annual First Peoples Festival which will be held from Jan. 17 to19 in various locations throughout town. 

• From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, a friendship powwow and Indigenous art market will be held in the Estes Park Events Center.
• On Sunday at 10 a.m. there will be a performance by the band Indigenous during the art market and powwow in the Estes Park Events Center.
• On Friday, there will be a dinner at Twin Owls Steakhouse by Sioux Chef Sean Sherman. This event is sold out.
• On Saturday at 5:30 p.m. the First Peoples Fashion Show will take place in the Grand Ballroom of the Holiday Inn.
• On Saturday and Sunday from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. the First Peoples Film Symposium will be held at the Estes Park Recreation Center.
• There will be competition powwows in several age ranges.

“We, as Indigenous people, are finally stepping onto the world stage in fashion and are at long last, being credited and noticed for our beautiful and unique designs and art,” said Cathy Lopez-Booth about her participation in the First Peoples Fashion Show.

“In essence, fashion for Indigenous people is important and crucial for going beyond just fashion. It is a steppingstone onto the world stage for proper recognition and respect. All Indigenous designers and artists, in whatever aspect or medium they create in, are vital in a vital time, said Lopez-Booth. “I welcome all people to enjoy our incredible creations in all mediums. This, to me, presents a sense of harmony, alliance, understanding, and camaraderie.”