This weekend, the 2023 Santa Fe Indian Market kicks off in New Mexico. The annual market—which is held in and around Santa Fe’s historic main plaza—serves as one of the city’s biggest attractions of the year; it’s where Indigenous artists of all backgrounds across North America come to sell their innovative works, including jewelry, textiles, pottery, and more. Even better yet, it’s also where the Indigenous Fashion Show is held, where leading contemporary Native designers such as Jamie Okuma and Orlando Dugi come to showcase their newest ready-to-wear and couture collections—all of which are built around the idea of modernizing their cultural design motifs and carrying them forward in new, exciting ways.
This year’s artist lineup at the market, which now celebrates its 101st anniversary, is certainly more diverse and plentiful than ever. In the booths, jewelry designers such as Keri Ataumbi, Robin Waynee, and Pat Pruitt will sell their striking new earrings, necklaces, and rings; On the catwalk, Indigenous streetwear brand Mobilize will debut its new unisex pieces, as will rising design talent Jontay Kahm, who specializes in sculptural, avant-garde couture. While taking in all of the design newness, be sure to take notice of the vibrant street style scene happening amongst the plaza. All of this sound too overwhelming to take in? Fret not: Vogue is rounding up the 21 thrilling artists to watch out for this year, below.
Jontay Kahm
The Plains Cree designer specializes in sculptural, avant-garde creations made out of traditional materials such as goose feathers and turkey quills.
Ayimach Horizons
With his contemporary line, Ayimach Horizons, Cree-Métis designer Jason Baerg—who also does paintings and large-scale art installations—embraces colorful and print-heavy designs.
Penny Singer
Diné designer Penny Singer offers contemporary men’s and women’s designs, including jackets, vests, and shirts—many of them adorned with striking ribbon work and upcycled appliqués.
Rebecca Baker-Grenier
Squamish and Kwakiutl designer Rebecca Baker-Grenier specializes in elegant attire, such as capes made of wool or cedar bark, or vests made of dentalium shells and beads.
Ataumbi Metals
Kiowa jewelry Keri Ataumbi’s sterling silver cuffs and statement earrings are often punctuated with a dazzling diamond (or several) and precious stones.
Jamie Okuma
Luiseño and Shoshone-Bannock fashion artist Jamie Okuma, the first Indigenous designer inducted into the CFDA, will present a new ready-to-wear and couture collection.
Golga Oscar
Yup’ik artist Golga Oscar, who is from Alaska, creates traditional headdresses, mukluks, earrings, and bags, all of which are adorned with traditional wolf furs or sealskin.
Elias Jade Not Afraid
Apsaalooké artist Elias Jade Not Afraid is known for his intricate and colorful beadwork, but this year he will also debut a full ready-to-wear collection at the Indigenous Fashion Show.
Maria Samora
From Taos Pueblo in New Mexico, jeweler Maria Samora designs sleek, minimal jewelry, including steering silver cage rings and turquoise cuffs.
Lauren Good Day
Arikara-Hidatsa-Blackfeet–Plains Cree designer Lauren Good Day produces vibrant men’s and women’s pieces that are colorful, bright, and heavy on the prints—a signature element of her work.
Growing Thunder Collective
Joyce, Juanita, and Jessa Rae Growing Thunder represent three generations of highly accomplished (and highly-skilled) artists specializing in beadwork and quillwork.
Mobilize
Nehiyaw/Woodland Cree designer Dusty LeGrande creates cool, genderless streetwear pieces that are often made from upcycled or vintage fabrics.
Teri Greeves
Kioawa beadwork artist Teri Greeves has created intricate jewelry, footwear, and more; This year, she will showcase larger-scale art pieces on deer hide canvas.
Osamuskwasis Roan
Cree and Dene designer Osamuskwasis Roan creates upbeat, colorful clothes for men and women that serve as a celebration of Indigenous joy.
Wakeah Jhane
The Comanche, Kiowa, and Blackfoot ledger artist creates artworks and tees that are printed with her original illustrated works.
Naiomi Glasses and Tyler Glasses
The two Diné weavers, who just so happen to be siblings, are renowned for their colorful hand-woven rugs, made on a traditional loom.
Pat Pruitt
The metalsmith and jeweler—who is Laguna, Chiricahua Apache, and Anglo—specializes in sleek, industrial jewelry pieces like cuffs and earrings shaped into feathers or dragonflies.
Orlando Dugi
The acclaimed Navajo fashion designer will show his new collection of men s and women s ready-to-wear as part of the annual fashion show. Glamorous eveningwear is his specialty.
Robin Waynee
Saginaw Chippewa jeweler Robin Waynee creates sophisticated pieces made of materials such as diamonds, Tahitian pearls, sapphires, and more.
Pamela Baker
Veteran designer Pamela Baker (who is MusqamaqwDzawada enuxw-Kwaguith-Tlingit-Haida) is known for her use of West Coast motifs, which she will incorporate into her elegant evening attire.
Hollis Chitto
The Laguna Pueblo, Isleta Pueblo, and Mississippi Choctaw beadwork artist creates one-of-a-kind statement bags that take many weeks, if not months, to produce.
