On February 26, 2026, the Southwestern Association for Indian Arts (SWAIA) announced the return of SWAIA Native Fashion Week on May 8–9, 2026, at the Eldorado Hotel & Spa in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
This year, SWAIA is tightening the scope into a curated, single-venue weekend designed to spotlight designers more directly and give guests more time with the work and the makers. Jamie Schulze, SWAIA’s executive director, said the goal is to prioritize meaningful interaction between audiences and designers by anchoring the program in one location.
The Eldorado setting also allows SWAIA to fold in the hotel’s hospitality and culinary programming, expanding the weekend beyond runway moments into a destination experience centered on Native design.
This year’s participating designers include Patricia Michaels (Taos Pueblo), Himikalas Pamela Baker (Squamish/Kwakiutl/Tlingit/Haida), Lauren Good Day (Mandan/Hidatsa/Arikara Nation), Jamie Okuma (Luiseño/Wailaki/Okinawan/Shoshone-Bannock), and Jontay Kahm (Plains Cree). Peshawn Bread (Comanche/Kiowa/Cherokee) returns as producer in partnership with SWAIA.
The weekend begins with the Native Creatives Market on both Friday and Saturday, running 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Anasazi Ballroom. SWAIA describes the market as a trunk-show-style space focused on ready-to-wear fashion and accessories, and it is free and open to the public. A Press & Designer Reception follows Friday evening (6–8 p.m.) at Cava and the Chapel (invitation only).
On Saturday, May 9, the weekend concludes with A Taste of Native Fashion Gala from 6–8:30 p.m. in the Grand Ballroom. The ticketed event pairs a seated culinary experience with fashion presentations featuring the participating designers’ collections and includes a silent auction.
Tickets and additional event details are available through the event page listed by SWAIA: https://onecau.se/_fmzf91.
Media inquiries: Audrey N. Rubinstein, 505-490-5029, audrey@themettaagency.com
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