Indigenous New York Fashion Week makes history with official global calendar debut

LENAPEHOKING — Indigenous New York Fashion Week achieved a historic milestone this month as it returned for its second annual production, becoming the first Indigenous-produced event to be officially listed on the New York Fashion Week calendar. The event, which took place from 11 to 13 September 2026, placed Indigenous designers on a global stage alongside the industry's most established names. Hosted at the American Indian Community House in the Garment District, the showcase featured over 100 models and a fully Indigenous-led production team. The shows, which were sold out throughout the weekend, presented designs across six thematic categories: Contemporary Culture, Emerging Voice, Knowledge Keepers, Thought Leaders, Luxury, and Couture. According to ICT, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani congratulated the organisers via a letter read during the opening show, acknowledging the event's inclusion in the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) schedule as a historic first. Co-founders Korina Emmerich (Puyallup) and Liana Shewey (Mvskoke) established the non-profit event in 2025 to amplify Indigenous storytellers. The 2026 edition saw significant growth, with runway presentations livestreamed by the CFDA at Rockefeller Center. Patricia Tarrant, executive director of the American Indian Community House, noted the gathering was a celebration of Indigenous culture and identity in a space that has supported the community since 1969. Designers such as Kreations by Kehala, Copper Canoe Woman, and Hakhua Amazon Designs showcased work that integrated traditional techniques like beadwork and quillwork into modern fashion. Amber-Dawn Bear Robe, an assistant professor at Parsons School of Design, told ICT that the event marks a shift in global attention toward Native design. She described the atmosphere as the emergence of an Indigenous fashion community with incredible momentum, shaping new possibilities for the future of the industry.