The Getty Museum in Los Angeles recently hosted a Fashioning Indigenous Futurism runway show featuring the works of five contemporary Indigenous designers: Jason Baerg, Orlando Dugi, Jontay Kahm, Caroline Monnet, and Jamie Okuma. The event, organized in collaboration with the Autry Museum of the American West and curated by Amber-Dawn Bear Robe, showcased innovative designs that blend traditional Indigenous artistry with contemporary fashion. The show coincided with the Autry’s exhibition, Future Imaginaries: Indigenous Art, Fashion, Technology, which explores the use of Native technologies to envision a more inclusive and sustainable future. The event was attended by VIPs such as actor Tantoo Cardinal and featured a special AR art activation by artist Virgil Ortiz.
Luiseño/Shoshone-Bannock artist Jamie Okuma opened the show with her signature Parfleche dresses and beaded accessories, followed by Diné designer Orlando Dugi’s refined menswear collection. Anishinaabe-French artist Caroline Monnet showcased theatrical designs made from repurposed materials, addressing social and environmental issues through her work. Métis designer Jason Baerg presented a collection of soft, fluid dresses designed for movement, while Rising Plains Cree designer Jontay Kahm closed the show with dramatic feather coats and beaded gowns. The designers’ innovative and creative designs were well-received by the audience of creatives in attendance.
The Fashioning Indigenous Futurism runway show at the Getty Museum was a groundbreaking event that elevated Indigenous fashion on a global stage, showcasing the designers in one of the world’s most prestigious art institutions. The event highlighted how contemporary Indigenous designers are redefining traditional craftwork in new and unexpected ways, merging Indigenous artistry and knowledge with contemporary design. The showcase emphasized the importance of mainstream fashion spaces making room for more inclusive Indigenous stories, especially as Hollywood continues to embrace Indigenous narratives in film and media.
The designers featured in the runway show are at the forefront of a movement to bring Indigenous fashion to the forefront of the fashion industry. By incorporating traditional Indigenous craftsmanship with modern design elements, they are creating pieces that are both culturally significant and fashion-forward. Their unique perspectives and innovative approaches to design are paving the way for a more diverse and inclusive fashion landscape. As the fashion industry continues to evolve and embrace different cultural influences, the work of these Indigenous designers will undoubtedly play a crucial role in shaping the future of fashion.
The event at the Getty Museum provided a platform for Indigenous designers to showcase their talents and share their cultural heritage with a wider audience. The unique blend of traditional and contemporary elements in the showcased designs served as a testament to the designers’ creativity and innovation. By celebrating Indigenous artistry and knowledge through fashion, the runway show highlighted the richness and diversity of Indigenous cultures and their contributions to the global fashion industry. Overall, the Fashioning Indigenous Futurism event was a powerful and inspiring display of Indigenous creativity and talent, signaling a promising future for Indigenous designers in the fashion world.
