SWAIA Native Fashion Week Returns to Santa Fe with a Curated, Story-Driven Format for 2026
SWAIA Native Fashion Week returns May 8–9, 2026 in Santa Fe with a refined, single-venue format designed to elevate Native designers through deeper storytelling, immersive experiences, and a destination-style weekend at the Eldorado Hotel & Spa.
Canada Arts & Fashion Awards Introduces the Inaugural Indigenous Fashion Award Honouree: Dorothy Grant
The Canadian Arts & Fashion Awards has named Dorothy Grant as the inaugural Indigenous Fashion Award honouree, recognizing more than four decades of groundbreaking work. A Haida artist and designer who pioneered the fusion of traditional Haida formline with high fashion, Grant’s legacy spans international museum collections, the Order of Canada, and a historic acquisition by the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Her career has not only reshaped Canadian fashion, but firmly positioned Indigenous excellence at its center.
SECTION 35 Nominated for Menswear of the Year at CAFA 2026
Section 35 has been nominated for Menswear of the Year at CAFA 2026, recognizing founder Justin Jacob Louis for his bold, sovereignty-driven approach to contemporary Indigenous fashion. What began as a vision rooted in identity and resistance now stands among Canada’s top menswear brands.
Heather Diamond Strongarm Nominated for Model of the Year at the 2026 Canadian Arts & Fashion Awards
Indigenous supermodel Heather Diamond Strongarm has been nominated for Model of the Year at the 2026 Canadian Arts & Fashion Awards. From opening Dior in Paris to advocating for MMIW and LGBTQ+ communities, the Saulteaux-Cree model continues to redefine what representation looks like on the global runway.
SACRD THNDR Recognized as Emerging Talent at the 2026 Canadian Arts & Fashion Awards
SACRD THNDR has been nominated for Emerging Talent in Accessories at the 2026 Canadian Arts & Fashion Awards (CAFA), marking a significant milestone for the Indigenous luxury brand.
