Couture fashion brand ACONAV hosted their first-ever solo showcase as a part of the Santa Fe Indian Market celebration on Friday, August 20. The solo showcase took place on the plaza at Samsville Gallery inside Paso de Luz mall. The showcase featured ACONAV’s newest collection, Harmony in an intimate, invite-only fashion show and was produced in collaboration with Samsville Gallery and Fox Clan Productions.
This year the Native American label has been taken up by a forward-thinking, contemporary gallery in the city of Santa Fe, for one of a kind showcase that kicked off the Santa Fe Indian Market weekend. Loren Aragon (Acoma Pueblo), CEO & Designer of ACONAV, is pleased to announce his latest collaboration with the renowned Samsville Gallery. This collaboration which had been in the works for the months prior to the market weekend, displayed the talents of Loren on a dedicated runway that debuted a much-anticipated capsule collection on the evening of Friday, August 20th.
“I am excited to announce the new partnership with Samsville Gallery”, stated Loren. “Market time is always the perfect opportunity to display my fashions to a greater audience that includes visitors from around the world.” The pandemic brought many challenges to the Native market scene in 2020, especially with the cancellation of the largest and most prestigious Native art market, the Santa Fe Indian Market. The market is a launching platform for many of Loren’s latest creations and this year was no different. Even with the limitations placed on the market due to COVID this year, both artists and collectors anticipated a tremendous return to the Santa Fe Plaza. Artists and buyer connections are made every year at the market.
The unity between ACONAV and the Samsville Gallery was among one of the most celebrated highlights this year, in which Loren had the opportunity to debut a new collection. “The Harmony Collection was launched to honoring the union between ACONAV and Samsville”, says Loren. “The collection pays homage to the centuries-old Acoma pottery art expressed in timeless contemporary styles”. The Samsville gallery has been in Santa Fe for several years and showcases some of the finest Native American jewelry and art collections from renowned indigenous artists. “For the past 27 years we have worked alongside indigenous communities to present the finest southwest culture.” said Sam Abweh, owner of Samsville, “Now is our greatest pleasure to welcome ACONAV and unveil to you the new Samsville fashion line.”
The first-ever solo presentation of creations by Loren was held at the Samsville Gallery inside the Paso de Luz mall on Friday evening. “Among the many gallery receptions and events that start the weekend each year, this is one that I want to stay and grow in the years to come,” stated Loren. As the music, lights, and staging area came together, the team at Samsville put a tremendous effort into this show as a highlight on the Santa Fe plaza. Spectators were drawn to the stage with classy originals of a live jazz band and one by one the captivating looks of ACONAV strutted down the runway. When the show was over, the party continued and all were invited to witness and shop Loren’s creations in a specially dedicated gallery space. “This is a dream coming true,” said Loren. “The display of Native fashion on a continuing basis, in a city it truly belongs in, is now the goal. My hope is that this will be an inspiration to all emerging indigenous designers.”
The signature designs of the ACONAV brand are a must-see in City Different. All fans, visitors, and fashionistas are welcome to Samsville Gallery located on the plaza at 66 East San Francisco Street, Suites 12-14, Santa Fe, NM. 87501 to shop ACONAV pieces and designs.
Check out the looks from the showcase:
Photo by Will Kee/Urban Image Photo by Will Kee/Urban Image Photo by Will Kee/Urban Image Photo by Will Kee/Urban Image Photo by Will Kee/Urban Image Photo by Will Kee/Urban Image Photo by Will Kee/Urban Image Photo by Will Kee/Urban Image Photo by Will Kee/Urban Image Photo by Will Kee/Urban Image Photo by Will Kee/Urban Image Photo by Will Kee/Urban Image Photo by Will Kee/Urban Image Photo by Will Kee/Urban Image Photo by Will Kee/Urban Image Photo by Will Kee/Urban Image Photo by Will Kee/Urban Image Photo by Will Kee/Urban Image Photo by Will Kee/Urban Image Photo by Will Kee/Urban Image Photo by Will Kee/Urban Image Photo by Will Kee/Urban Image Photo by Will Kee/Urban Image Photo by Will Kee/Urban Image Photo by Will Kee/Urban Image Photo by Will Kee/Urban Image Photo by Will Kee/Urban Image Photo by Will Kee/Urban Image
ACONAV is a leading fashion brand in the southwest gaining popularity with its unique combination of Native American culture and modern style. The brand celebrates the strength of women through empowering designs authentically inspired by Acoma Pueblo pottery and shared matrilineal beliefs by neighboring indigenous tribes.