In the Tarzana neighborhood of Los Angeles, Quannah Chasinghorse (Hän Gwich’in/Sičangu Lakota/Oglala Lakota) is resting in a white chair while she’s getting her hair and makeup done. It’s a very bright, hot–albeit warm for California’s standards, this is certainly different compared to Denver, where our headquarters are–afternoon at the Caster House, a famed location commonly booked for high-end fashion photo shoots, commercials, movie shoots, and events. Today, we have it all to ourselves for the cover shoot with Quannah. Native makeup brands sprinkled the table’s top with Native jewelry spread across the counter.
With over 307 thousand Instagram followers and a modeling career that includes working with SavagexFenty, Chanel, Calvin Klein, and Gucci, and gracing the covers of ELLE, Porter, and VOGUE Mexico, Quannah is establishing her career as the Indigenous supermodel of our generation. From a great distance, the life of a supermodel looks to be glamorous–free trips, exclusive invitations, and influential status. But for Quannah, it’s different. In the fashion world, she continually fights for herself and the ability to be her authentic self and not put into a box. Quannah takes advantage of opportunities to educate and share about her people. She’s committed to her deep connection to the land and advocates for the planet while representing and supporting her people. Quannah considers herself a climate warrior and land protector who takes full advantage of her platform as a model to bring attention and awareness to issues such as the accurate representation of her people and land.
I casually take a seat across from Quannah with my recorder in hand. Instantly, we talk about our shared experiences with modeling, all in a casual conversation. She opened up about her first glance into the modeling world when she was mesmerized by a 24-hour fashion channel on TV as a child. Quannah’s future was written by her hand, where she manifested her whole career from that point in time. Then, 12-year-old Quannah took to the internet for modeling agencies, with one, in particular, catching her eye. “Looking at IMG Models and going through their website, wishing one day I would be able to make it on one of these agencys’ websites. I never would’ve thought it would’ve been my dream agency, which was IMG, because they’re worldwide,” she gleamed.
“When I signed with them, I just remember saying and thinking in my head of the little girl inside of me because there’s that little girl still living there; she’s there inside of me, and every time I do a runway show, a shoot or something the little girl inside of me is screaming.” Quannah shows us photos her mom took of when she was a little girl, where she posed anytime she could when her family took a train from Mongolia throughout Europe. “She took me to the fashion capital, and on this fashion strip is Louis Vuitton and Dior. Everywhere I went, I was posing and was just so happy.” “How cute, it’s baby Quannah!” I shrieked as she showed off a photo of a little girl wearing pink sunglasses and a shirt with bananas and a monkey on the front, striking a pose. “You did that by yourself? Your mom didn’t tell you to pose?” I asked. “She would actually tell me to pose next to my brother. He would get so annoyed. He wouldn’t want to take photos with me.” she laughed. “I love it. I’m still like that to this day. I love what I do. It’s hard and challenging sometimes, but it’s worth it.”
As Quannah got older, she didn’t think she’d make it in the industry because of the reality Native people face; there are not many Natives, and the little representation there isn’t accurate representation due to white-washing. “It isn’t true to who we are as Indigenous people,” Quannah said. Despite that, here she is: well into her burgeoning career, Quannah’s positioned herself as a staple in fashion weeks and campaigns while pridefully donning her traditional tattoos. Reflecting on the hard work it takes Native women to make it in the fashion industry, I agree. “It’s pretty cool to help pave paths for our people, although it’s exhausting,” I said. Quannah added, “your heart was in the right place. That’s the most important thing when your heart’s in the right place, you recognize how hard it is…my Indigenous model friends and I were always talking about this, how we have to work extra hard…to be seen, to be recognized, and to be included.” Despite the struggles, Quannah’s proud when she books jobs. “Even though it takes a toll on us because it makes us feel some sort of way about ourselves, we still do it knowing that when we do book jobs and we get that representation…other people see that, so it shows them that it’s possible. It’s hard, but it’s possible, and we do belong in these spaces.” Although she is bringing Indigenous representation to the fashion industry, Quannah knows she isn’t the spokesperson for all of Indian Country. “In recognizing that and not trying to be a face for every tribe. When people ask me about other tribes, I’m like, ‘we’re not all the same, and we don’t have the same traditions and regalia. We are all different.”
Quannah’s first look to shoot is the blue gown adorned with handpainted gold dentalium by Dakota and Assiniboine designer Norma Flying Horse of Red Berry Woman. To complement the outfit, Quannah gets a whole glam look, complete with a bubble gum pink lip, something we haven’t seen on her yet. I mentioned how this look was for her out of the ordinary, as she models natural looks in much of her photos. “During fashion week, when I go to events, designers will send me outfits, and they’ll be like, ‘alright, show up however you want… here’s an outfit, you can style it…you can do your own makeup and hair, or we can hire someone to do it for you.’ I’m like, ‘no, I’ll do it!’ Then I do my makeup all cute,” she recalled. “That could box you in too with giving you a natural look. As if Native people aren’t capable of wearing their makeup or hair in bold styles,” I replied. “Like we gotta keep it natural. That’s why I always say they try to have us fit in this stereotypical box that we don’t fit in. We are so much more than what they see us as,” she added.
Quannah’s modeling resume is getting more impressive by the day, yet she is incredibly charming and unbelievably humble. Time and time again, she gets excited over the pretty blue gown she has on and reaffirms how appreciative she is to have the chance to wear a piece of her favorite designer. I’m proud to see Quannah continue to be a voice for her people while supporting Native designers and artists throughout her fashion journey. Nearing the end of our interview, we hugged and told each other to keep in touch.
Kelly: In greater detail, how did you get into modeling?
Quannah: How I got exposed to modeling was my mom escaping domestic violence and going to Mongolia. My grandparents lived out in the world in Indigenous communities there, helping build houses. My grandpa was super into logging, so he went there to help communities. My mom was like, “I’m going to just go there and try to figure out my life and what I want to do next. Heal a little bit.” We all spoke fluent Mongolian; when you’re a little kid, you pick up on stuff like that a lot quicker, so my brother and I spoke fluently, but she had a harder time. So she hated listening to the TV because they talked too fast and she couldn’t keep up, but we could. So she put on a random channel, and it was this 24-hour fashion channel of just a bunch of runway shows. I became mesmerized by it, and after that, I posed everywhere. When we came back here to the US, they didn’t have a channel like that, but they did have America’s Next Top Model. So that was like my favorite thing to watch. That’s how I got exposed to modeling.
Kelly: What was one of your favorite shoots or shows you modeled in?
Quannah: My favorite show to walk in was Gabriela Hurst because that was the second show I had ever walked, and I opened and closed the show, which was like such a dream. And not only did I open and close it but some of the clothes in the show and some of the pieces were collaborations with other Indigenous artists. So many of the clothes were collaborations with Indigenous artists around the world, not just in Turtle Island, and to hire Indigenous models, to showcase that respectfully and collaborate instead of cultural appropriating. It was like a big moment and a big thing. I felt so honored to be a part of that. To also be in a space where there were other Indigenous models too. It was so cool.
Kelly: Who are some of your favorite Native artists or designers right now?
Quannah: Jamie Okuma, B. Yellowtail, Red Berry Woman. There are quite a few others too. I think our people have so much beauty in creativity, so much to share and give to the world, and we don’t get that recognition. So being someone that can bring that to the fashion world and showcase that and represent, that’s important. I think of Indigenous jewelry as luxury pieces, just like diamonds. This is like diamonds to me. So representing that and showing the world our true beauty with our traditional jewelry and regalia. It’s amazing.
Kelly: You’ve distinguished yourself as a protector rather than an activist in the Calvin Klein video. Could you please explain your take on being a protector versus an activist?
Quannah: I feel like when people call me an activist, it kind of generalizes me to any activist, which is good. We want people to be advocates for whatever they believe in. We want that, and we need that. That’s beautiful to continue to do so. But for me, it’s a little deeper than just standing up for something that I believe in. It’s that I’m genuinely protecting my ways of life, parts of our culture and traditions that were almost completely wiped away, and reviving that and bringing that and showcasing that to the world. Being someone that has been at the front lines, showing up, lobbying at the capital in DC, doing stuff like that opened my eyes to many different things. It made me realize too that I’m doing it not for myself either; it’s for the greater good and for my people in the future generations to continue to thrive and live our ways of life and practice our culture and traditions without feeling threatened.
Kelly: How do you use your platform to advocate for water rights in the Indigenous community?
Quannah: I try my best to use my platform, not just for myself and to share whatever successes I may be given in these opportunities, but I try my best to uplift my Native community and educate people on different issues, not just within my specific community, but communities all over Turtle Island and beyond that because there are Indigenous people all over the world. So being able to have solidarity and Indigenous sovereignty as a collective it’s a whole thing. It’s not just individual things. It’s very collective as a whole and very community-oriented. So to be able to uplift that, educate and show people that, it’s really important.
Kelly: This is for the Expanding Indigenous Womanhood issue. What does it mean for you to be on the cover of this issue?
Quannah: I feel very honored, and I truly thank my people for continuing on this journey with me. I wouldn’t be here without my people. To also just uplift every other Indigenous woman that I meet, because I know everyone shares a certain amount of trauma of their own and also intergenerational trauma to be able to uplift one another and heal and be in community with one another and learn from each other and share experiences, stories, and whatever it may be; it’s an honor, and I think this issue is so important and I think it’ll be very good for other Indigenous young girls and women to see.
Kelly: I know you talked a bit of this in your talk when you were doing your makeup, but I want you to elaborate just a little bit more. Do you typically model for brands or people who value whose values align with yours?
Quannah: Yeah. So in the industry, in the beginning, it can be sometimes tricky because you’re just trying to get recognized. You’re just trying to book a job, but I have a really good team that advocates for me too, and what I believe in, and when I’m not comfortable, they stand up for me and make it to where I am comfortable. So having a team that understands that, with great communication, you can tell them, “I want to just work with people that stick to my values,” and they respect that. That’s a big thing in the industry: having that basic respect, you know?
I think it’s important; not all the time will I be put in a position where I have to choose yes or no. Sometimes I can just say no because it doesn’t align with what I believe in. I have done jobs that haven’t completely aligned with my values and stuff. I learn from them; you live and learn and grow from them. So being in the industry and learning and growing at a young age, it’s interesting navigating that world because I’m not used to this high fashion, fast-paced world. I’m used to being in the woods. So just going from that to navigating that world can be tricky, but genuinely just keeping that communication open with your team is important. Having that basic respect so that you can continue representing your people in the right way.
Kelly: You’re one of the only models who have face tattoos. Why is this so special to you, and why is this monumental for the fashion industry?
Quannah: I received my first one at a very young age when I was 14, and I was the first young girl in my tribe to receive it in over a century. Elders and older women just started reclaiming that tradition. Normally we’d get them at a young age, around 12 to 14 years. For me to receive it and continue my journey with these tattoos, it’s so important to be on the cover of a magazine and showcase my tattoos and represent them. People see them, and they recognize that this is something that was almost banned and wiped away from our people. Here we are reclaiming these practices that were seen as demonic. They demonized a lot of our traditions and ways when it was such beautiful art that’s sacred to us. So being someone that can showcase my tattoos and educate and encourage other young girls and women to reclaim that part of themselves and reconnect and build that relationship with our traditional tattoos and our ways of life is an honor. I think it’s really important for Indigenous girls to see that on the cover of a magazine because they won’t feel ashamed.
Kelly: What is your schedule like nowadays?
Quannah: My schedule nowadays is all over the place. I never really know what I’m doing until I do it. There are a lot of things that come and go, and I can say yes or no to certain things. It’s becoming a lot easier because at first, it was just like one thing after another, trying to get a job. Now it’s like I can relax a little bit more. I’m getting more used to it, but definitely, my schedule’s always kind of up in the air, and we don’t know what’s going on until like last second because things in the fashion world just happen so fast things, but it’s fun. It keeps me going, excited about what’s going to happen next where I am going to be next.
Kelly: What is your dream modeling job?
Quannah: That’s a hard one, honestly. I think I just achieved so much of my childhood dreams through modeling in my advocacy. One thing interesting for me is that I love runway and editorial, and campaigns. But I think one thing that I truly get excitement from is walking for different designers because that’s something that I got attached to as a young girl from watching those fashion channels and runway shows all the time. That’s like what made me want to model in the first place. So I think one designer would definitely be Versace or Chloe and Gabriela Hearst are good brands and designers to work with because not only are they very sustainable, but they’re very inclusive, so working with them has been amazing and honor. Just continuing that relationship with them is really important to me.
Kelly: In our Heritage issue, a fellow model and director Peshawn Bread addressed the shaming of sexuality in Native communities. How do you navigate body sovereignty and empower yourself despite the pushback from the community?
Quannah: No matter who is saying what, negative or positive, you just have to look within yourself. This one girl said in her post about not hanging with jealous people because it becomes a disease and it eats you from the inside out. Having compassion for those people and sending them love, and just reflecting within yourself and giving yourself that love because you deserve it and not allowing society’s image of what a woman should be or what anyone should be.
Whether you’re tall, skinny, no matter what, you’re still beautiful. Everyone has their own true, authentic beauty, whether inside, outside, or both. We need to start recognizing that. It’s also cool to work with brands that are also inclusive with body image. I love working with models of all shapes, sizes, colors, races; it’s an honor to be in those spaces with them because we all do bring our own true, authentic beauty and to recognize that and not let society’s vision of what a woman or person should look like or dress like, just be who you want to be, be who you are, embrace every little thing that is you. Don’t let anyone or anything, this world or society, control how you live your life and how you see yourself because we’re so much more than what people, society, or the world fits us. I feel like we’re constantly being put in the stereotypical box that we just don’t fit in. Expand your mind and allow yourself to be who you are and not be ashamed of it. It’s so important.
Kelly: What advice would you give to someone just starting modeling?
Quannah: I would just say embrace everything. Every experience, whether it be bad or good, because you learn from both. Embrace your beauty and try not to compare yourself to other models because that is something that many models do in the industry. For me, I was raised in a way that I was taught not to compare myself too much because not only would it affect me, but it would affect the way you treat others, and it would affect them as well. So just carry good energy, allow yourself to be your true, authentic self, and don’t try to act like someone you’re not. Don’t try to put on whatever you think other people want to see you as. Be yourself, wear what you want, do your makeup, do your hair; however, rock who you are as a person, and the right people in the industry will recognize that. They will recognize your true, authentic beauty. That’s how you rise in a world like this just by owning that.
