32+ Indigenous-Owned Fashion Brands Celebrating Their Ancestral Cultures Through Contemporary Wearable Art
Cultural appropriation is rampant in the fashion industry, but Native and Indigenous art is often the most misappropriated by designers and fashion labels.
While there may sometimes be a fine line between artistic inspiration and cultural appropriation, Korina Emmerich of EMME put it best in a Sustainable Fashion Forum interview when she asked “why support Indigenous-inspired art when you can actually support Indigenous artists?”
And so, without further ado, here are Indigenous artists, fashion designers, and brands with authentic Native American, First Nations, and Aboriginal-designed apparel, shoes, accessories, jewelry, and more.
APPAREL
4Kinship
4Kinship (formerly Orenda Tribe) curates stand-out vintage and upcycled clothing, plus one-of-a-kind accessories that are handmade by Indigenous artists.
Ginew
As the first and only Native American-owned denim line, Ginew incorporates elements of the founders' Ojibwe, Oneida, & Mohican heritage in their meticulously-crafted apparel and accessories.
b.YELLOWTAIL
b.yellowtail features clothing designed by Northern Cheyenne & Crow fashion designer Bethany Yellowtail and jewelry & accessories handmade by Native American, First Nation, and Indigenous creators.
Liandra Swim
Premium swimwear brand Liandra Swim uses prints inspired by Aboriginal Australian culture. Liandra Swim is incorporating more eco-friendly practices too, with their recent collection being made from regenerated plastics.
Kuychi Cauldron
Maria K'uychi Huaman Calderon is an Indigenous Peruvian American folk artist. Each of her creations are one-of-a-kind, made from fibers like hemp or raw silk and dyed with natural plant and insect dyes.
Anne Mulaire
Fashion designer Anne Mulaire is of French Métis descent and her fashion brand was founded on Ojibwe/French principles to “respect all people and honor the planet we share". The brand has loungewear, basics, and other clothing.
Urban Native Era
As an Indigenous-owned fashion brand, Urban Native Era uses apparel and design to increase the visibility of Indigenous news. Some of their slogans include “You are on native land” and “Indigenous Peoples Day is every day.”
Jamie okuma
Artist Jamie Okuma is Luiseno, Shoshone-Bannock, Wailaki, and Okinawan crafting one-of-a-kind ready-to-wear fashion. Jamie creates art to wear (clothing) art to adorn (jewelry + other goods).
Lauren Good day
Lauren Good Day is an Arikara, Hidatsa, Blackfeet and Plains Cree artist. The designer and artist's latest collection ‘Ree-Mixed', bridges the “tradition of excellence with cultural continuance.”
CURTIS OLAND
Lil’Wat-Canadian fashion designer and interdisciplinary artist Curtis Oland crafts raw yet elevated designs. Oland's work has been influenced by supernatural, mountainous landscapes of his homeland, and his experiences as an international nomad.
OXDX
Based in Tempe, Arizona, OXDX is a Diné-owned streetwear clothing brand. Artist, designer, and owner Jared Yazzie uses statement tees, artwork, and stickers to raise awareness of Indigenous issues. Jared's designs include statements like “Native Americans Discovered Columbus” and "Together We Rise".
Evan Ducharme
Evan Ducharme's "work explores Metis identity and it’s culturaliconography, with particular focus on creating images of contemporary Indigeneity, reclamation of Indigenous sexualities, and a commitment to environmentally conscious practices."
Mobilize
Mobilize is a Cree-owned street style brand bringing representation for Indigenous peoples through bold artwork printed on tees & hoodies. The mission of Mobilize is to empower, educate, elevate, and help others find — and take pride in — their identity.
SHOES & ACCESSORIES
ThunderVoice Eagle
Native American fashion brand ThunderVoice Eagle crafts their hats thoughtfully from repurposed and reclaimed materials, like leather store scraps or secondhand t-shirts out of respect for Mother Earth and as a way to honor the cycle of life.
White Bear Moccasins
Handmade and customizable, White Bear Moccasins offers the opportunity to pick your preferred style, hide (bison, deerskin, or buckskin) and design details. White Bear Moccasins’ owner and maker Shauna White Bear is from the Arikara Nation out of North Dakota.
Outlier Leather Co.
Outlier Leather Co. is a Cree owned and operated accessories brand with handcrafted wallets, tote bags, coin holders, and belts. Each product is cut and sewn in-house, making every piece one-of-a-kind.
MANITOBAH MUKLUKS
North America's original winter boot, Manitobah Mukluks makes authentic traditional mukluks. The Indigenous-owned brand collaborates with Indigenous artists and makers, and even produces 20% of their footwear in an Indigenous-owned facility in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Eighth Generation
With the tagline, ‘Inspired Natives, Not Native Inspired’, Eighth Generation curates artwork, home decor, accessories and more crafted by Indigenous artists.
Jamie Gentry Designs
Founder Jamie Gentry, from the Kwakwaka’wakw Nation, lovingly handcrafts traditional, custom-made moccasins and wraps for her namesake label.
EMME
New York-based fashion label EMME has clothing and accessories made from upcycled, recycled, and natural materials. EMME founder and artist Korina Emmerich's Indigenous heritage stems from The Coast Salish Territory, Puyallup tribe.
Makwa Studio
Textile artist and designer Maggie Thompson crafts scarves, hats, clothing, and jewelry for her label, Makwa Studio. Maggie's derives her inspiration from her Ojibwe heritage.
JEWELRY
Maria Samora
Native American artist Maria Samora crafts wearable art (i.e. jewelry) that is simple, modern, and elegant. Maria's handmade pieces are inspired by geometric shapes and natural elements — the award-winning artist's jewelry has been called ‘simple contemporary perfection'.
Copper Canoe Woman Creations
Vina Brown, the founder and owner of Copper Canoe Woman Creations, crafts modern statement pieces that incorporate elements of Vina's Indigenous culture and identity. Elegant yet strong, Copper Canoe Woman's sculptural pieces embody resilience and grace.
ATAUMBI METALS
The daughter of a Kiowa mother who ran a trading post and an Italian-American father who was a sculptor, Keri Ataumbi's work is informed by both Native American aesthetics and contemporary art theory. Ataumbi uses ‘traditional Kiowa imagery and materials in a contemporary form’ to craft her one-of-a-kind jewelry.
Catherine Blackburn
Artist and jeweler Catherine Blackburn, a member of the English River First Nation with Dene and European ancestry, merges the traditional with the contemporary, incorporating elements of traditional Dene culture in her work. Her handmade jewelry is edgy yet glamorous, refined yet functional.
Quill Bill Creations
Quill Bill Creations specializes in quillwork, a unique, sacred art form that is indigenous to the peoples of North America. Creating a variety of striking pieces, including jewelry, face masks, and hats, Quill Bill's striking porcupine quillwork and beadwork is truly exceptional.
Warren Steven Scott
Luxury fashion designer Warren Steven Scott is a member of the Nlaka’pamux Nation. ‘His collection bridges the Western concept of luxury fashion with his ancestral worldview on ethics, craft, and aesthetic sensibility, representing a distinct contribution to a genuine Canadian fashion.’
Hand of Solomon
Ojibwe artist Louise Solomon creates sleek, edgy jewelry that still honors and embodies the spiritual and cultural values of her Ojibwe heritage.
Kristen Dorsey DESIGNS
A citizen of the Chickasaw Nation, Kristen Dorsey utilizes traditional materials, techniques, and takes design inspiration from Chickasaw culture for her signature jewelry (which is made using recycled metals).
Robin Waynee
Robin Waynee is an artist and a member of the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe. Robin learned her first jewelry skills from her father, Robert Lone Eagle Waynee, and is now an internationally award-winning jeweler.
Running Fox Beads
Dene artist Skye Paul sustains traditional skills and knowledge through her artistic practices of beadwork and illustration. Skye's work connects her Indigenous heritage with her urban surroundings, creating pieces that go ‘beyond conventional artistic boundaries'.
JShine Designs
100% Indigenous owned, JShine Designs was founded by Cree artist Jessica Sanderson-Barry. Her jewelry and accessories incorporate natural elements from the land, including hides, porcupine quills, and animal shells.
Shinlí Niintaih
Founded by Elaine Alexie, a member of the Teetl’it Gwich’inShinli’ Niintaih First Nation, Shinli' Niintai translates to ‘strong hands’ or ‘my hands are getting strong’. Elaine's jewelry and beadwork is currently available on Etsy; for more on Teetl’it Gwich’in culture and art, check out Elaine's blog.
Cheyanne Symone
Handcrafted slowly and thoughtfully by Indigenous women from across Turtle Island/America, Cheyanne Symone's timeless, elegant jewelry is reflective of modern Native American beadwork. Committed to creating jewelry that lasts, Cheyanne Symone will repair earrings for customers anytime.
Jennifer's Copper and silver
Award-winning Tlingit artist Jennifer Younger creates exceptional, stand-out jewelry from hand-carved copper and silver. Jennifer's collection features hand-hammered copper cuffs, brushed sterling silver earrings, and other pieces inspired by Tlingit formline designs, historic artificats and the texture of metals.
Aonehc AONEHC
Indigenous bead artist Chenoa Williams (Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe) creates one-of-a-kind beaded jewelry and stickers. Check out AonehcAonehc.com for a look at what's currently available, and see Chenoa's previous work on Instagram (@aonehc_aonehc).
Lily Hope
The work of artist Lily Hope “emerges from a foundation of traditional training in Northwest Coast textiles, elevating Chilkat design to explore current and historical cultural expression.” Lily Hope's hand-woven earrings are inspired by nature and made using Chilkat techniques, often with ancient or contemporary Ravenstail patterns.
Rico Worl
Rico Lanáat’ Worl is a Tlingit/Athabacan designer whose “work speaks to the experience of living with traditional values as a modern person.” Rico's shop features unique stickers and silver jewelry and Rico also runs the Indigenous design shop Trickster Company with his sister Crystal.
A few more to check out:
