January 23, 2026 | Reposted from First People’s Fashion Show FB | Photo by Joe Center
Submitted by Barbara Hill
Pictured above: Tisha Thompson, Charlie Rae, and K. Francis
The Indigenous First Peoples Fashion Show was held at Estes Park, Colorado, on January 17, 2026. It is a cornerstone event of the annual First Peoples Festival, founded by Nico Strange Owl. This groundbreaking evening celebrated and amplified the voices of Indigenous designers, models, and artists, providing a powerful platform for their artistry and rich cultural heritage.
Held at the Estes Park Events Complex, the fashion show is a testament to the creativity, resilience, and unique aesthetic of Indigenous communities. The runway featured a stunning lineup of designers whose work seamlessly blends traditional techniques with contemporary aesthetics, telling stories through every thread and design.
Attendees experienced a visually captivating showcase, complemented by music, dance, and storytelling, offering a deeper understanding of the cultural significance woven into each garment. The event also featured an opening reception and designer booths, providing an opportunity for guests to purchase unique designs and jewelry directly from the artisans.
“So grateful to share this meaningful night,” shared Tish Thompson. Tisha Thompson of Tisha Thompson Designs, Miss Ganöndi:ye’s “Charli Rae” Hill and Kay Francis of K. Francis Brand networked as they attended Hémėsehe! • Let’s Eat! — A Culinary Adventure at Twin Owls Steakhouse.
For the evening, Charli Rae wore a custom look by Karen Francis of K. Francis Brand, featuring a fully beaded blue vest inspired by a 1980s prom dress, adorned with raised beadwork and pearls. The coordinating pants were designed to complement the vest and detailed with blue Swarovski crystals and white pearlescent beaded fringe. Charli Rae personalized the look by styling it with a white lace bodysuit, making the ensemble distinctly her own.
Charlie modeled multiple looks from various designers including Tisha Thompson Designs, Randi Nelson Designs, K. Francis Brand, Chelsea Nokusis, and Bobby Qalutaksraq.
Held ahead of the Indigenous First Peoples Fashion Show and the First Peoples Pow Wow, the evening celebrated Indigenous foodways, storytelling, and community. A beautiful reminder that fashion, food, and culture are deeply intertwined. Experiences like this ground us ahead of a powerful weekend in spaces that honor resilience and community.
Ruthanne Keyes, Seneca fashion student, had the opportunity to photograph the First Peoples Fashion Show from start to finish, including behind the scenes.
Ruthanne shares,“This experience gave me the opportunity to branch out further as a photographer and work with some amazing individuals throughout Turtle Island.
I captured people’s first interactions with one another, and watched how the community came together. The rehearsal was very high energy, people were moving everywhere in preparation for the show. All hands were on deck including those of two Seneca models, Sarah Nephew and Charli Rae Hill as they helped assemble clothing racks for designers. Once the clothing racks were assembled, beautiful designs started to hang off and drape over each rack.
I had the privilege photograph both of the models in partnership with the Legacy Red Bottom blanket from Naiomi Glasses. This blanket is a part of the Legacy collection. A collection that stands as a testament to the legacy of craftsmanship, and artistry flourishing across multiple generations. Through this shoot, it was very important to me to help the models embody this feeling of Native futurism yet still hold this intergenerationality aspect close to them.
This was my first fashion show I photographed but hopefully, there will be more to come. Being able to watch how each designer put their time, energy and effort carefully into their designs was so inspiring. Each and every model wore each design with such beauty and grace, bringing life into each design. I am immensely grateful for this opportunity to take part in the annual First Peoples Fashion Show in Estes Park, Colorado. We:so’ Nya:wëh.”
