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Indigenous New York Fashion Week 2026: Backstage Portraits

Portraits of the looks backstage, with photography and art direction by Two Hawks Young.

By IND Culture
Published

New York

Acosia Red Elk raises two feather fans like wings beside her beaded headpiece and single feather, against a cloudy grey sky.
Acosia Red Elk (Umatilla), in regalia, backstage at Indigenous New York Fashion Week 2026. · Two Hawks Young

Indigenous New York Fashion Week returned for its second year Sept. 10 to 15, at the American Indian Community House in Manhattan's Garment District. Thirty Indigenous designers showed across the week, with 120 models and more than 100 Nations represented.

Backstage, Two Hawks Young photographed and art-directed the looks for INYFW's lookbook. Here are 15 of them.

A model in a strapless black satin corset trimmed with braided gold cord and a woven gold hat with a black fringe veil over the face.
Kate Nelson, in Native Diva Creations. · Two Hawks Young
A model in a red blazer worn open, a beaded headband and red trousers with white stripes, beside a carved wooden post painted with red symbols.
Ty Fierce Metteba, in HAKHU. · Two Hawks Young
A model in a white crop top and frayed, bleached denim skirt holds a fringed denim piece above the head.
Kylie Vanarsdale, in Josh Tafoya (Genízaro, Spanish and Chicano). · Two Hawks Young
A model in a navy cap and a blue T-shirt reading "America looks better with us in it" over a white long-sleeve shirt, beside a carved wooden post.
Rodney Evans, in Homeland. · Two Hawks Young
A model in a black cowboy hat and a woven red, black and yellow poncho that reads "Bad Hombre Vol. 2".
Caleb Smith, in Josh Tafoya. · Two Hawks Young
A model in a navy cap, white shirt with a beaded bolo tie and brown leather trousers carries a small beaded bag, between two carved wooden posts.
Isaiah Del Welker, in Beadwork by Mikailah. · Two Hawks Young
A model with a high bun and face paint wears a yellow and olive geometric-patterned shawl over a sheer black top.
Kisik Whiskeyjack, in Kené Kaya. · Two Hawks Young
A model seated in a wheelchair wears a red striped wrap over a pale green skirt, between two carved wooden posts.
Tyler Rocio Ecoña, in Siquicha. · Two Hawks Young
A model in a cropped jacket with red and black formline designs and a long black satin skirt, beside a carved wooden post.
Imani James, in Himikalas Pam Baker (Squamish and Kwakiutl). · Two Hawks Young
A model in a red patterned cropped blazer, black shorts and glasses holds up a small red handbag.
Lily Soliel, in Kené Kaya. · Two Hawks Young
A model in a pale face mask wears a grey coat with tiered cream fringe down one side.
Kisik Whiskeyjack, in Nishina (Creator Complex). · Two Hawks Young
A model in a wide-brimmed hat wears a white knit dress with "I" and a red heart across the chest and blue-and-white fringed sleeves and hem.
Tasi, in Josh Tafoya. · Two Hawks Young
A model in a long gold fringed gown holds a checkered clutch, between two carved wooden posts.
Marry Bighorn, in KUIVITI. · Two Hawks Young
Acosia Red Elk stands with feather fans spread wide, in full regalia with a beaded headpiece and a fringed black-and-white dress, between two carved wooden posts.
Acosia Red Elk (Umatilla), in regalia. · Two Hawks Young

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