What does a career in fashion really look like?
It’s so much more than becoming a designer.
The Indigenous Futures in Fashion Summit is a one-day experience designed for Indigenous youth ages 15–25 who are exploring college, creative careers, and their future. Whether you’re already passionate about fashion or simply curious about what comes next after high school, this event will introduce you to an incredible range of career opportunities within one of the world’s most creative industries.
Hosted by Indigenous Futures 4EVER, 4KINSHIP, and the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) during Santa Fe Indian Market, you’ll join 150 Indigenous students from across New Mexico for a day of inspiration, mentorship, and hands-on career exploration.
Morning Session | 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM
We’ll kick off the day with donuts and iced coffee while you meet fellow students, speakers, and the FIT team before diving into an inspiring morning of presentations from some of the most exciting voices in fashion, education, business, and the creative industries.
Highlights include:
Meet the Deans of FIT’s Schools of Art & Design and Business & Technology — Troy Richards and Shannon Maher — and discover just how many different careers exist within the fashion industry, from design, textiles and product development to merchandising, marketing, business, technology, sustainability and more. They’ll also share what FIT looks for in future students and how to begin thinking about college and portfolio pathways.
Hear from award-winning Indigenous designer Josh Tafoya, recipient of the Cooper Hewitt National Design Award and an LVMH Prize semifinalist, as he shares his journey building an Indigenous luxury brand and collaborating with global companies.
Meet Jacob Sanchez, Design Director at ThunderVoice Hat Co., for a conversation about sustainability, collaboration, and building a creative career grounded in values and community.
Go behind the scenes of film and television with costume designer and supervisor Shann Otto of Dark Winds and discover the many creative careers that exist in costume, production, styling, and storytelling.
Hear from Kelly Holmes, founder of Native Max Magazine, about fashion, media, entrepreneurship, and the power of Indigenous creatives telling our own stories to the world.
Meet attorney and legal educator Justín Marcos Reyna — our “Legal Uncle” for the day — and learn what every young creative should know about collaborations, contracts, intellectual property, trademarks, and protecting what you create.
And hear directly from current FIT students visiting from New York City, moderated by nextgen designer Quentin Anderson, about what fashion school is really like — portfolios, applications, scholarships, moving away from home, life in NYC, and all the questions you actually want to ask.
Lunch | 12:00 PM
We’ll keep you fueled with Alicia’s Tortilleria burritos, giving everyone time to connect with speakers, FIT students, and new friends before the afternoon mentorship sessions begin.
Afternoon Session | 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Mentorship + Connections
The afternoon transforms into an interactive mentorship and networking experience.
Rather than simply listening to speakers, you’ll have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with designers, entrepreneurs, college representatives, community organizations, and industry professionals. Bring your questions, share your ideas, and start building relationships with people who can support what comes next.
Thinking about applying to fashion school? Bring your artwork or portfolio and connect with FIT faculty for feedback, advice, and guidance on preparing for college.
You’ll also meet our Community Outreach Partners and learn about programs, mentorship, resources, and opportunities available right here in our communities:
- Human Rights Alliance
- Protect The Sacred
- CAMP 3.0 — Cyclical Artistic Mentorship Program
- Native Change Labs
- San Juan College — Big Idea Makerspace
The goal is simple: don’t just leave inspired — leave with people to call, resources to explore, and a next step.
Discover What’s Possible
Throughout the day you’ll explore careers in:
- Fashion Design
- Business & Entrepreneurship
- Marketing & Branding
- Styling
- Costume Design
- Film & Television
- Photography
- Merchandising
- Product Development
- Textiles
- Sustainability
- Technology
- Creative Direction
- Media & Storytelling
- And many more.
Whether your dream is launching your own label, working for a global brand, designing costumes for film, becoming a creative director, building a sustainable business, or discovering a career you haven’t even heard of yet, this summit is designed to show that there is a place for Indigenous voices at every level of the fashion industry.
A Few Things to Know
- This event is for Indigenous youth ages 15–25 only.
- Students under 18 will have an organized drop-off, check-in, and check-out process to ensure everyone has a safe and enjoyable experience.
- Parents and guardians can drop students off knowing we’ve got you covered!
Come ready to be inspired, ask questions, make connections, and imagine what’s possible.
Your future starts here. We can’t wait to meet you