Cherokee Fashion Show Unleashes Dazzling Indigenous Designs and Jaw-Dropping Runway Spectacles!

Hold onto your hats, fashionistas! The 6th Annual Kananesgi Fashion Show in Cherokee, NC was an unforgettable feast for the eyes! The event dazzled with a vibrant showcase organized at the iconic Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort. Who was strutting down the runway? Only an all-star lineup of Indigenous designers that’ll blow your mind!

Get this—Lesley Hampton turned up with gowns that were all about glamour, featuring glittering reds, deep maroons, and queenly purples, all bedazzled to perfection. Then came Sarah Crow and Dawn Arneach with a stellar men’s streetwear line, inspired by the legendary Cherokee Uktena—think tees, button-ups, and designs bold enough to drop jaws!

And wait until you hear about Sharon Bradley! Her "From Clans to Community" collection took a page from the Seven Clans of Cherokee history with evening gowns so stunning they practically roared down the runway. The models wore vividly painted faces, making them look fiercer than ever.

Alexandria Lane, a fresh face in fashion, dropped jaws with her mystical collection of light blue and white dresses, shimmering like the Cherokee white feather capes they nodded to. Ayosta Wegusti Lossie’s skirts and gowns exploded in colors—pink, green, and blue—that embodied native elegance, all wrapped up with traditional ribbons and dazzling jewelry!

Tara McCoy took us on a wild ride with her bold designs featuring layers of mixed patterns and colors. The variety was mind-boggling! Keredith Owens followed suit with street-to-formal wear packed with traditional and modern prints—did someone say rezball style?

Next was Nancy Pheasant’s array of two and three-piece sets in audacious colors. Each piece flaunted a Kananesgi (Spider) design that popped from the back. Slick mohawks and fierce makeup meant you couldn't help but stare!

Faith Long-Presley’s collection revved up the drama with mid-century vibes, whisking us back in time with models wearing bold red lips and Audrey Hepburn pearls. Lori Sanders showcased wet satin looks—a spellbinding mix of sequin glam in red and blue.

Freida Saylor and Chi Shipman each brought their A-game, with Saylor’s dresses swirling with pinks and striking traditional earrings, while Shipman’s three-piece sets embraced sharp color schemes with capes to top off their fierce style.

Enter Malia Crowe-Skulski with her powerful mix of men’s streetwear and women’s formal attire—bold greens and deep blues creating power moments on the runway! Kim Smith introduced collections inspired by lunar phases in cosmic shades that spoke of mystical magic.

Mary Thompson’s collection? Think outlaw-cool with a country-western twist, using mighty greens and outlaw blacks! Deb West ended things on a high note with a two-piece cape outfit that took us on a color tour of purple mountains and tranquil blue florals.

Introducing Delaney Wildcatt, a new name making waves with business-casual looks that scream power. Heads were spinning over that final blue jumpsuit with its spectacular beaded Kananesgi design! Paula Wojtkowski coaxed the crowd with men’s tracksuits and women’s formal dresses cloaked in black feather capes—each model owned their monochrome palette.

And let's not forget about the Art Show’s dazzling “Feminine Roots” theme, with winners ready to be discovered here. Did you catch all this buzzing action? Trust us, you don’t want to miss out next year!