4KINSHIP HOSTS INDIGENOUS LED SUSTAINABLE FASHION EVENT

Navajo Brand 4KINSHIP presents a New Wave of Native Fashion at Sustainable Fashion Event

Council of Fashion Designers of America supports CFDA Interim Member Josh Tafoya recognizing the importance of Indigenous and BIPOC-led design

Santa Fe, NM - 4KINSHIP hosted WE BELONG HERE, an Indigenous-led sustainable fashion event for the one year anniversary of its flagship shop during the world-renowned Santa Fe Indian Market. WE BELONG HERE celebrated reclaiming the land by hosting an intimate evening in community with Indigenous and POC luminaries. The evening served to elevate and amplify emerging and established talents through an Indigenous-led fashion event honoring future generations. 

4KINSHIP is dedicated to celebrating visionary creatives that break the mold. From handwoven textiles to upcycled artwear, from spoken word to expressive dance, WE BELONG HERE was a world-weaving event lifting up radical imagineers who meet the challenges of climate change and sustainability with creative genius. The underground affair showcased LGBTQ+ artists and models who honor their lineage in brilliant, rebellious style. 4KINSHIP’s founder, Amy Denet Deal was honored to welcome respected and beloved community leaders whose work has centered on community action and environmental justice.

The WE BELONG HERE  event featured original works by CFDA Interim Member Josh Tafoya, as well as  Steven Paul Judd, Sheridan MacKnight,  Lehi Thunder Voice Eagle,  Di’Orr Greenwood , Peyton Alex, Shawn Harrison, Lily Yeung, Indi City, Randy L Barton,  Jay Smiley, Tytianna Harris, Natasha Ashley Brokeshoulder , Ginew, and 4KINSHIP’s Amy Denet Deal. The event featured sound art by Ryan Dennison, movement art by Raven Bright, Than Povi Martinez, Crickett Tiger and spoken word by Kinsale Drake. 

“The CFDA is very proud to include Josh Tafoya within its membership roster – and celebrate his exemplary talent, which was on full display this weekend at 4KINSHIP’s “We Belong Here” event. His ability to honor his heritage while elevating American fashion design and craftsmanship is noteworthy, to say the least.  Our organization is most appreciative for Amy Denet Deal, who works tirelessly year-round to bring visibility and support to indigenous creatives.” -LISA SMILOR , Executive Vice President, CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers of America)

“There’s no one doing what Amy at 4KINSHIP is doing. She has such a contemporary and new wave view on design. I love being a part of what she is doing.” -JOSH TAFOYA, CFDA Interim Member 

“Fashion is a reflection of our history, struggles, triumphs, and can no longer be gatekept or silenced. 

In the predominately white-run commercial environment of Santa Fe it is vital to have authentic native owned and operated space like 4KINSHIP, in order to reclaim our narrative, showcase our living culture, and stand in solidarity with Mother Earth by implementing sustainable method of creation. It’s time to be free, to cater to no one but ourselves and celebrate our heritage, unshackled and unapologetic.” -LEHI THUNDER VOICE EAGLE, FOUNDER OF THUNDERVOICE HAT CO + KIN CO.

“Working with our kin means bringing all four directions together in this time and space to honour blood memory trade routes that existed since time immemorial. When we light these energetic grids we are reestablishing and honouring the work our ancestors did.” -ANGEL AUBICHON, Co-Founder of Indi City

Other Native creatives who shined at WE BELONG HERE were incredible photographer Leah Rose, videographer Wade Adakai, and Indigenous models  Juliana Brown Eyes, Kami Jo White Clay, Kelly Bedoni, Melaina Shirley, Midnite Lujan, Tessema Meredith, and Ty Fierce Metteba.

“Dancing in spaces like this really helps create connection through movement. We all come from different places, but we share that similarity. I was excited to let people into our world of movement and give them a taste of WHO WE ARE.” - RAVEN BRIGHT , Movement Artist from Dancing Earth Org

“I admire many of the artists participating, and I'm thrilled at being paired with a talented designer like Sheridan. Her work reflects many similar themes in my writing.”-KINSALE DRAKE, Award Winning Diné Poet

With the steadfast support of Grammy winning singer-songwriter and mental health pioneer Jewel and her 501c3, Inspiring Children Foundation, 4KINSHIP has been able to steward several vital community projects: #DinéSkateGardenProject, Voices of Siihasin, Voices of Hwodzil, and most recently WE BELONG HERE. Inspiring Children Foundation allied WE BELONG HERE as fiscal agents to create 4KINSHIP Indigenous Futures Fund. The 4KINSHIP Indigenous Futures Fund (501C3) offered a heart-led, revolutionary opportunity for communities and allies to cultivate the careers of emerging Native and POC artists. 100% of funds raised will be equally distributed to the creative talent line up of WE BELONG HERE. Many of the one-of-a-kind wearable works from WE BELONG HERE can now be purchased through 4KINSHIP online, with 100% profits going back to the artists. 

“ I believe in the work 4KINSHIP is doing and the beauty Amy creates. I believe in supporting these young artists. It’s an honor for Inspiring Children Foundation to be able to stand with Indigenous Futures.” -JEWEL, Grammy Winning Singer/Songwriter, Mental Health Pioneer and Co-Founder of Inspiring Children Foundation

“ As a Dziil Asdzáán (Diné woman) that leads an upcycled artwear collective, I’m committed to show up with integrity and care for our community so our WE BELONG HERE creatives can thrive. As native people we celebrate reciprocity, and live in balance by giving back . 4KINSHIP INDIGENOUS FUTURES FUND is a way all our young relatives participating can flourish. ” - AMY DENET DEAL, 4KINSHIP Diné Founder 

ABOUT 4KINSHIP:

4KINSHIP is a Diné (Navajo) owned sustainable artwear brand dedicated to producing handmade, one of a kind, restored, repurposed and lovingly upcycled, artisanal and small batch products. Our inspiration is all that surrounds us here in the Southwest. The clouds, the sky, the mountains, the land, which has led our founder back to New Mexico, and back to her Diné tribe. Founded in 2015 by Amy Denet Deal, fueled by a desire to honor her Indigeneity, and to be of service to commUNITY. In 2019 Amy relocated to New Mexico to reintegrate with her tribe shortly before the pandemic hit, and spent 2020 helping to provide mutual aid relief for relatives on Navajo Nation. The WE BELONG HERE event is a continuation on 4KINSHIP’s community care efforts, nurturing Indigenous and POC talent in the arts. For more information, visit www.4kinship.com. 

ABOUT 4KINSHIP INDIGENOUS FUTURES FUND:

4KINSHIP INDIGENOUS FUTURES FUND is a partnership between 4KINSHIP and Inspiring Children’s Foundation and is  committed to seeing Indigenous and POC artists receive equitable opportunities to thrive in their craft. 100% of funds raised through the tax-deductible goes back to the artistry of WE BELONG HERE allowing each creative a professional opportunity to design quality work and to showcase their unique talent before the community and press. The fund also was created to support other mutual aid projects like Diné Skate Garden Project and Modern Matriarchs Skate Jam. For more information visit www.4kinship.com/we-belong-here. 

ABOUT INSPIRING CHILDREN’S FOUNDATION: 

Inspiring Children’s Foundation is a 501c3 partnering organization, and fiscal agent for 4KINSHIP’s community solutions. Inspiring Children’s Foundation is dedicated to transforming lives through a whole human approach to physical, emotional & mental health. For more information, visit www.inspiringchildrensfoundation.org. 

ABOUT JOSH TAFOYA’s “RIOT” COLLECTION

Josh Tafoya, New Mexico-based Interim CFDA Member of Indo-Hispano lineage, explored his family’s complicated histories of Indigeneity and settler colonialism in his work. Josh is a masterful storyteller, with a deep understanding of Taos history, and the importance of intergenerational and intercultural relations. Tafoya's visionary third collection, “Riot!” inspired by the Taos Revolt was raw and rebellious, leading a new wave of southwestern design. You can find Josh Tafoya’s collections atwww.joshtafoya.com.