When De’Ara Dosela first stepped onto the runway, she carried more than a dress or a designer’s vision—she carried the prayers of her people. A White Mountain Apache woman from the Fort Apache Reservation in Whiteriver, Arizona, Dosela grew up with teachings of love, faith, and respect, lessons that stayed with her even as she stood under the bright lights of her first show, Indigenous Couture Goes Vogue at Haskell Indian Nations University. The nerves were there, but so was something stronger—an inner spark that told her she was exactly where she needed to be. “Everything just clicked,” she recalled.
Now, at 23, Dosela is preparing to walk in the first Indigenous New York Fashion Week. For her, it is more than an achievement or a career milestone but a homecoming of a different kind. Each step she takes on that stage will honor her ancestors, her community, and every Native youth who dreams of a future beyond the boundaries placed on them. This is what it means to walk with identity, to walk with purpose, to walk as an Apache woman in the heart of one of the world’s fashion capitals.
Dosela’s journey is rooted in the teachings passed down through her family and community. Love, faith,and respect, three words given to her by a medicine man, are her compass. These values are not left behind when she enters the fashion world; they are woven into every show, every stride, every presence she makes known.
“Native resilience is such a consistent trait in so many tribes, including mine,” Dosela said. “That strength is what gives me the courage to stand in front of hundreds of people, unashamed of who I am and where I come from.”
In her eyes, walking the runway is not about personal recognition alone, it is about showing Apache youth and all Native youth that their dreams are worth chasing. “They deserve to experience all the wonderful things the world has to offer,” she said.
Fashion was never something Dosela imagined for herself. Growing up, Western beauty standards left little space for Indigenous women, especially plus-sized women, to see themselves reflected in the industry. But when she first walked the Haskell runway, she felt something shift. Her confidence was shaped by both Rez life and unexpected influences: pop icons, drag queens, the LGBTQ+ community, and even Bratz dolls. All of them gave her a spark that translated into fearlessness, confidence, and self-love.
“Even when I doubted myself back then, I think I always knew I was going to do something under the lights,” she said. “That little 8-year-old Apache girl dancing to Madonna in her room is thriving now.”
Haskell has been more than just a university for Dosela—it has been a place of transformation. Between 19 and 23, she found her voice, her confidence, and her path. “Haskell provided me with guidance, encouragement, and a community that accepted me,” she said. “The person I always wanted to be was always there, she just needed encouragement to step out.” For Dosela, being part of the Haskell community also means being part of something larger, a generation of Native students who will go on to make change in their communities.
Walking in Native fashion shows has shown Dosela the difference between Indigenous-led spaces and mainstream ones. In Native spaces, there is an unspoken respect for cultural protocols and personal boundaries: not touching hair without permission, handling moccasins and regalia with care, honoring the meaning behind beadwork and garments. One of her most memorable shows took place at Meow Wolf in Santa Fe, during the Native Guitars Tour. Sharing the stage with live Native rock bands, she modeled while dancing to the music. “There’s nothing quite like it—backstage with band members, socializing with Native models, designers, and musicians. I loved every minute of it,” she said.
Mentorship has also shaped her journey. Dosela interned with Apache Selections, an Indigenous-owned brand created by Elena Theresa, an Apache and Comanche woman. Working alongside Theresa, she learned not just about styling and design, but about leadership, networking, and representation. “One of the most amazing things is having an accomplished Apache woman encouraging me to represent my tribe everywhere I go,” Dosela said.
Indigenous New York Fashion Week will mark a milestone not only for Dosela, but for Native fashion as a whole. For her, walking in New York is about representation, showing the next generation that their stories belong on the world stage. “Growing up, I never saw anyone who looked like me in the media—Native or plus-sized,” she said. “Now I want to be that representation for others.” Her biggest challenge has not been confidence, but resources. As a full-time student with limited income, Dosela started a fundraiser to support her travel. Community support, from Haskell faculty to her family, has already helped her raise $1,000 of her $2,000 goal.
Representation, for Dosela, is not optional– it’s a responsibility. “I want people to see something undeniable,” she said. “We’ve always been here, and we’re not going anywhere.” Her presence on the runway is meant to honor designers’ visions, to advocate for Indigenous visibility, and to remind the world that Native people continue to thrive.
To the young people watching her journey, especially Apache youth, Dosela offers this: believe in your spark. “Anything could happen, but anything is possible,” she said. “There will be setbacks, but there will also be moments of joy and opportunity. You are capable of so much—please don’t doubt yourself. Chase your ambitions. My dreams are taking me to New York, and yours can take you anywhere.”
Dosela’s path has already brought her unforgettable moments, from seeing herself featured in the Spencer Museum of Art to witnessing powerful comebacks from fellow Indigenous models. But her story is just beginning. She hopes to continue modeling, acting, and working in spaces where Native people can be loud, seen, and heard. And with every step, she carries the same faith and pride that guided her from the start.
Because for De’Ara Dosela, walking the runway has never been just about fashion. It has always been about walking with her people.
