At the end of the Spring 2024 semester, Esmarie Cariaga hosted her first fashion show on campus, Indigenous Couture Goes Vogue. Many creative Indigenous designers from around the Indian country showed off their pieces to students and the Lawrence, Kansas, community. The event was open to students to help volunteer or model, getting a step into the fashion world with an Indigenous community by their side. However, as the spring semester 2025 ends, Cariaga is about to graduate. Before she goes, she is holding another show at the school, “Indigenous Couture Goes Vogue VOL 2.”
On May 3 at the Coffin Complex, the fashion show will last from 4 to 8 pm. The show will bring back many designers alongside new faces like TIPI maker’s daughter, Alynwonderland, Ista.lbx and Sunrise creation. Cariaga ran and set up the whole show by herself at the previous show, which she mentions was a bit stressful but still fun. This time, she is getting much help from a club she began named “Haskell Runway,” to continue sharing the Indigenous fashion culture after her graduation.
Cariaga shared that this year’s show focuses on amplifying Indigenous voices in fashion and creating a platform that uplifts student designers and professional Indigenous artists. Celebrating Indigenous excellence while encouraging students to embrace their power and cultural pride is at the heart of it. Cariaga described feeling especially excited about the presence of Stella Standingbear and Miracle Spottedbear, whose involvement brings star power and cultural grounding. Cariaga also shares her pride in the students stepping into leadership roles, whether modeling, designing, or supporting behind the scenes. To her, this year feels more intentional, empowering, and community-driven than ever before.
The show will be as exciting as last time, with newer collections and vendors coming to sell their creations. The event will be free for Haskell students, but donations and ticket sales will support the Haskell Foundation and students affected by recent federal budget cuts. Both links can be found at the bottom if you or someone you know wants to volunteer or have a vendor at the show. Vendor applications will be due March 1st. If you want to stay updated on the event, follow the club’s Instagram page @Haskell.runway.
All are encouraged to attend this Haskell event to embrace the Indigenous culture and fashion.
Vendor spaces are still available: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfgESnj1bn2IBP5KSaf3xj7lht_jT6dyby9P3xrVvN3RPz6rA/viewform
Volunteers application: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ZPPJQCK
