THE FAR NORTH FASHION SHOW DESIGNERS
JACKIE QATALIÑA SCHAEFFER
Iñupiaq
Jackie Qataliña Schaeffer, an Iñupiaq from Kotzebue, Alaska, is the Director of Climate Initiatives program at the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium. Her passion is to serve the indigenous people of Alaska and provide an indigenous perspective to all her work, including the importance and recognition of traditional philosophies, knowledge and world views.
Qataliña studied fashion design at the American College in London. Her inspiration and passion is finding new space to create fun and useful pieces using modern fabrics, traditional furs and harvested skins and feathers. Her designs can easily be worn in nature to protect against the elements or on the red carpet to create unique looks to share her infusion of textiles, materials and designs.
Qataliña also enjoys creative writing and has several poems and children’s stories she has written over several decades.
REINE PAVLIK
Tlingit
Reine Pavlik is the owner and designer of Alaska Soles. Reine was first introduced to skin sewing by her auntie Jennie Wheeler after she made a pair of moccasins. From that moment, Reine's work has grown into clothing garments. Alaska Soles has been featured designer in Alaska Fashion Week, Trend Alaska, CRRC Fashion Show, Celebration 2024 Juried Art Show, and will be a featured designer at 2024 Celebration Fashion Show.
ALANNAH JONES
Iñupiaq
Originating from Noatak and Kotzebue Alaska. Merging tradition and modernity in Inuit parka design, inspired by my Inupiaq roots and family legacy of sewing.
MERNA WHARTON
yup’ik
Merna Lomack Wharton, a proud Yup’ik woman originally of Akiacuaq (Akiachak), currently lives in Anchorage, Alaska. She is an Alaska Native artist, poet, seamstress, and wood carver. Merna is happiest spending quality time at her family’s fish camp on the Kuskokwim River. She has two daughters and loves to make traditional clothing for them. Merna, whose Yugtun names are Nasektaq and Atanurluq, has passion for hand sewing, as Yup’ik women before her have traditionally sewn for family, as well as traditional subsistence activities and being in the great outdoors of Alaska! Merna received Rasmuson Foundation 2021 Fellowship and 2017 Project Awards in the category of Folk and Traditional Arts as well as grant awards from The CIRI Foundation.
JEREMIAH JAMES
tlingit
Jeremiah James grew up fishing and hunting in Yakutat Alaska 2011 started hunting Seals and Sea Otters and making products from their beautiful Fur. This is what it’s involved into now. He teaches classes for various native organizations around the state as only Alaska natives of 1/4 blood quantum can work with the marine mammals in the United States. Gunaal’cheesh
EMILY CALDWELL
Iñupiaq
Emily Caldwell formerly from Utqiagvik, Alaska. My Inupiaq name is Naninaaq. I grew up learning my native arts trade from my mother, Ellen Frantz of Utqiagvik and my late Aaka Elizabeth Akootchook Frantz of Kaktovik. I enjoy making sealskin yo-yos, one of a kind purses and wolfhead mittens.
CLARA MCCONNELL
Iñupiaq
Inupiaq designer Qaulluq’s (Clara McConnell) fashion line is grounded by her desire to share Iñupiat Iḷitqusiat and the passing on of traditional knowledge and teachings. She first learned the arts of skin and fabric sewing from generations of women in her family. Her work is playful yet glamorous, combining luxurious materials with Inupiaq pattern designs and motifs such as Taqalakisaq (butterflies), as a nod to the land and transformation.
MARY KELSAY
Unangax̂ (Village of Nikolski)
MEKA, Seattle based designer, is a slow fashion designer who specializes in custom made, small lot collections, and one-of-a-kind women’s wear. MEKA has been in fashion for over 20 years starting out as a model, then to fashion show production and design. MEKA has created many designs inspired from her Unangax Heritage. MEKA’s esthetic is clean and classic which allows her to create timeless pieces. MEKA has been devoted to encouraging slow fashion with handmade garments, and redesigns along with her slow fashion advocacy. MEKA is also a community activist using fashion as a platform to create space for her Indigenous Community, spreading awareness of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and our Two Spirit Relatives. MEKA’s latest collaborations are with In The Spirit, Native Max Magazine, and One Woman Symphony.
ERIN MESSMER
Unangax̂
JEWELER @ The far north fashion show
BRITT'NEE BROWER
Iñupiaq
JEWELER @ THe far north fashion show
JENNIFER YOUNGER
Tlingit
JEWELER @ THE FAR NORTH FASHION SHOW
CHERYL BRANTLEY
IñUPIAQ
Qikiqtaģruqmii, akinubeauty, Master Beader and Designer
Cheryl is the creator of the beaded earrings.
KEVIN PAUL
Swimonish
K Paul Carvings. Swinomish Coast Salish Master Carver
Kevin is the creator of the White Raven Cedar carved necklace.
WALTER TOPKOK
IñUPIAQ
Teller Iñupiaq, Master Carver and Designer since age 10.
Walter is the creator of the bear claw necklace.
DENISE NEWMAN
Iñupiaq Athabascan
Tanana and Fairbanks Master Beader and Designer
Denise is the creator of the Beaded Athabascan collar.
