THE FAR NORTH FASHION SHOW DESIGNERS
JACKIE QATALIÑA SCHAEFFER
Iñupiaq
Qataliña studied fashion design at the American College in London. Her inspiration and passion leads her to finding new space to create fun and useful pieces using modern, sustainable, natural 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. She honors our fallen sisters by implementing MMIWG elements into her designs. Qataliña also enjoys traditional sewing, art, mentoring youth and young leaders, and is passionate about designing fashion for modern Inuk. Her designs have featured in Santa Fe: Museum of International Folk Art, Anchorage, Alaska: Anchorage Museum, La Connor, Washington: Museum of Northwest Art, Juneau, Alaska: Alaska State Museum, Bunnell Street Art Center, Portland, Oregon: Native Arts and Culture Foundation Museum, Tulsa, Oklahoma: Tulsa Living Arts Museum.
MARIA SHAA TLAA WILLIAMS
Tlingit
Raven's Shirt Studios is inspired by Northwest Coast form line and designs from Nature. The CLOUD COLLECTION reflects how fog and clouds gather around the mountains in Southeastern Alaska. All clothing designs by Shaa Tlaa and some formline by Haida carver Lee Wallace.
MARISA TAYLOR
Sivuqaq Island Yupik, Choctaw, Black
Marisa Kingeekuk Taylor is a Sivuqaq Yupik artist and designer whose work blends traditional materials with contemporary fashion. Through Nemeq Studio, she creates wearable art using seal skin, beadwork, and natural materials, honoring artistic talent passed down through generational lineage. Her designs reflect the strength, beauty, and storytelling of Sivuqaq culture.
CARLENE THAYER
Qawalangin Tribe of Unalaska
Carley Thayer is an Aleut originally from Unalaska. She was raised in Juneau and currently resides there with her husband and three children. In her first pieces she realized how metal can work with fur to give structure and dimension and this launched her first collection in 2017. From there she began exploring texture. The natural ombre of the sea otter fur she uses led to cutting patterns into the fur; this has become her signature technique. She then moved into larger scale body pieces some of which have been around and you will see tonight others are being viewed for the first time.
ALANA MOSES
Yup'ik, Cup'ik, Iñupiaq, Koyukon Athabascan
Alana Moses is a Yup'ik, Cup'ik, Inupiaq, and Koyukon Athabascan artist born and raised in Fairbanks Alaska. She has been sewing since the age of four and currently continues her pursuit of art at the University of Alaska Fairbanks where she is focusing on metal smithing as well as printmaking. In her art Alana often incorporates elements of her indigenous culture that have been modernized to show how growing up in the city has impacted her connection with her Alaska Native community. Currently Alana holds the title of Miss Fairbanks Native Association 2025, and plans to continue strengthening her community through art, creativity, and individuality.
REINE PAVLIK
Tlingit
Alaska Soles, crafted by Reine Pavlik in Yakutat, Alaska. Her work blends tradition and sustainability. Inspired by the Tlingit community's rich heritage and the breathtaking surroundings of Yaakwdáat, her work reinvigorates time-honored traditional materials with upcycled, recycled, and thrifted treasures.
JEREMIAH JAMES
Tlingit, Iroquois, and Scottish
Jeremiah James a Tlingit from Yakutat. Grew up commercial fishing in hunting in Yakutat developing a deep connection with the Land and Sea that continues to guide his work today since 2011. He has been hunting Seals and Sea Otter‘s crafting them into beautiful products that blend traditional designs with modern styles. With timeless classics, Jeremiah also shares his knowledge by teaching Sewing classes and workshops throughout Alaska helping preserve and pass on his culture for future generations. The pieces in this collection have been on his mind for some time and finally come to light. Thank you for the opportunity.
CHRISTINA WASKA
Yup’ik
Christina Waska grew up in Newtok, Alaska, the eldest of seven children born to Vincent and Theresa. Kakaq yugtun. While growing up, she greatly admired the elder women in the tiny village who were basket weavers. She would often visit the elderly, knowing they would be stitching baskets. She would sit with them, watching each stitch and listening to the stories they shared from their past. Christina believes these women profoundly shaped who she is today.