2025 Designers
Jolene Robichaud
Jolene Robichaud (she/him/they) is an Acadian & Mi’kmaw queer artist who brings her experiences to life through every stitch, color, and silhouette. She was raised in Richibucto, NB, and is registered with Indian Island First Nation. Now based in Montréal, she runs her own business, JR Fashion Designs, where she works as a fashion designer, artisan, textile artist and multimedia artist. With seven collections under his belt, Jolene has showcased on 10 runways to date. Some notable shows include St. John's Fashion Week, Semaine de Mode de Montréal and the International Indigenous Tourism Conference. His designs combine vibrant artistic flair with stories of resilience, social issues, and personal experiences that embrace a hopeful and forward-looking vision. With a commitment to both craftsmanship and creating work that brings positivity into the world, Jolene continues to carve out a space where art, fashion, and heritage intersect in powerful and unexpected ways, honoring both branches of her ancestry.
Tisha Thompson
Tisha Thompson is a proud member of the Akwesasne Mohawk Nation. She is a mother of four and a grandmother to six. With a rich background in fashion design, hairdressing, and makeup artistry, Tisha has established herself as a skilled professional in her field. Her experience extends to organizing and participating in fashion shows, where her creative talents shine.
Marlana Thompson
Marlana Thompson is a Mohawk from the Wolf Clan. She was born and raised in Akwesasne, Where she lives with her husband Wayne Baker and children. She has been sewing, beading and creating pieces of art since she was seven years old, mainly for herself for ceremonies and powwows and now does it full time under her label Okwa:ho Creations. Marlana incorporates all the life elements in her works of art, combining traditional touches with the styles of today.
Many of Marlana’s works have been showcased in fashion shows during the Toronto Sky Dome Powwow, in the Museum in Bonne Germany, a museum in NY, the Smithsonian, Teen Vogue and the Akwesasne International Powwow also well as local fashion and art shows. Marlana sets up at powwows and art shows in both the US and Canada. One of her specialties is working with her clients and coming up with designs to reflect that person individuality and spirit with the use of various mediums.
Jennifer Benally
Jennifer Benally, from the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin, is the designer and owner of Shinymoon Creations. With over 30 years of experience, she creates traditional and contemporary clothing, including powwow regalia. A 2023 graduate of the Institute of American Indian Arts with a BFA in Studio Arts, Jennifer interned with Nike's Color & Trend team in Oregon. She also teaches Custom and Regalia at IAIA. Jennifer blends Indigenous tradition with modern fashion, using vibrant designs inspired by her cultural heritage and experiences, including geometric patterns from her grandmother and floral motifs representing her Haudenosaunee roots. “I have been creating wearable masterpieces for over thirty years, designing powwow regalia, ceremonial, and contemporary clothing while blending tradition with modern fashion. My clothing instills confidence with its vibrant designs which reflect my upbringing in the pow wow world, my Diné side, and my Haudenosaunee roots.”
Bailee Iontewisonnis Rourke
BaileeRourkeis Wolf Clan, member of the Akwesasne Mohawk Nation. She is a proud mother, entrepreneur and designer. Bailee graduated from Trent University, with Honours Bachelor of Arts in Indigenous Studies and a Minor in Indigenous Environmental Studies and Sciences. She is the owner of Kakhwí:io, a small business specializing in cornbread and other Haudenosaunee traditional foods. Along with her love for cooking, she also has a passion for sewing, beading, graphic design and leather work. Bailee has been creating pieces of art since she was 14. She learned from her late grandmother Charlotte Thompson, who was a phenomenal seamstress. With great honor Bailee looks forward to showcasing her work as a debut designer at the 2025 Akwesasne Indigenous Fashion Show.
Bailee’s creations can be found on Instagram @iontewisonnis_art