Maricopa designer gets 1st solo show at Wild Horse Pass

Local Native American fashion designer Loren Aragon will have his first solo runway show at an event in the Chrome Nightclub at Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino.

The show is scheduled for June 17 at 8 p.m.

“Emerging into Style” is a fashion show themed from the ideas of emerging as a fashion designer and the ties to Aragon’s Acoma Pueblo, New Mexico, culture. Aragon’s show comes into production after a launch as an official fashion brand in the acclaimed Phoenix Fashion Week last October.

The ACONAV brand continues to grow in recognition throughout the valley and caught the attention of the Chrome Nightclub Manager Tom Anderson. He approached Aragon with the idea of presenting the luxurious ACONAV designs in an intimate setting in his club. Aragon took up the offer and the stage is now set to showcase his work, which will introduce a set of one-of-a-kind pieces in a collection dubbed “The Emergence Collection.”

ACONAV continues to gain recognition for its arrangement of Acoma Pueblo pottery art in wearable art forms.

“The idea of expressing my culture is a means to inspire new generations of indigenous artists and designers,” Aragon said. “I want to capture meaningful ideas and have our story told with the belief in all good things through fashion.”

The Emergence Collection will tell a story, expressing a connection to the past, with cultural designs brought forth in timeless evening wear. The show will also showcase talents from the indigenous community in unity with talents from the non-native community recognized by Aragon and his team.

“I want this to be a display of unity as much as I want it to show that we (Native Americans) have all the right to represent ourselves in an industry that deems us nonexistent and quite often misrepresents Native America.”

Wild Horse Pass Casino is at 5040 Wild Horse Pass Boulevard in Chandler.