Dante Biss Grayson is a Native American designer hailing from Santa Fe, New Mexico, renowned for his versatile design skills and contributions to indigenous fashion. He is the creator of the Skygo Collection, a premier indigenous fashion brand that has evolved into a full-fledged fashion house. Before stepping into the fashion world, Dante served a twelve-year military tenure, which included experience from 9/11. Post-military, he embraced his art and design background, which included studies in Amsterdam, as a therapeutic avenue to address his PTSD. With advocacies for indigenous issues and a commitment to cultural appreciation, he has created waves at events like New York Fashion Week and garnered attention in "Cowgirl Magazine."

Episode Summary: In this captivating episode, Ashley, our enthusiastic host, sits down with the visionary indigenous fashion designer, Dante Biss Grayson. Dante shares the journey of his brand, the Sky Eagle Collection, from its inception through the global pandemic to its current status as a fashion powerhouse. Driven by his Osage heritage, his designs embrace cultural elements with a fresh lens while striving for global appreciation and advocacy for native issues. Dante delves into his eclectic history, drawing a picture of his artistic roots in Santa Fe, his time in the military, and the role of art in his life post-service. His narrative is a testament to resilience and innovation, as he pivots from military service to fashion entrepreneurship. We learn of his ventures into ranch wear, swimwear, media consulting, and fashion show production as he sketches out an expansive vision for 2024.

Key Takeaways:

• Dante Biss Grayson is a Native American artist and military veteran who has leveraged art for therapy and advocacy, leading to the creation of the Sky Eagle Collection.
• The Sky Eagle Collection isn't just a fashion brand; it's an expression and advocacy platform for indigenous issues, intertwining cultural appreciation with modern design.
• Dante emphasizes the importance of ethical collaborations between indigenous creators and major fashion brands, urging appropriate compensation and respect.
• Sky Eagle Collection is looking forward to diversifying their reach — with plans to launch a ranch wear line, swimwear, and a fashion show featuring indigenous designers.
• Dante aspires to maintain an ethos of cross-cultural collaboration and environmental awareness, aiming for future partnerships that highlight creativity and mutual growth.

Quotes:

• "For me, [fashion is] also very healing, but also advocating for different issues."
• "I'm here to remind people that we're still here, that we can compete on a global level."
• "You got to put in the work if you want it. You can't just be like, 'oh, I'm Tom Ford now.'"

Resources & Links

• Sky Eagle Collection Website: https://skyeaglecollection.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skyeaglecollection/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/skyeaglecollections