Navajo fashion designer’s work takes him across the globe

FARMINGTON, N.M. — Fashion week is all about the latest looks from top designers across the globe.

Indigenous fashion designer Jolonzo Goldtooth’s inspiration doesn’t come from the latest trends on the runway.

“It started with the strong Dine and Navajo women in my life, I grew up with a bunch of women who are seamstresses,” Goodtooth emphasized. “That’s my inspiration my family the women in my life, the Navajo women.”

That love of community is woven into his designs.

“My collection is a Native American urban collection,” Goldtooh said. “So, I incorporate my heritage, my background and I incorporate that with modern fashion, contemporary fashion, high fashion, couture fashion.”

Goodtooth’s Four Corner designs have made their way across the country and even the world.

“I been able to travel to like Australia, Canada, New Zealand, France, and this fall, Milan,” Goldtooth said.

But there is no place like home.

“I love New Mexico, I love Farmington, San Juan County – it’s who I am, I wouldn’t be able to do the things I am able to do without the people here, the land, the community my tribe.” Goldtooth said. “To base myself here only makes sense for me to like really to create my foundation, as far as making it a fashion hub, making it like a fashion district.”

Goldtooth hopes that his path will lead others to believe that it is possible to break into the fashion industry.

“It doesn’t matter where you come from you may come from a small community like Farmington, New Mexico,” Goldtooth said. “Never in my life would I have fathomed when I was younger that I would be able to do what I can do and travel. Travel the world and get invited to these huge fashion shows, I want to inspire the youth, to be who you are.”

Goldtooth added that it also is important for him to work with local models, photographers, and makeup artists. His upcoming fashion shows will be in Albuquerque and Rapid City, South Dakota in April.