Every August, the Santa Fe Indian Market in New Mexico attracts Indigenous artists from all over to showcase and sell their contemporary works, with Penny Singer being one of the market’s most popular attractions. Singer, who is based on the Navajo reservation in New Mexico, has been a staple at the national Indigenous market for over a decade and is known for her striking ribbon shirts, jackets, and skirts. She describes her creations as contemporary wearable art that can be worn by both Natives and non-Natives. Singer’s interest in southwest appliqué styles led her to create her successful fashion line back in the 2000s, with ribbon shirts becoming her most sought-after item.
Popular amongst powwow dancers from various nations, ribbon shirts are traditionally worn by men to display their Indigenous pride and feature colors and patterns specific to their tribes. Singer took interest in putting her own twist on the design by creating contemporary geometric appliqués. Her journey into designing ribbon shirts began when she taught herself how to make them for her son’s dad, who was a powwow dancer. Starting with selling her ribbons shirts at markets like Santa Fe, Singer has been perfecting her craft for the past 15 years. Her unique creative process involves hand-drawing designs onto fabric, cutting them out, and free-handing a zigzag stitch onto the garments. Despite the lengthy process, Singer’s pieces often sell out within a day or two at the markets.
Recently, Singer’s stunning creations were showcased at the inaugural SWAIA Native Fashion Week in Santa Fe, where she displayed an array of ribbon shirts, vests, skirts, and jackets. The runway show featured her signature craftwork style, with urban-cool looks that can be paired with jeans and more formal looks inspired by daily life on the Navajo reservation. Singer drew inspiration from traditional weaving designs, landscapes, and life on the reservation to create her pieces. Her creations captivated the audience and showcased the fusion of traditional Indigenous art with contemporary fashion sensibilities.
For Singer, events like the Santa Fe Indian Market are not only a platform to showcase her creations but also an opportunity to connect with people and share her passion for Indigenous art. She finds fulfillment in meeting new people and discussing the intricate details of her garments with them. Singer’s dedication to her craft and her commitment to creating unique, wearable pieces that celebrate Indigenous heritage have earned her a loyal following and a prominent place in the world of contemporary Indigenous fashion. As she continues to innovate and push boundaries with her designs, Singer’s influence on the fashion world shows no signs of slowing down.
