At 22, Quannah Chasinghorse has become a trailblazer in the fashion industry, redefining beauty standards while championing Indigenous representation.
A member of the Oglala Lakota and Hän Gwich’in tribes, she has walked the runways of top fashion houses like Ralph Lauren, Gucci, and Chanel, using her rising platform to advocate for cultural integrity and inclusivity.
Born on the Navajo Nation reservation in Arizona, Chasinghorse’s upbringing was deeply connected to her cultural roots.
Raised by her activist mother, Jody Potts-Joseph, she lived off the land in Alaska, participated in environmental protests, and learned survival skills shaped by Indigenous traditions.
Reflecting on her childhood, she emphasizes that being “rich” was never about money but about culture, traditions, and community.
Her path to the fashion world began in 2020 when she was discovered at an environmental protest in Alaska.
With her community rallying to fund her trip to New York, she signed with IMG Models and quickly became the face of campaigns by Calvin Klein and Chanel.
Her distinct features, including her sacred Yidįįłtoo chin tattoos, set her apart in an industry historically resistant to Indigenous representation.
Chasinghorse is not content with being a passive participant in fashion. She actively engages with brands, urging them to respect Indigenous cultures through meaningful collaboration.
Her advocacy led to Ralph Lauren forming a Native American advisory board and partnering with Navajo designer Naiomi Glasses.
She believes in transforming the industry from within, emphasizing that dialogue and representation can drive real change.
Beyond fashion, she has ventured into acting, starring in Reservation Dogs and co-producing the documentary Bad River with Edward Norton.
Now based in Los Angeles, she is working on a feature film script while continuing her modeling career.
Determined to uplift others, she supports fellow Indigenous talents, rejecting the notion of competition and advocating for collective success.
Despite her growing fame, Chasinghorse remains grounded. She recalls backpacking through Venice with her family, pretending to be a model.
“Now I’m here—and this is my job. I want to hold on to that,” she reflects. Fashion, for her, is not just a career but a platform for empowerment, advocacy, and lasting cultural impact.
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