Queer Indigenous Fashion: Peshawn Bread and the House of Sutai Redefine Beauty and Belonging

In the heart of Santa Fe, New Mexico, the annual SWAIA Native Fashion Week is more than a celebration of style—it’s a platform for cultural resilience, innovation, and visibility. Among the designers taking the spotlight in 2025 is Peshawn Bread, founder of House of Sutai, whose work is redefining what Indigenous fashion can be for queer and Two-Spirit communities. Bread’s designs are not just garments; they are statements of identity, belonging, and resistance, weaving together ancestral traditions and contemporary queer aesthetics in ways that challenge both mainstream fashion and colonial narratives .

House of Sutai, founded by Peshawn Bread, debuted in 2023 with a collection of jewelry and accessories that quickly gained attention for their bold, unapologetic celebration of queer Indigenous identity. The brand’s name, “Sutai,” references the Comanche people, and Bread’s work is deeply rooted in their Comanche, Kiowa, and Cherokee heritage. What sets House of Sutai apart is its commitment to centering LGBTQ+ Native voices, creating a space where queer Indigenous people can see themselves reflected in high fashion .

Bread’s designs often feature vibrant colors, intricate beadwork, and symbolic motifs that honor both their cultural roots and their queer identity. The Sutai Classics collection, for example, is described as a “vibrant tribute to queer Indigenous storytelling,” blending Afro-Indigenous and Native cultural elements with a modern twist. Each piece is crafted to celebrate the rich history of the community while also pushing boundaries and challenging stereotypes .

For Bread, fashion is more than just aesthetics—it’s a form of activism and cultural preservation. “House of Sutai is about creating a space for queer Native peoples in high fashion,” Bread has said, emphasizing the importance of visibility and representation . This mission is particularly significant in a fashion industry that has historically marginalized Indigenous and LGBTQ+ voices, often reducing Native cultures to stereotypes or appropriating their designs without credit or context.

Bread’s work is part of a broader movement of queer Indigenous designers who are reclaiming their narratives and reshaping the fashion landscape. This movement is not just about creating beautiful clothes; it’s about challenging the erasure of queer and Two-Spirit identities within Indigenous communities and beyond. By centering these voices, designers like Bread are helping to create a more inclusive and authentic representation of Indigenous culture in fashion .

The impact of Bread’s work extends beyond the runway. House of Sutai is not just a fashion brand; it’s a community hub that supports and uplifts queer Indigenous artists and designers. Through collaborations, workshops, and public events, Bread is fostering a sense of belonging and empowerment among LGBTQ+ Native people. This community-focused approach is reflected in the brand’s designs, which often incorporate elements of traditional Indigenous art and storytelling, such as beadwork, quillwork, and ledger art .

Bread’s influence is also evident in the growing recognition of queer Indigenous fashion on a national and international scale. House of Sutai has been featured in major fashion events, including SWAIA Native Fashion Week, and has received praise for its innovative approach to blending tradition and contemporary queer expression. This visibility is helping to shift the conversation around Indigenous fashion, highlighting the importance of diversity, inclusion, and cultural authenticity

As the Indigenous fashion scene continues to evolve, designers like Peshawn Bread are leading the way in redefining what it means to be both Indigenous and queer in the world of fashion. Their work is not just about creating beautiful garments; it’s about challenging stereotypes, reclaiming cultural narratives, and creating space for marginalized voices. By centering queer and Two-Spirit identities, Bread and other designers are helping to build a more inclusive and authentic representation of Indigenous culture in fashion, one that celebrates the diversity and resilience of LGBTQ+ Native communities .

Peshawn Bread and House of Sutai are at the forefront of a vibrant movement that is reshaping the Indigenous fashion landscape. Through their bold, culturally rooted designs and commitment to community engagement, they are creating a space where queer and Two-Spirit identities can thrive. As the fashion industry continues to grapple with issues of representation and inclusion, designers like Bread are showing that true innovation comes from embracing diversity and honoring the stories of those who have long been marginalized.