The Designer
Kayla Lookinghorse
What separates Kayla Lookinghorse from other designers is her hunkpapa/Itazipco Lakota/Dakota heritage and the way it is artfully woven into her designs. K. Lookinghorse is a contemporary brand that honors the designer’s heritage with an aesthetic specific to her tiospaye' (family). Her signature symbols, three lines Horizontal pays homage to the past, present and future. As a mother, designer, artist, and tribal citizen, Kayla lookinghorse has forged her own path by creating iconic printed dresses and signature jackets which are the cornerstone of the K.lookinghorse brand. Working toward bridging the gap and creating space for Authentic Inspired Native design Not Native Inspired. From her creations to your closet shop the latest collections that naturally empower through storytelling and design.
"My work is about bringing to light the women ancestors whose strength flows through us all. "
- K. Lookinghorse
Honoring My Ancestors
I am honoring my ancestors by using my gifts of quillworking, beadworking and sewing. It is my mission to create awareness through fashion that Native American people still exist. My family has been an integral part of history. During the 1800's my great great grandmother Mary Halsey was an advocate and interpreter for the lakota, dakota and nakota people. Throughout the generations my family continued to honor our ancestors. During World War II my great grandfather George Manywounds was a Lakota Code Talker. In 2013 our family received the Silver Congressional Medal of honor for his service. I grew up on the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation with my grandparents Perry Manywounds and Carmelita White Cloud. My grandfather Perry served in the Army, Airforce and Navy. He also served his community as an Honorable Judge for the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. I also spent time on the Cheyenne River Reservation. I am the granddaughter of the late Stanley Looking Horse who was a Spiritual leader and the keeper of the Sacred White Buffalo Calf Pipe for the Great Sioux Nation. Today my uncle Arvol Looking Horse is a spiritual Leader for the people and the 19th generation keeper of the Sacred White Buffalo Calf Pipe. He continues to lead movements to protect our ways of life for future generations and is a huge inspiration in my life.
"Native American people walk this earth in balance everyday. To know who we are, is to know where we come from. We are people of the land and hold a space of power. Everyday we pray is another day we make our connection. As a brand we lend ourselves to authenticity and newness. "
- K. Lookinghorse