Kené Kaya Brings Shipibo-Conibo Art and Indigenous Power to New York Fashion Week
Peruvian fashion brand Kené Kaya brought Indigenous Latin American representation to the latest edition of New York Fashion Week. The brand introduced Shipibo-Conibo art to the international scene with a collection crafted in collaboration with artisans from the community.
In this way, heritage, craftsmanship, and Indigenous legacy took center stage on the runway to celebrate Peru’s cultural richness.
Taking Shipibo-Conibo talent to the global stage
On September 13, Kené Kaya, the clothing label founded by designer Alessandra Durand, took over the Art Hearts Fashion runway. The showcase is one of New York Fashion Week’s platforms for emerging designers and displays the work of various brands. Kené Kaya represented Perú with their Spring-Summer 2026 collection, Amor Ancestral.
Before the runway, the brand showed a video clip from El Viaje al Origen del Kené by filmmaker Rodo Arrascue. The documentary follows the history of Olinda Silvano, a Shipibo activist and artist, as she returns to the Peruvian Amazon. Along the way, Silvano retraces her traditions and the origin of her work, offering a glimpse into her community ethos and way of living.
Following the screening, Olinda Silvano materialized on the runway to perform the ícaro Canto de la alegría. Her performance featured Shipibo-Conibo traditional chants, providing an opportunity for the audience to connect with her culture. One by one, models appeared on stage, displaying the collaborative work between Durand and Shipibo-Conibo artisans.
The catwalk was an homage to Amazonian craftsmanship
Channeling the collection’s name (Amor Ancestral translates as Ancestral Love), the runway paid homage to tradition. The kené, the Shipibo-Konibo sacred geometric pattern and tool for storytelling, took the spotlight. The art, created by women of the collective Shinan Imabo in Cantagallo, Lima, was featured on several pieces. Embossed on elegant shawls, dresses, and even ties, the kené elevated every look. Additional elements, including beaded accessories and Huayruro seed jewelry, displayed the skills and know-how of Shipibo women, as well as artists from Madre de Dios and Shampuyacu in the Peruvian Amazon.
“More than garments, each creation was a living testament to cultural memory, passed down from mothers to daughters through generations,” shared the brand through a press statement. “The collection’s name, Amor Ancestral — or Ancestral Love— speaks to that intergenerational legacy of love for culture, art, and the preservation of Amazonian identity.”
The grand finale was filled with meaning
Closing the runway on a high note, designer Alessandra Durand and artist Olinda Silvano walked the finale hand in hand. This was a full-circle moment for Durand, whose work has focused on uplifting women from the Peruvian Amazon and championing ethical fashion.
“Kené Kaya has always been about more than design — it is about serving as a vehicle for sustainable development, cultural preservation, and the visibility of Indigenous women who are the true guardians of their culture,” said Durand of the runway.
The Shipibo-Conibo are no strangers to cultural exploitation from creatives who want to collaborate with them without paying any compensation. With her runway, Durand set a new standard for collaborations with the community. Her collection also reinforced new narratives in fashion, placing Indigenous people front and center. “It was essential for me to have Olinda Silvano — the leader of the Shinan Imabo collective — present at New York Fashion Week,” explained the designer. “Not behind the scenes, but at the forefront, where her voice and artistry rightfully belong .”
Silvano, who is a prominent Indigenous voice in Peru’s cultural scene, wasn’t any less thrilled. “It was an honor to represent my country, Peru, with the work of the Shinan Imabo collective alongside Alessandra,” she shared. “It was my first time in New York, and to sing on that stage in my Shipibo language, sharing my icaro with the audience was unforgettable.”
