At last week’s Santa Fe Indian Market, a vibrant tapestry of Indigenous artistry unfolded as hundreds of artists from across North America gathered to showcase and sell their creations. From intricate jewelry to vibrant textiles and captivating paintings, the market was a testament to the beauty and craftsmanship of Indigenous cultures. Amidst the diverse offerings, one piece stood out: a meticulously beaded replica of a Hermès Birkin bag, crafted by the Two-Spirit couple, Sean Snyder and Adrian Matthias Stevens.
Known for their vibrant powwow dancing and artistic prowess, Snyder and Stevens have become familiar faces at the Santa Fe Indian Market. This year, they sought to elevate the fashion game by infusing their Indigenous heritage into a luxury icon. “I admire Hermès for their craftsmanship of the Birkin style bags, which inspired us to create our own,” Snyder shared with Vogue. “There is a legacy of Native people and their beaded medicine bags. As our culture has modernized, we see so many different styles of beadwork and appliqué bags showcased across Indian country.”
Their journey to create this masterpiece began with months of meticulous research and design. They meticulously replicated the dimensions and details of a Birkin 25 bag, starting with a prototype crafted from upholstery vinyl. “I started researching dimensions, hardware, liner, and anything Birkin,” said Stevens. “Once I felt the dimensions were exact in my pattern, I created a prototype out of upholstery vinyl to really get a sense of how this was going to come together.” The base of the bag was then meticulously constructed from deer hide, a material deeply rooted in Indigenous artistry. “Buckskin tanned hides are amazing to work with because the tanning process makes it so easy to bead and embroider on,” explained Snyder.
The true artistry began with the beading process, where Snyder and Stevens employed over 30 different shades of beads, including 24-karat gold seed beads. “We mainly utilize size 11 seed beads as part of our medium,” said Snyder. “Especially the cut and shine of Charlotte seed beads, which are cut on one side and provide glitz and perfect uniformity.” The design itself was a poignant nod to their shared heritage, featuring a geometric pattern symbolizing two tipis coming together, a powerful representation of their union as a couple. “The design is a dueling Tipi design, representing two homes coming together,” Snyder explained. “This idea is so personal to us, as we both work on the beading together.”
To further encapsulate their distinct identities, they incorporated a lane stitch style of beadwork, a technique prevalent in both of their tribal designs. Snyder is Navajo and Ute, while Stevens is Ute, Shoshone-Bannock, and San Carlos Apache. “It is taught to us from birth to always use your own designs from your tribal histories, because the ancestors will recognize the designs and they will continue to bless and protect you to have a clear path in life,” Stevens shared.
To complete this luxurious masterpiece, they added accents like vintage brass sequins, freshwater pearls, and ermine fur, further elevating the bag’s regal aura. “The ermine tail details are often used in royal clothing, giving our Birkin a regal essence,” Snyder explained.
Their hard work and dedication paid off, as the duo won the top beadwork ribbon at the Santa Fe Indian Market competition. “Sean and I were so excited,” Stevens shared. “To see that bright shiny blue 1st place ribbon below our submission was the most rewarding feeling.”
This work of art is now available for purchase, but its price reflects its exquisite craftsmanship and exclusivity, coming in at a cool $50,000. While the prize and recognition were undoubtedly gratifying, Snyder and Stevens emphasized that the true reward was the collaborative process itself, which deepened their connection. “I find it really special that we both worked on this piece in unison, from the buckskin to beadwork design,” Stevens said. “This process of creating award-winning art has really strengthened us as artists, but also in our relationship.”
Through their stunning beaded Birkin bag, Snyder and Stevens not only showcased their artistic prowess but also paid homage to their Indigenous heritage, proving that traditional crafts can be reinterpreted in modern and luxurious ways. Their creation serves as a powerful testament to the enduring legacy of Indigenous art and the strength of their bond as artists and partners.
