The Sky-Eagle Collection created by Osage fashion designer, Dante Biss-Grayson, will be showcased in a three-day artist-in-residence at the Eiteljorg Museum in Indianapolis, Nov. 7-9.
Biss-Grayson will host an Indigenous Fashion Show at the Eiteljorg from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 9.
The residency is sponsored by the Eiteljorg Museum, Purdue University and the Indiana Native American Indian Affairs Commission. According to a prepared release, the residency focuses on veterans, highlighting the therapeutic potential of creativity in addressing PTSD. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Native Forward Scholars Fund. Biss-Grayson is a combat veteran and spent 12 years in Afghanistan.
Since Biss-Grayson began the Sky-Eagle Collection in 2019, it has been mentioned in numerous publications, including Vogue, has had several sold-out runway shows, has appeared at New York Fashion Week and has had designs worn on the Cannes Film Festival Red Carpet for the “Killers of the Flower Moon” premiere in 2023.
Most recently, Biss-Grayson launched his Sky-Eagle Fashion House: On-Demand in hopes of preventing the overproduction of fashion garments and making his clothing company more environmentally friendly. This also includes his Sky-Eagle Ranchwear collection, launched in March, which is a line of pearl snap shirts made from environmentally friendly and comfortable materials while also incorporating Native American culture and artwork into the designs.
Biss-Grayson comes from a family of artists and was influenced by every one of them. His mother is renowned Osage painter Gina Gray and his stepfather and mentor, Earl Biss, was renowned for his southwestern artwork and influenced him. His sister, Addie Roanhorse, is also an artist.
His journey into the art world was influenced by multiple things, but being surrounded by artwork was one of them.
“It was a variety of things,” Biss-Grayson said. “I’m a veteran so I was overseas for quite a while, and I’ve always grown up in the arts. I came back and wanted to do some healing and open my studio again, so I started painting again. My daughter was born, Ella Sky-Eagle, and I pretty much named the brand after her.”
Biss-Grayson has struggled with PTSD and found healing in his artwork, which his sister Addie has said helps him cope.
“He’s a combat vet and was in Afghanistan for 12 years,” Roanhorse said. “We knew he wasn’t painting, so when he came back, his paintings were beautiful, but a little dark. When I started to see ponies in his paintings, I knew he was in a good place. I knew his healing had started. There’s this very whimsical peace to it I enjoy.”

Roanhorse said Biss-Grayson incorporates Osage culture into his clothing design.
“When it comes to the clothing, he’s able to really show the Osage ribbon work patterns,” she said. “Even if it hints of them, they’re still there. There’s always something within the clothing that has a connection with us being Osage.”
Not only that, but Grayson has an eye for fashion and what looks best for those interested in his clothing.
“His runway is all sizes,” she said. “When you go to one of his fashion shows, it’s literally every size, and that has been a big pushing point as well. People have curves, real women have curves, and I think he wanted to honor that.”
Biss-Grayson is not only an artist and a fashion designer, but he is also the CEO of the Taos Pueblo Indian Health Services in Taos, N.M.
Yancey Red Corn, an Osage actor who is cousins with Biss-Grayson, has noticed a progression in the fashion industry.
“He’s really used social media to his advantage,” Red Corn said. “He’s all over the internet. He’s doing these fashion shows in Paris, London and New York, and he just has a knack for showing his work and getting out there. He’s not afraid of doing something new.”
Red Corn believes Biss-Grayson has become a dedicated and well-rounded artist in many aspects of the artistry world.
“He’s like a renaissance artist,” he said. “He’s traveled all over the world, so he’s got all these experiences he can bring together through his painting, poetry and fashion design.”
Biss-Grayson drops new collections frequently and sometimes does surprise drops.
“It seems like every quarter he’s coming out with something new,” Red Corn said. “He’s doing everything in art, whether it’s painting, poetry, his fashion design and leatherwork. He’s just branching out. I’m just waiting for him to move into another genre, there’s no telling what he can do. He doesn’t limit himself to what he does.”
Pieces from the Sky-Eagle Collection can be viewed and purchased at https://www.skyeaglecollection.com/