We had the good fortune of connecting with Kayla Lookinghorse-Smith and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kayla, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
K.Lookinghorse began as a traditional beader and designer, creating traditional clothing for her family and community. The work she created was always about nurturing—both culture and people. Over time, the vision grew. K.Lookinghorse dared to dream beyond regalia, evolving into a fashion brand that fused tradition with innovation. The goal was to create high-quality, cutting-edge pieces that allow our community leaders, aspiring creatives, and even celebrities to walk with pride in their culture. By bringing our heritage forward into modern fashion, K.Lookinghorse empowers Indigenous expression at every level – with ready-to-wear, streetwear, and luxury couture.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
creatives who bring the Lookinghorse brand to life. From bold regalia to high-fashion statements, it’s a full-circle collaboration rooted in cultural pride and creative mastery. At K.Lookinghorse, wee proudly work with the best of the best—Native supermodels like Quannah Chasinghorse and Nanahbah Sam, iiconic Native jewelry artists like Lionel Thundercloud, cinematic storytelling through ViisualPhotography, and top-tier performers like AntoineX, Def-i, and PJ Vegas, who bring the sound and soul. At the core of our production is Creator’s Favorite LLC, a creative house led by our Executive Assistant, A’ngelee Clause, managing seamless logistics and next-level visuals. Together, we create an immersive experience of Indigenous excellence—each project a tribute to tradition, innovation, and the future we’re building together.

Image Credits
Photography Veronica Huerta, Visual Photography

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.