Loren Aragon is a Native American fashion designer and artist from the Acoma Pueblo of New Mexico. Aragon grew up in a traditional household with grandparents who constantly encouraged participation in traditions and speaking the Keres language. Loren was introduced to the traditional and contemporary arts at an early age with his mother as his mentor. Although the link to art was constant it was his grandfather who encouraged him to pursue a technological career path. Loren maintained a connection to the arts throughout his academic career while in pursuit of a degree in mechanical engineering. After attaining his degree from the Arizona State University in 2004, Aragon established himself in a career as an engineer working and living in Phoenix, Ariz.

Living away from the Acoma community led to a number of new experiences for Aragon. These experiences allowed Loren to discover new skill sets, a new appreciation for the arts, and a necessity to find a means of cultural preservation for his people. Aragon ventured back into the arts in 2008 and found the passion to express his artistic talents outside of being an engineer. Since his introduction into the art scene, Loren continues to promote his work in Native American art exhibitions throughout the Southwest including the most notable Santa Fe Indian Market (NM) and the Heard Museum Indian Market (AZ).

The name ACONAV was created to signify an artistic collaboration from two indigenous cultures between Loren (Acoma) and his wife Valentina (Navajo). The brand began in the creation of greeting cards. It later became a collaborative effort to promote the vast artwork of Loren. Over the past 6 years the brand has progressed and encompasses the talents of Loren in illustration, sculpture, jewelry and fashion design.

In 2012, an awarded fellowship by the Wheelwright Museum in Santa Fe, NM, granted Aragon a study into developing his own textiles for use in his very own fashion designs. The discovery of fashion design was another means for Loren to express his artistic talents. It has allowed him to capture innovative ideas predominantly influenced by the pottery culture and traditional dress of the Acoma people. ACONAV fashion has been showcased on runways in Santa Fe, Denver, Phoenix, and New York City. In 2016 ACONAV became an official brand after Aragon’s participation in the Phoenix Fashion Week Designer Bootcamp. In 2017 ACONAV was named Phoenix Fashion Week 2018 Designer of the Year, becoming the first Native American fashion brand to be named such in the history of Phoenix Fashion Week.

"I am motivated by the stories and life lessons of my culture and the neighboring cultures of the Southwest. My response has become an exploration of ancient ideas applied to modern art. These ideas are orchestrated and visually vocalized on canvases of my choosing.

My study and practice as a mechanical engineer further fuels my artistic passion. It redefines my abilities as an artist. My work is the result of a combination of my artistic vision and technological discipline.

It may seem that my work is severed from the conventional practices of my Acoma people. Truthfully, I value and sincerely appreciate the ancestral arts of my people. However, I feel it necessary to demonstrate an investigation into other art forms, in parallel with observing historic and cultural preservation. I challenge myself to find new, undiscovered ways to represent Indigenous art with the hopes of igniting the interests of future generations.

Art is a connection to my ancestry and more so my bond to life. Through my art, I am able to create my dreams and make my visions tangible. Each creation becomes an extension of my life, love, creativity, and prayers. Through my creations, I am able to share my beliefs, maintain a connection with my origins, and reveal my individuality." - Loren Aragon