Kañådan Guinife
Shannon T. Sasamoto
“Kañådan Guinife” means “Valley of Dreams” in Chamorro. When I imagine what this valley of dreams looks like, I see the people of the Marianas gathered together, practicing and pushing their culture forward; which is what my brand is inspired by.
At the heart of our cultures in the Pacific is storytelling, which is evident in our practices. Fashion is my medium for storytelling. Cultural education and identity are at the core of my designs.
I had my first fashion show at FestPAC 2024, where I featured my Aliling collection. My second show was at the Pacific Fusion Fashion Show (PFFS) in New Zealand, featuring my ancient Chamorro pottery collection. My third and fourth shows were in my home of Saipan, where I collaborated with Simiyan Marianas, a group of women dedicated to preserving our culture through song and dance.
Kañådan Guinife strives to create contemporary garments infused with traditional elements—pieces that can be passed down through generations, ensuring our stories live on.
Kañådan Guinife links below: