Inspired by Heritage: Tobek's Afro Amazonia Brings Culture to Couture

by Trinity Gruenberg

trinity@inhnews.com

Samara Tobeck aims to empower women of all shapes and sizes through her Afro Amazonia fashion line, which draws inspiration from her tribe, family, and community.

A 2014 Bertha-Hewitt alum, Samara currently resides in Bemidji. She is a psychotherapist with a master’s degree in clinical social work and is independently licensed as a behavioral health therapist through Leech Lake.

After giving birth to her son Roo in 2019, she was approached by an indigenous clothing company to model for a commercial photo shoot.

“That one opportunity led to many others. Once you get your foot in the door, people start to notice you because you’re essentially like an advertisement,” Tobeck explained.

Two years ago, she transitioned from being a model to a designer.

“I realized that in the fashion industry, I often felt like the token plus-size person. I wanted to see fashion be about more than that; I wanted to emphasize diversity across all ages and body types. I felt there weren’t many older or plus-size models, so I sought to change that and prove the industry wrong,” Tobeck shared.

She draws inspiration from her Guarani heritage, a South American tribe, incorporating bold patterns and colors to honor her roots.

“I like harsh, bold lines in my artwork, and I use a lot of color. I’m pretty bold, so I prefer my designs to reflect my personality and current feelings. I want people to feel seen, heard, and beautiful when they wear my clothing, encouraging them not to shy away,” she explained...

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