Indigenous fashion designers from Alberta prepare to showcase their culture-inspired clothing designs on the international stage, inviting inspirational and influential Indigenous peoples from across Canada to Modeled after her work.
Stephanie Crowchild pays tribute to her legacy as a Tsuu t’ina Nation woman by creating a custom coat using Pendleton blankets, Hudson’s Bay point blankets, and other items.
Stephanie Crowchild sews custom pieces for Stephanie Eagletail Designs. She told CTV News she is creating a line of custom clothing to show off on the New York runway in September and wants to represent all 11 treaty territories on Turtle Island.
For that, Crowchild brings about 20 models. Among them are her three from Northeastern Ontario’s First Nations, fashion her designer Scott Wavano, model Emma Morrison, social media influencer Natalie her restorle.
According to Crowchild, they’re all making a positive impact on the community and are people she felt deserved a bigger platform.
“They inspire me,” she said.
“For me, they are good role models for the community and for my children.”
For more on Crowchild’s designs and preparations for fashion week, visit Stephanie Eagletail Designs’ Facebook page and follow her on TikTok.
These are the stories behind the three men representing the Convention Nine at New York Fashion Week.
Emma Morrison
Profile of Emma Morrison, Miss World Canada contestant from Shaplow Cree First Nation in northern Ontario. (Pageant Group Canada)
Emma Morrison is a 22-year-old proud Mushkegouk woman from Chaplow Cree First Nation, 200 kilometers west of Timmins.
After being invited to Miss North Ontario and winning the 2017 contest, Morrison became the first Indigenous woman to win Miss Teenage Canada later that year and most recently won Miss World Canada in the 2022 contest. She became the first indigenous woman to acquire. .
Morrison now travels around the country talking to Indigenous youth about the importance of pursuing their passions and that they shouldn’t be deterred just because they come from a small community.
“You can achieve great things regardless of your limitations and those around you.”
“I was taught that… it’s about opening that door for others to walk through. To be a representative of an indigenous people in an area where representation was scarce.”
Morrison was drawn to Crowchild’s work because of the stories surrounding her artistry and how it honored her unique culture.
Morrison told CTV News that he is thrilled to join the remaining roster of influential Native Americans assembled by Crowchild.
One other member of the roster is no stranger to Morrison. In 2015, Miss She’s Universe was Ashley Collingbull, who was the first Canadian and Indigenous woman to win the Miss Her Universe pageant and coached Morrison during the Miss Her Canada competition.
“I’m thrilled to be reunited at this event that celebrates the success of Indigenous peoples,” she said.
For more on Morrison’s youth work and pageant success, follow her on Instagram.
Natalie Restor
Nathalie Restoule is an Indigenous Peoples advocate, social media influencer from Dokis First Nation, and recently named Women of the Canadian Region. (attached)Restoule is Anishinaabe Kwe of Dokis First Nation and newly named Ms Regional Canada for 2022.
Crowchild said Restor has a passion and dedication to revitalizing Indigenous cultures and has championed Indigenous issues.
Restoule has visited many communities to exchange valuable knowledge and stories.
Crowchild told Restoule that her life goal is to educate and inspire healthy relationships within her community and nation. to herself and the rest of her creations.
Despite having over 100,000 followers on social media, Restoule strives to create a safe space to share and educate about Indigenous perspectives and domestic violence against women. She has overcome these issues in her own personal life.
Restoule has said on social media that her inner strength comes from her ancestral resilience and that she wants to share that strength with everyone who needs it.
“Never apologize for how deeply you feel. How deeply you love… When you have a heart of gold and your intentions are pure, you lose nobody. , people will lose you.
Follow her on TikTok to see her work creating safe spaces online.
Scott Wabano
Scott Wabano is a fashion designer of two minds, born in Wascaganish, a Cree in the Eyou Istochy region of northern Quebec, and raised in the Moose Factory. (attached)Born in Wascaganish, a Cree in the Eyou-Istochie region of northern Quebec, and raised in the Moose Factory, Scott Wabano is set to hit the world stage at both New York Fashion Weeks this year.
In February, she will showcase sustainable, WABANO apparel, including 2SLGBTQ+, on her New York Fashion Week runway with a team of six models.
Wavano, who uses his and their pronouns interchangeably, will model Crowchild’s design in September.
Wavano, who grew up around ceremonies, powwows, and traditional gatherings, said he designs regalia, ceremonial clothing, powwows, and hunting gear.
They often took inspiration from their grandparents who created crafts and other cultural designs.
“I was obsessed with design as a kid,” Wavano said in an interview at a youth gathering in Timmins.
“Fashion is intertwined with my culture and the way I was raised.”
His goal now is to shine a spotlight on Indigenous fashion, and he has been successful so far, being named Best Dressed by The Globe and Mail in 2022.
They said that the entertainment and fashion industries have eliminated authentic and honest representations of Indigenous peoples.
As those who have dealt with the effects of the deterioration of the boarding school system and the disadvantages of living in remote communities, they feel it is important for young Indigenous people to reflect themselves in the wider society.
“I truly believe that representation is a form of harm reduction,” Wabano said.
“When young people see Indigenous people thriving and having successful professional careers, it really gives them the motivation and inspiration to bring that into their lives.”
He said the indigenous fashion community is close-knit because few people can achieve success in the industry.
They all share their stories, cultures and artworks and often see themselves as collaborators rather than competitors.
“We’re here to help each other, lift each other up, support each other’s work, and… be proud of where we came from,” he said.
That’s how he connected with Stephanie Crowchild, a longtime follower of her art and drawing inspiration from her work.
Wavano says he especially likes her work in educating communities across the country on the importance of indigenous fashion and doing it in a sustainable way, which also drives his own work.
Crowchild’s desire to be part of a community of Indigenous creators and provide a platform for exposure makes this year’s fashion showcase in New York all the more meaningful, Wavano said.
Her inclusion of diverse Indigenous, Métis, and Intuit communities implies a lack of awareness of different communities and cultures in favor of a simpler narrative that Indigenous peoples are all the same. He said that it contributes to crushing the concept of
“We finally have this platform where we can showcase our beautiful stories, our beautiful fashion and our beautiful people,” said Wavano.
“It really shows the beauty and diversity of being indigenous.”
Follow us on Instagram to see more of Wavano’s collection as it prepares for its Fashion Week debut.
Waiting for New York Fashion Week
Crowchild said everyone she invited to New York shared a vision of representing indigenous peoples across Turtle Island and promoting different indigenous cultures.
She told CTV News she hopes the event will be an opportunity to learn about different communities and share knowledge and teachings.
“Each model represents itself and where it comes from,” says Crowchild.
“They will all be representing (their) treaty territories and I think it’s really great to see all of the different and diverse countries that I’m trying to bring together.”
Crowchild said her goal is to make the industry aware of not only the importance of Indigenous fashion, but also the diversity of culture and creativity within Indigenous communities.
