Indigenous Fashion Week Toronto 2018
Indigenous Fashion Week Toronto was a four-day festival of Indigenous-made fashion, textiles and craft, that took place from May 31-June 3, 2018 at Harbourfront Centre in downtown Toronto. IFWTO was a live, multi-platform public event that offered industry and audiences the opportunity to connect with Indigenous cultural expression through fashion, craft and textiles. IFWTO presented Indigenous artists from across Canada and the US, as well as international guests, whose work explores the deep and ongoing connection between contemporary fashion, Indigenous art, and ancient and traditional practices.
IFWTO aims to challenge "mainstream perceptions of Indigenous people and our culture, which are often stereotyped, commodified or exploited" explained Paul. "The name 'Fashion Week' is purposeful: to represent and be accessible to our community of makers who have been excluded from the colonial artistic construct. We strive for artistic integrity despite euro-western artistic definitions".
New Moon
The festival kicked off on Thursday with the New Moon runway show representing spring and birth. The evening created a space for emerging artists to showcase new work with standout collections from Lesley Hampton, Evan Ducharme, Yolonda Skelton, Janelle Wawia, Warren Steven Scott and Meghan O'Brien. Geometric prints, sustainability and gender fluidity were common themes throughout the evening.
Yolonda Skelton of Sugiit Lukx Designs is a textile artist from Gitxsan First Nation. The incorporation of North Coast designs and her 3 dimensional appliqué technique were highlighted in the bright shawls that drew inspiration from ceremonial dance blankets.
CBC
Jessica White - CBC Photo
Jessica White
Shalaine Bouvier
Brandy Dumont
Jessica Rose Dombro
Jessica Rose Dombro
Shalaine Bouvier
Brandy Dumont
Jessica White - CBC
Jessica White
Jessica Rose Dombro
Jessica Rose Dombro
Jessica Rose Dombro
Erika Trube
Erika Trube
Maika Harper
Maika Harper - Coleen's Clothes Line Finds
Maika Harper
Designer - Yolonda Skelton
Designer - Yolonda Skelton
New Moon IFWTO 2018 -CBC
Rhiannon Johnson · CBC News · Posted: Jun 01, 2018 4:00 AM ET | Last Updated: June 2, 2018
The inaugural Indigenous Fashion Week Toronto kicked off with a 'New Moon' runway showcase. On opening day, CBC Indigenous spoke with the artistic director and designers about what makes this event so special. The inaugural Indigenous Fashion Week Toronto kicked off Thursday evening, showcasing new and upcoming designers.
The entire event will take place over four days, each day culminating with a runway showcase inspired by the traditional phases of the moon. Thursday was dubbed New Moon.
"This is something that I've wanted to do since I was in college," said Sage Paul.
Paul, who identifies as an urban Dene woman, is the artistic director and founder of Indigenous Fashion Week Toronto.
"The goal of this fashion week is to redefine fashion where Indigenous voices and Indigenous representation is led by us," said Paul.
"Generally speaking there's an image of a pan-Indian so by bringing together all of our various nations it allows for a very diverse, exciting celebration."
New Moon represents spring and birth — a fitting showcase for new works and emerging designers.
"It's great to be surrounded by so many Indigenous artists and Indigenous minds," said Ducharme.
"We're all so incredibly diverse, the only thing our work has in common is our connection to our indigeneity.
Igenous Fashion Week Toronto kicked off with a 'New Moon' runway showcase. On opening day, CBC Indigenous spoke with the artistic director and designers about what makes this event so special. 1:54
"There's so many amazing events going on. It's rare that an event of this nature happens but it's an embarrassment of riches; we're just swimming in this amazing pool of Indigenous intellectual minds and artists."
Over four days there will be 24 featured designers from Canada, the United States and Greenland showcasing their unique designs, textiles, and interpretations of Indigenous fashion.
In addition to the runway shows, there are also workshops running through the afternoon each day where participants can learn skills like Navajo rug weaving. There's also an introductory beading class.
Indigenous Fashion Week Toronto runs until Sunday, June 3 at the Brigantine Room, 235 Queen's Quay West.
Rhiannon Johnson is an Anishinaabe journalist from Hiawatha First Nation based in Toronto. She has been with the Indigenous unit since 2017 focusing on Indigenous life and experiences throughout Ontario. You can reach her at rhiannon.johnson@cbc.ca and on Twitter @rhijhnsn.