URBAN REGALIA COLLECTION

AT VANCOUVER INDIGENOUS FASHION WEEK 2017

This collection was inspired by my late maternal grandmother Lily Jackson (Na-gwa) who taught me our Gitxsan culture through oral tradition.

Sugiit Lukxs Designs Yolonda Skelton's Collection "Urban Regalia" Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Show 2017 at the Queen Elizabeth Theater

Sugiit Lukxs Designs Yolonda Skelton's Collection "Urban Regalia" Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Show 2017 at the Queen Elizabeth Theater

Montana Howe in “Killer Whale Chilkat Wrap” made out of Ultrasuede & Cashmere. This design is my interpretation of my ancestors Chilkat style woven blankets. It, and my Grandmother were my inspiration for this collection.

Montana Howe in “Killer Whale Chilkat Wrap” made out of Ultrasuede & Cashmere. This design is my interpretation of my ancestors Chilkat style woven blankets. It, and my Grandmother were my inspiration for this collection. I wanted this garment to be for power house women in the modern world, to empower and ground them.

Montana Howe in “Killer Whale Chilkat Wrap” from the "Urban Regalia" Collection.

Montana Howe in “Killer Whale Chilkat Wrap” from the "Urban Regalia" Collection.

Jessica Rose Dombro in “Chilkat Shrug Set with Salmon Head Purse" from the "Urban Regalia" Collection.

Jessica Rose Dombro in “Chilkat Shrug Set with Salmon Head Purse" from the "Urban Regalia" Collection.

Jessica Rose Dombro in “Chilkat Shrug Set with Salmon Head Purse" made of Boiled Wool and Ultrasuede. This design was also inspired by the Chilkat designs found on our traditional tunics and leggings. I wanted this garment to be for a business woma

Jessica Rose Dombro in “Chilkat Shrug Set with Salmon Head Purse" made of Boiled Wool and Ultrasuede. This design was also inspired by the Chilkat designs found on our traditional tunics and leggings. I wanted this garment to be for a business woman. One who is wearing her culture with pride and grace, while she navigates the modern world.

Willow Riley in “Chilkat Top and Pant” made of Ultrasuede, Beaver and Pleated Chiffon. This design was inspired by Chilkat designs found on our tunics and leggings. I wanted to modernize it, but also highlight the traditional beaver to honour my g

Willow Riley in “Chilkat Top and Pant” made of Ultrasuede, Beaver and Pleated Chiffon. This design was inspired by Chilkat designs found on our tunics and leggings. I wanted to modernize it, but also highlight the traditional beaver to honour my grandfather. This outfit was created for the "Warrior Woman” in all of us. You can see their bearing change as it empowers the wearer.

Willow Riley in “Chilkat Top and Pant” from the "Urban Regalia" Collection.

Willow Riley in “Chilkat Top and Pant” from the "Urban Regalia" Collection.

Mnookmi Severight in “Sisulth Shrug” from the "Urban Regalia" Collection.

Mnookmi Severight in “Sisulth Shrug” from the "Urban Regalia" Collection.

Mnookmi Severight in “Sisulth Shrug” made of Navy Wool and Ultrasuede. This design was inspired by cultural teachings of the “Thunderbird and Sisulth,” as told to me and my class by Kwa’kwaka’wakw Artist Kevin Cranmer. The lightning snakes are a s

Mnookmi Severight in “Sisulth Shrug” made of Navy Wool and Ultrasuede. This design was inspired by cultural teachings of the “Thunderbird and Sisulth,” as told to me and my class by Kwa’kwaka’wakw Artist Kevin Cranmer. The lightning snakes are a symbol of protection and when in the modern world, we still need that talisman to protect us.

Erika Trube in “Thunderbird Shawl Dress with Salmon Head Purse" made of Sable Suede and Ultrasuede. This design was part of my own cultural teachings of the Thunderbird and is also inspired by Audrey Hepburn. I wanted women to feel like a lady in

Erika Trube in “Thunderbird Shawl Dress with Salmon Head Purse" made of Sable Suede and Ultrasuede. This design was part of my own cultural teachings of the Thunderbird and is also inspired by Audrey Hepburn. I wanted women to feel like a lady in something totally glamorous. Yet, be strengthened by the Thunderbirds energy and power.

Erika Trube in “Thunderbird Shawl Dress and Salmon Head Purse" from the "Urban Regalia" Collection.

Erika Trube in “Thunderbird Shawl Dress and Salmon Head Purse" from the "Urban Regalia" Collection.

Molly Rader in "Double Eagle Wrap with Feather Purse" from the "Urban Regalia" Collection.

Molly Rader in "Double Eagle Wrap with Feather Purse" from the "Urban Regalia" Collection.

Molly Rader in "Double Eagle Wrap with Feather Purse" made of Cashmere and Ultrasuede. This wrap and purse were inspired by my love for eagles, and Nun-naay Maude Moody and Chin-naay Watson Pryce (the late Chief Gaahlaay), who adopted me into The Ts

Molly Rader in "Double Eagle Wrap with Feather Purse" made of Cashmere and Ultrasuede. This wrap and purse were inspired by my love for eagles, and Nun-naay Maude Moody and Chin-naay Watson Pryce (the late Chief Gaahlaay), who adopted me into The Ts’aahl Clan on Haida Gwaii. When you wear this garment you are wrapped in your culture and it keeps you strong.

Trinity Summer in "Double Killer Whale Dress" made of Satin-backed Crepe and Ultrasuede. This dress is inspired by Audrey Hepburn for her elegance and grace. It also tells an oral story about the “White Killer Whale” (Go-mes-nech) who steals hims

Trinity Summer in "Double Killer Whale Dress" made of Satin-backed Crepe and Ultrasuede. This dress is inspired by Audrey Hepburn for her elegance and grace. It also tells an oral story about the “White Killer Whale” (Go-mes-nech) who steals himself a wife, and then her husband (Goo-nach-nis-em) who then steals her back.

Trinity Summer in "Double Killer Whale" Dress from the "Urban Regalia" Collection.

Trinity Summer in "Double Killer Whale" Dress from the "Urban Regalia" Collection.

Nikke Goodwill in “Octopus Shrug and Canoe Dress” from the "Urban Regalia" Collection.

Nikke Goodwill in “Octopus Shrug and Canoe Dress” from the "Urban Regalia" Collection.

Nikke Goodwill in “Octopus Shrug and Canoe Dress” made of Cashmere, Ultrasuede, and Ponti. This was inspired to honour my late Haida uncle Tom Hans. It is one of their legends of the Great Octopus (Naaw). I wanted people to see that our oral stori

Nikke Goodwill in “Octopus Shrug and Canoe Dress” made of Cashmere, Ultrasuede, and Ponti. This was inspired to honour my late Haida uncle Tom Hans. It is one of their legends of the Great Octopus (Naaw). I wanted people to see that our oral stories are a living breathing tradition that can be represented in many ways. This garment can open up a conversation to teach about oral stories.

Alana Kiwetin Iskwew in "Eagle Dress with Salmon Head Purse" made of Sable Suede and Ultrasuede. My Maternal Great Grandfather was an Eagle and that is another reason I use this crest when designing. This Little Black Dress is embellished with an

Alana Kiwetin Iskwew in "Eagle Dress with Salmon Head Purse" made of Sable Suede and Ultrasuede. My Maternal Great Grandfather was an Eagle and that is another reason I use this crest when designing. This Little Black Dress is embellished with an eagle on both the front and back. It was inspired by the fact that every woman needs a Little Black Dress.

Alana Kiwetin Iskwew in "Eagle Dress with Salmon Head Purse" from the "Urban Regalia" Collection.

Alana Kiwetin Iskwew in "Eagle Dress with Salmon Head Purse" from the "Urban Regalia" Collection.

Jaymyn La Vallee in "Double Killer Whale Dress" with Salmon Head Short Coat made of Satin-backed Crepe and Sherpa, and Ultrasuede. This dress was inspired by my crest which is Killer Whale and its need of salmon to survive. It shows the interconnec

Jaymyn La Vallee in "Double Killer Whale Dress" with Salmon Head Short Coat made of Satin-backed Crepe and Sherpa, and Ultrasuede. This dress was inspired by my crest which is Killer Whale and its need of salmon to survive. It shows the interconnectedness of our ecosystems. The short coat has a very elegant, sophisticated look buttoned up and then it has a more casual look when undone.

Jaymyn La Vallee in "Double Killer Whale Dress with Salmon Head Short Coat" from the "Urban Regalia" Collection.

Jaymyn La Vallee in "Double Killer Whale Dress with Salmon Head Short Coat" from the "Urban Regalia" Collection.

Linsay Wheeler Canada's Next Top Model Runner up in my "Fireweed Cape with Killer Whale Scarf" from the "Urban Regalia" Collection.

Linsay Wheeler Canada's Next Top Model Runner up in my "Fireweed Cape with Killer Whale Scarf" from the "Urban Regalia" Collection.

Linsay Wheeler Canada's Next Top Model Runner up in my "Fireweed Cape with Killer Whale Scarf" made of Cashmere and Ultrasuede. This is a garment I made for myself so that I can have my culture wrapped around me. It has a Fireweed design which is m

Linsay Wheeler Canada's Next Top Model Runner up in my "Fireweed Cape with Killer Whale Scarf" made of Cashmere and Ultrasuede. This is a garment I made for myself so that I can have my culture wrapped around me. It has a Fireweed design which is my clan and the Killer Whale which is my crest. I use this cape in place of my regalia blanket. I call them “Modern Day Robes of Power.” It enables me to tell people about my culture and where I come from.

Alicia Hanton in "Rainbow Salmon Head Shawl" made of Cashmere and Ultrasuede. This garment was inspired by the salmon who are in much need of protection by “Rainbow Warriors” from around the globe, those who are coming together in their respective

Alicia Hanton in "Rainbow Salmon Head Shawl" made of Cashmere and Ultrasuede. This garment was inspired by the salmon who are in much need of protection by “Rainbow Warriors” from around the globe, those who are coming together in their respective countries to help protect the waters and the earth. It also represents our Two Spirits who are highly revered in my culture. This piece is very special to me, as it represents hope for a better world.

Alicia Hanton in "Rainbow Salmon Head Shawl" from the "Urban Regalia" Collection.

Alicia Hanton in "Rainbow Salmon Head Shawl" from the "Urban Regalia" Collection.

Sugiit Lukxs Designs Yolonda Skelton Designer of "Urban Regalia" Collection in "Killer Whale Poncho."

Sugiit Lukxs Designs Yolonda Skelton Designer of "Urban Regalia" Collection in "Killer Whale Poncho."

Urban Regalia Collection

Finale walk in the beautiful Queen Elizabeth Theater for Yolonda Skelton’s Urban Regalia Collection by Sugiit Lukxs Designs at Vancouver Indigenous Fashion week 2017. Thank you Joleen Mitton and theVIFW videographers for capturing the moment and sharing this clip.

Ha’mii’ya,

Yolonda Skelton