designers

Nation: Musqueam

Debra and Aleen Sparrow, a dynamic mother-daughter duo hailing from Musqueam, proudly unite their creative forces to craft a stunning fashion collection that pays homage to their Salish heritage. With a shared passion for weaving, they have seamlessly transitioned their intricate designs onto clothing, melding traditional craftsmanship with contemporary fashion. Drawing inspiration from the rich Salish textiles, Aleen and Debra are committed to preserving the essence of their culture through their collection. Every garment is a testament to their dedication to using all-natural fibers, reflecting their reverence for the environment and ancestral traditions.   Debra Sparrow, a masterful weaver with decades of experience, brings authenticity to every stitch. Her intricate designs are a window into the history and stories of the Musqueam people. Each piece embodies the spirit of resilience and wisdom passed down through generations.  Aleen Sparrow, a visionary artist, brings a modern twist to Salish patterns, infusing them with her unique perspective. Her innate talent for weaving translates effortlessly into fashion, resulting in garments that are not just pieces of clothing, but living works of art. Together, they create a collection that transcends mere clothing; it's a tribute to their culture, a celebration of craftsmanship, and a statement of sustainability. Debra and Aleen Sparrow invite you to experience the magic of Salish textiles, woven with love and reverence, and to join them on a journey that melds tradition and modernity in the world of fashion.

Nation:  Cayuga, Turtle Clan, Six Nations of the Grand River

Bruno Henry, is Cayuga, Turtle Clan, and is a member of Six Nations of the Grand River. Now living in Toronto and spending time in northern Ontario, he continues to bring his artistic visions to life through photography, hand-tied leather clothing design, jewellery, and stone carvings. He is a self-taught artist, known for his imaginative and unique blending of modern adaptable styles with traditional designs. One can immediately see and feel how Bruno puts his calm and peaceful energies into his hand painted earrings and necklaces designed from natural materials such as leather, rawhide, antler and feathers. Each work is uniquely styled, shaped and painted with differing clan animals, landscapes  and spirit symbols.

Nation: Kwakiutl

Scarlet Delirium is a Port Coquitlam based Kwakiutl designer and performer guaranteed to make your head spin. 

Since graduating from Capilano University’s Costuming for Stage & Screen program in 2015, the official Panty Auntie of BC Burlesque has been designing for herself and her community, and her creations have been teased and tested on stages all over Turtle Island. As an artist, she prides herself on sharing Good Medicine with audiences, painting the town red, and leaving them wondering which way is up.

Scarlet’s burlesque background informs her design aesthetic, which is a compelling marriage of strut and smut: combining showgirl glam, Kwakiutl cool, and a dash of old-fashioned raunch.

Her intricate, imaginative designs showcase her philosophy that everyone—especially Indigenous people—deserve to be desirable and powerful in their clothes… or out of them.

Nation: Snuneymuxw First Nation

Ay Lelum is a second generation Coast Salish Design House located on the Snuneymuxw First Nation in Nanaimo, BC. Sisters, Aunalee and Sophia, design and produce garments at their facility and storefront, mentored in fashion design by their Mother, Sandra Moorhouse-Good. Ay Lelum manufactures ready wear collections in Vancouver, BC using eco-friendly fabrics whenever possible and creates Couture in house. They collaborate with and feature traditional Coast Salish artwork by their brother Joel Good and Father Dr. William Good, in the traditional Snuneymuxw art style. They incorporate family designs into fabric patterns for their collections and utilize eco-friendly fabrics, making their couture pieces in Nanaimo and manufacturing ready wear in Vancouver. Each collection is inspired by family artwork and cultural teachings by their Father, while following strict cultural protocols and hul’q’minum' Law to create a modern form of Storytelling through garment design. They record their own music as part of the design process and are verified Spotify Artists. Ay Lelum was awarded a 2018 Indigenous Business of the Year Award through the BC Achievement Foundation and are recipients of the 2021 Excellence in Culture Award through the City of Nanaimo. Ay Lelum also have Original Original and Authentic Indigenous accreditation, as well as are CCAB Members.

https://www.aylelum.com/

Nation: Cree / Dene

Osamuskwasis is a Cree / Dene woman from pigeon lake Alberta Canada in treaty no. 6 territory. She comes from a wonderful family of artists, dancers and singers. Her love for her culture shines through her intricate and colourful designs and palettes. Her work focuses on the beauty of her cree and dene cultures and she brings the stories to life through fashion.

https://osamuskwasis.com/

Nation: Inuit

April Allen, a contemporary Inuk artist and designer from Rigolet, Nunatsiavut, intricately weaves her Inuit heritage into every design as the creative mind behind "Stitched by April." Drawing inspiration from her culture, April's passion for traditional crafts is palpable in her meticulous attention to detail. Her journey in the artistic realm began with observing her mother's skilled hands, fostering a deep connection to her culture's crafts of beading, and sewing.

Since 2022, April has been a prominent figure in the Indigenous artistic community, showcasing her work at prestigious events like Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week and New York Fashion Week. She takes immense pride in presenting her designs on such renowned platforms. Continually driven by innovation, April explores new designs while passionately sharing her craft with Indigenous youth across Northern Canada virtually. By incorporating her designs into her teachings, she aims to inspire and promote healing through artistic expression, fostering connections with the younger generation.

Nation: hunkpapa/Itazipco Lakota/Dakota

Kayla Looking Horse-Smith is hunkpapa/Itazipco Lakota/Dakota from the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. Her heritage is artfully woven into her designs. K.lookinghorse is a contemporary brand that honors the designer’s heritage with an aesthetic specific to her tiospaye' (family). Her signature symbols, three lines Horizontal pays homage to the past, present and future.  Forging her own path by creating iconic printed dresses and signature jackets which are the cornerstone of the K. Lookinghorse brand.

Traditional Name: Himikalas

Nation: Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, Musgamagw Dzawada'enuxw, Kwakiuł, and Tlingit.

Pam Baker is of Squamish ancestry on her father’s side and is of Musgamagw Dzawada'enuxw/ Kwakiuł/Tlingit ancestry on her mother’s side. Many years ago, she began a lifelong search to provide First Nations people a stage to showcase their culture and mentor indigenous youth and work with her First Nations communities.

In regards to textiles and clothing for hot weather, Himikalas attended Capilano University where she trained in the Textile Arts Program.  What breathes and what would be appropriate for office wear.

As a single mother Himikalas moved with her two sons age 4 and 10 to Los Angeles, California to study at Otis College of Art and Design where she obtained her degree in Fashion Design.  Her newly acquired degree provided here with the technical skills and business acumen to focus on designing a future honoring her ancestors.  Baker started creating her own unique fashion and jewelry with her First Nation West Coast design. She recently completed the  FIND program at The Wilson School of Design at KPU, and graduated top of the class.  Where she has updated her skills in Photoshop and Illustrator as well as am now a certified operator a laser cutter.

Baker has been showcasing her one-of-a-kind pieces since 1988, as well as coordinating fashion shows and models since then.  Himikalas was also selected as one of the top 3 designers in Canada to design for the 2010 Olympics Fashion show and designed regalia for our Squamish representatives for the opening ceremonies.  Pam has also owned T.O.C.N.T.I fashion school, and Copperknot Jewelry and Touch of Culture since 1988 and is now collaborating with Roz Stanton in designing metal art.