Our Story

BUY TICKETS: VIFW 2025
Members of the VIFW Wisdom Circle

Uplifting Indigenous Design

Showcasing the ingenuity of 30+ accomplished Indigenous fashion designers from across Turtle Island, the event offers an exclusive platform for unveiling their latest seasonal inspirations.

The main events will showcase Indigenous fashion, art, drumming, dance, singing, and more through four themed nights, featuring captivating fashion shows, vibrant pop-up shops, cultural showcases, interactive art installations, and empowering educational workshops.

This immersive experience will celebrate the rich diversity of Indigenous creativity, fostering a deeper appreciation for Indigenous art forms and cultural traditions.

WISDOM CIRCLE

Our Wisdom Circle consists of a core advisory council of 12 Indigenous Elders, artisans, changemakers, and community leaders. The Wisdom Circle provides guidance to the team on strategic development, youth mentorship, and events to ensure that all activities are aligned with Indigenous values and appropriate cross-cultural engagement.

The members of the Wisdom Circle will co-produce this year’s Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. We are honoured to have their collective input and creativity to make this year’s event shine!

  • A woman with long brown hair smiling against an orange background. This is Pam Baker from Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week.

    Himikalas Pam Baker

  • Portrait of a woman wearing a large black hat, a black and red patterned shirt, and a silver necklace, against a plain gray background from Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week.

    Christine Leo

  • Woman with short black hair, glasses, wearing a red and black winter coat, and black pants standing against a plain light-coloured wall. Her name is Yolonda Skelton from Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week.

    Yolonda Skelton

  • A woman with long dark hair sitting in a room with wood-paneled walls from Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week.

    Debra sparrow

  • Woman wearing traditional indigenous accessories and clothing, including a brown headband with a white button, large earrings, and a beaded necklace, standing in front of a wooden background from Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week.

    Charlene Aleck

  • A woman with shoulder-length brown hair smiling, wearing a yellow turtleneck and a black cardigan with colourful patterns, standing in front of wooden paneling at Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week.

    Ginger Gosnel-Meyers

  • A woman with long black hair wearing a red outfit with black and white embroidery, standing in front of a wooden door at Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week.

    Kris Archie

  • An elderly woman with gray hair, wearing a red jacket with black accents and red earrings, standing in front of wooden cabinets at Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week.

    Ruth Alfred

  • A woman with long gray hair, wearing a black turtleneck and large earrings, standing in front of wooden paneled walls at Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week.

    Alexis MacDonald Seto

  • Woman with long dark hair, wearing large earrings, a black outfit, and a blue patterned shawl, standing in front of wooden paneling at Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week.

    Marissa Nahanee

  • A woman with long, dark braided hair wearing large silver hoop earrings and a red and black patterned top, standing in front of a wooden door.

    Mandy Nahanee

  • A woman with dark hair, glasses, and a striped scarf smiling against a plain white background at Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week.

    Andrea Reimer

  • A digital pattern of geometric shapes resembling stylized orange fish arranged in different orientations and groupings on a dark blue background.

    Sharon Jinkersson Brass

  • A man with glasses holding a colorful, painted wooden paddle in front of a gradient background with a stylized fish design at Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week.

    Maynard Johnny Jr.

  • A digital pattern of geometric shapes resembling stylized orange fish arranged in different orientations and groupings on a black background.

    Joan Delorme

  • A digital pattern of geometric shapes resembling stylized orange fish arranged in different orientations and groupings on a dark blue background.

    Inez Cook

  • A digital pattern of geometric shapes resembling stylized orange fish arranged in different orientations and groupings on a black background.

    Denise Williams

Meet Our General Manager, Caroline Phelps

From taking Pam Baker’s self-confidence course at 12 years old to leading one of the biggest Indigenous fashion events in Canada, Caroline has come full circle. She’s not just organizing a runway — she’s creating safe spaces for Indigenous artists, designers, and performers to be celebrated, uplifted, and empowered.

Meet Our Cultural Advisor, Maynard Johnny Jr.

With roots in the Coast Salish and Kwakwaka’wakw Nations, Maynard brings not only his artistry, but his heart, teachings, and cultural grounding to everything we do. As a Cultural Advisor, he ensures we move with respect, intention, and deep connection to community.

Maynard reminds us that fashion is just one expression of something much bigger: identity, belonging, and the strength of our Ancestors behind us. He also holds space for the men in our VIFW circle and reminds us that their voices, stories, and presence are vital to our cultural revitalization.

Indigenous model in red dress standing in Vancouver's Museum of Anthropology

Authentic Representation

VIFW aims to address crucial issues by challenging stereotypes and promoting greater understanding and appreciation of Indigenous fashion and culture. Through our programming, we hope to dismantle harmful narratives, foster cultural authenticity, and inspire positive change within the fashion industry. Additionally, VIFW is dedicated to promoting ethical and sustainable fashion practices, highlighting the environmental and social impact of the industry and encouraging responsible consumption and production.

Meet the Team

  • A woman with glasses, dark hair, and a black and white patterned blouse, smiling against a plain gray background at Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week.

    Caroline Phelps

    General Manager

  • A man with glasses holding a colorful, painted wooden paddle in front of a gradient background with a stylized fish design at Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week.

    Maynard Johnny Jr.

    Cultural Advisor

  • Joleen Mitton

    Founder & Artistic Director

  • A digital pattern of geometric shapes resembling stylized orange fish arranged in different orientations and groupings on a dark blue background.

    Faith Dew

    Manager of Designers

  • Close-up black and white photo of a young man with short hair, a beard, and mustache, looking slightly to the side and smiling softly at Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week.

    Robert Wilson

    Production Supervisor

  • A woman with shoulder-length dark hair and earrings is smiling at the camera, wearing a black top against a gray background at Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week.

    Kerriann Cardinal

    Backstage Coordinator

  • A woman with long, wavy hair and bright pink lipstick, wearing a black top and a wide-brimmed hat, smiling at the camera at Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week.

    Marlayna Pincott

    Manager of Make Up

  • A woman with shoulder-length, wavy dark hair with lighter highlights, wearing large, cage-style earrings, a black top, and a black leather jacket, smiling at the camera against a plain white background.

    Krystal Dumais

    Manager of Hair and Styling

  • Portrait of a woman with dark hair styled in a topknot, wearing a sheer black blouse, a black silk bow tie, and a black leather jacket, standing against a gray textured background  at Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week.

    Vee Pho

    Runway Coordinator

  • A digital pattern of geometric shapes resembling stylized orange fish arranged in different orientations and groupings on a black background.

    Wendy Nahanee

    Makers Market Coordinator

  • A woman with long dark hair wearing a knit headband with red and white patterns, a brown cardigan, and a white top with floral embroidery, standing outdoors among tall grass or reeds at Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week.

    Candace Curr-Metz

    Hospitality Coordinator

  • A woman with short, styled hair and a nose piercing smiling, standing against a red brick wall, wearing a pink top and a black checkered blazer with arms crossed at Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week.

    Jocelyn Macdougall

    Fundraising Advisor

  • A digital pattern of geometric shapes resembling stylized orange fish arranged in different orientations and groupings on a dark blue background.

    Chatman Shaw

    Fundraising Manager

  • Woman with long wavy hair wearing glasses, red lipstick, and a white jacket, smiling at Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week.

    Emily Chow

    Marketing Coordinator

  • A woman with long wavy hair and a nose ring wearing a black top and a white shawl with black abstract patterns at Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week.

    Marinie Scow

    Backstage Auntie

  • A woman with short dark hair, light skin, and a gentle smile wearing a black top with red, yellow, and green floral patterns, against a dark gray background  at Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week.

    Denice Jagic

    Ticketing Coordinator

  • A digital pattern of geometric shapes resembling stylized orange fish arranged in different orientations and groupings on a black background.

    Brian Nguyen

    Lead Fashion Photographer / Bookkeeper

  • A digital pattern of geometric shapes resembling stylized orange fish arranged in different orientations and groupings on a dark blue background.

    Miami Benz

    Runway Consultant

  • A digital pattern of geometric shapes resembling stylized orange fish arranged in different orientations and groupings on a black background.

    Ashlee Conery

    Joleen’s Assistant

  • A digital pattern of geometric shapes resembling stylized orange fish arranged in different orientations and groupings on a dark blue background.

    Kevvi Gosnell

    Runway Assist

  • A digital pattern of geometric shapes resembling stylized orange fish arranged in different orientations and groupings on a black background.

    Tamara Whitford

    Runway Assist

  • A digital pattern of geometric shapes resembling stylized orange fish arranged in different orientations and groupings on a dark blue background.

    Remko Hess

    Production Assist

  • A digital pattern of geometric shapes resembling stylized orange fish arranged in different orientations and groupings on a black background.

    Alexa Blyan

    Marketing Assist

  • A digital pattern of geometric shapes resembling stylized orange fish arranged in different orientations and groupings on a dark blue background.

    Chelsea Behnsen

    Make up Assist

  • A digital pattern of geometric shapes resembling stylized orange fish arranged in different orientations and groupings on a black background.

    Kenidy Crouter

    Hair Assist

  • A digital pattern of geometric shapes resembling stylized orange fish arranged in different orientations and groupings on a dark blue background.

    Sare Nelson

    Hair Assist

  • A digital pattern of geometric shapes resembling stylized orange fish arranged in different orientations and groupings on a black background.

    Marijka Asbeek Russe

    Production Assist

  • A man smiling, wearing glasses and a dark suit

    Darnell Stager

    Whistler Fashion Event Liaison

  • A digital pattern of geometric shapes resembling stylized orange fish arranged in different orientations and groupings on a dark blue background.

    Nicole Johnson

    Make Up Assist

VIFW models walking down the runway

Our History

Vancouver’s first Indigenous Fashion Week (VIFW) took to the runway from July 26-29, 2017 at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre and Museum of Anthropology (MOA). Showcasing collections from Indigenous fashion designers and models from across the country, with two shows each day, the inaugural 4-day event had an audience of 4,550. VIFW was an independent production that later partnered with the City of Vancouver’s The Drum is Calling Festival. 

The second VIFW was held November 18-21, 2019 at both The Orpheum Theatre and Queen Elizabeth Theatre and saw similar numbers in attendance. The opening gala was held at The Orpheum Theatre featuring a powerful Red Dress Ceremony to honour and remember the many Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls across Canada (MMIWG).

From November 28 to December 2, 2022, VIFW was back for a third event that showcased the works of 32 Indigenous designers from across Turtle Island at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. 

VIFW model walking down the runway

Our Philosophy

Fashion is a powerful means of expressing one's identity, sense of place, and personal creativity. Throughout history, humans have adorned themselves with clothing, jewellery, and talismans to explore symbolism, beauty, and belonging, as our forms of living and presenting evolve. 

At VIFW, we highlight how fashion can build connections with Indigenous values, wisdom, and history, becoming a powerful tool for the cultivation of strength and resiliency in Indigenous communities, as well as a vehicle for understanding and reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.

VIFW is committed to facilitating reconciliation through collaboration and dialogue about fashion, identity, story, art, and representation. Our fashion is Wearable Culture, and it unites artists, cultural creatives, leaders, and the curious in celebrating the stories inherent in the creation of each piece. Through showcasing the expression and evolution of Indigenous designers from across Turtle Island, VIFW bridges the past, present, and future of Indigenous resurgence in the heart of the city.