Indigenous Canada
From fashion week to Las Vegas
FOLLOWING A SUCCESSFUL DEBUT AT NEW YORK FASHION WEEK IN SEPTEMBER , INDIGENOUS DESIGNER STEPHANIE CROWCHILD PUT ON A BESPOKE FASHION SHOW IN LAS VEGAS ALONGSIDE DESTINATION CANADA
N ew York Fashion Week experienced a dazzling array of Indigenous designs in September , as Stephanie Crowchild debuted her self-titled fashion label .
Known for converting wool blankets from Hudson ’ s Bay and Pendleton , Stephanie Eagletail Designs ’ blanket coats are inspired by her Indigenous identity and traditions . Crowchild is from Tsuu T ’ ina in Treaty 7 Territory near Calgary , Alberta ; it ’ s a heritage which features heavily in her designs . She explained : “ My late grandfather , Fred Eagletail , would often wear Hudson ’ s Bay blanket coats to events he would attend in Calgary , and when he passed , we uncovered his large collection of Hudson ’ s Bay blankets .
“ It inspired me to create my own version as a way to honour him and to decolonise an item that is so representative of HBC ’ s past with Indigenous Peoples . I feel deeply honoured that I can show my designs on this global platform and represent my community .”
The label debuted a 10-piece collection to an international audience at Studio Arte on 9 September as part of RISE New York Fashion Week ( RISE NYFW ). The event itself is designed to be a platform that showcases the work of talented emerging designers – enabling Indigenous designers like Crowchild to demonstrate their work on a global stage .
Each piece presented on the runway drew inspiration from Crowchild ’ s Kokums and Chapans heritage ( grandmother and great-grandmother in Crowchild ’ s traditional Cree language ) and was crafted skillfully using upcycled wool materials , including HBC Multistripe Point Blankets – designed to prompt discussion around the complex history of Indigenous Peoples and colonisers in Canada .
“ Showcasing in NYC during fashion week is an incredible accomplishment , and we want to congratulate Stephanie on this milestone moment in her journey ,” commented Tiffany Bourré , DVP , of Communications and Heritage at The Bay . “ Stephanie is carrying forward a tradition of her family , and of her community , and we look forward to building on our relationship and the work we are doing together .”
IMEX America At IMEX America , which took place in Las Vegas 17-19 October 2023 , Crowchild was invited by Destination Canada to host a fashion show alongside the industry trade show . The runway was set up under the Eifel Tower at the Paris Hotel and Casino on the Las Vegas strip and included clips of the New York
Above : Stephanie Crowchild
Fashion Week pieces , Indigenous art , and culture .
Showcasing Crowchild ’ s designs at a bespoke fashion show alongside IMEX was an initative as part of Destination Canada ’ s sustainability commitments , which champion Indigenous cultures , art , and authentic incentives .
On Indigenous-run incentives that demonstrate the unique cultures across Canada , Jennifer Attersall , director of Incentive Travel at Destination Canada , said : “ Experiences like these are entirely authentic to a destination , which is what makes it so special and meaningful to incentive winners .” n
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