Written by Colleen Tsoukalas
Photos by Dianna Drahanchuk
This was the Red Dress Showcase, so the runway featured red and attendees were asked to wear red in honor and memory of the lost and murdered indigenous women across Canada. Red, the color of passion, blood, heart and life brought us together on the runway, in the audience and everywhere inside and outside of the Queen Elizabeth Plaza.
Mandy Nahanee is such a powerful emcee, leading us in a celebration of Indigenous culture, its history and resilience. We were compelled, following her example, to sing, to dance, to raise fists, to mourn, to be angry, to be awed, to smile. Lorelei Williams, also an impressive emcee and community leader, especially for youth, led the Butterflies in Spirit Dancers, in a quest that tragically, is ongoing. This dance and the song, "Sisterz". by rappers JB The First Lady and Chief Rock Enter Tribal, truly emphasized loss and grief: "I'm looking for my sister, where did she go..?" An Eagle Dance, also brought families who lost loved ones, to the floor.
We saw 8 designers, this evening, including the jewellery and clothing of Bill Reid (from the Bill Reid Gallery) and many artifacts from The Museum of Anthropology. It was, in so many ways, a night of partnerships, collaborations and immersion.
Derek Packer
Evan Ducharme
Dominique Hanke
Linda Kay
Bill Reid (vest)
Curtis Oland (his models raised their fists as they walked. The audience did too.
Mia Hunt
Dorothy Grant
The designs say it all. For further details and you know you want them, go to VIFW.
Thank you to Dianna Drahanchuk for the photos.
Mandy Nahanee
First up, we met 10 year old Derek Packer, who
made a special dress for his sister.
made a special dress for his sister.
Evan Ducharme's ATAVISM (resiliency and strength) collection,
a testament to his Metis heritage. This was a collaboration with 3 other
artisans. The Metis sash belts were woven by his material grandmother,
Cathy Allard.
The straw hats and the 40's portrait style hat are by Dominique Hanke of Hive Mind
Millinery. Katie Garnham made leather keychains featuring the words:
RESIST, DECOLONIZE, UNSETTLE. (Thank you, Evan for the brochure containing
the descriptions, the credits and the photographs. You teach all of us, this way).
Linda Kay's collection
Linda Kay and models
Bill Reid vest jacket
Butterflies in Spirit (founded by Lorelei Williams) dancer
Rapper, JB, singing "Sisterz"
The Eagle Dance
Curtis Oland's collection
Designer, Curtis Oland
Mia Hunt's collection
Designer Mia Hunt and models
Dorothy Grant's collection
Dorothy Grant
