WATCH — Far from home, I saw my culture at Indigenous Fashion Arts Festival

Opening night of Indigenous Fashion Arts Festival featured six designers

When I was assigned to cover an Indigenous fashion show, I didn’t know what to expect.

The show took place at the Eaton Centre in Toronto, Ontario, on Thursday, as part of the Indigenous Fashion Arts Festival.

I had a media invitation to see some of Canada’s top Indigenous designers.

The opening event featured six fashion designers from Alaska, Canada and even Denmark. 

The massive mall was transformed from the usual hustle and bustle of shoppers into a runway for designs I wasn’t sure I would recognize.

To my surprise, I saw the design techniques of my Dakota Nation on full display, worn by models walking down the runway.

Here are some of the looks I saw and things I won’t forget.

A familiar name

I wouldn’t describe myself as knowledgeable about fashion.

Standing on the side of the massive runway, I felt out of my comfort zone.

That was until I looked up at the giant dreamcatcher above the runway displaying the names of designers as their pieces were presented.

I saw a familiar name: K. Lookinghorse.

The giant virtual dreamcatcher above the end of the runway, displaying the names of designers whose work was on the runway. (Image credit: Taylor O’Brien/CBC)

I immediately knew that was a Dakota name, a name like mine, a name that made me feel like home.

Far away from the familiar surroundings of the Dakota Plains First Nation near Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, and out of my element, I saw something so personal.

Even just seeing the name made me feel like I was back home, comfortable.

Then, the designs came down the runway.

Some Dakota dress designs featured from K. Lookinghorse on the runway. (Image credit: Nadya Kwandibens/Red Works Photography)

There I saw designs, stitches and concepts I had learned from my grandmother, from my elders, displayed for hundreds at this event in new, high-fashion ways.

Click play to see what Sophia Smoke saw at the Indigenous Fashion Arts Festival’s opening night runway

Arctic designs

From the familiar to the new, I was introduced to Arctic designs for the first time.

Arctic Luxe displayed their full-fur collection.

Before this night, I had never seen these designs up close.

They showed off Inupiaq innovation from Alaska.

The designs of Arctic Luxe featured many fur displays. (Image credit: Nadya Kwandibens/Red Works Photography)

I felt like it expanded my own view of how big our world is, underlining for me that there is always more to learn about other Indigenous cultures.

It reminded me that despite how different we are in our nations, it was cool to see that even in our designs and our fashion and our clothing, there are things that tie us together.

I saw things like fine beadwork, stitches, patterns, florals, fur and more.

Fashion as a way to have a conversation

By taking in several events at the Indigenous Fashion Arts Festival, including speaking to designers and attending the opening runway show, I learned a lot.

Maybe the most important thing was that clothing can be used as a way to share expression.

The clothes we choose can be a way to send a message or make a statement about who you are and what you value.

During the middle part of the show, one model walked out with the Palestinian flag draped over her shoulders.

The model from designer Bibi Chemnitz, who is based in Copenhagen, Denmark, walked the runway with a Palestinian flag over her shoulders. (Image credit: Nadya Kwandibens/Red Works Photography)

I watched as many people in the crowd cheered and clapped.

It hit me that this was what I had learned about: imparting a message through clothes and art.

In that moment, it felt like we were all part of a conversation that wouldn’t have happened without the art of fashion.

Tune in next week to see my full video on Indigenous expression and fashion.

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TOP IMAGE CREDIT: Nadya Kwandibens/Red Works Photography, Angelica Cooper/CBC, design by Angelica Cooper/CBC