Indigenous Fashion Arts Culture New Showcase

The Indigenous Fashion Arts festival took place at CF Toronto Eaton Centre in Canada, and this year’s theme was Reverence & Conviction.

The Indigenous Fashion Arts Festival, which is a biannual festival, took place at CF Toronto Eaton Centre in Canada, from May 30 to June 2. The entire event consisted of runway shows, an extensive marketplace, a “Fashioning Resurgence Symposium” featuring discussions as well as a masterclass, and various workshops at Toronto Metropolitan University.

The goal of this event was to celebrate Indigenous culture, bringing together both Indigenous people and those from outside the culture. It also presented an opportunity for smaller artists to combine contemporary and traditional art. Additionally, it also encourages sustainability, diversity, and the sustainable values that Indigenous culture is built upon.

Exciting news! The 2024 IFA Festival will be at CF Toronto Eaton Centre, May 30 – June 2. Join us for a sartorial celebration of Indigenous sovereignty with nightly Runway Shows and a Marketplace featuring global Indigenous artists. Thank you @cftoeatoncentre for your support! pic.twitter.com/9Dkl58PQsS

— Indigenous Fashion Arts (@indfashionarts) April 18, 2024

The IFA also has a trade program that encourages the inclusion of Indigenous philosophies as well as cultural expressions in fashion, crafts, and textiles. This program puts a spotlight on Indigenous artists and their businesses. Moreover, the event was hosted and created by Indigenous people, which allows for a network to be created among artists and event-goers.

These looks above are fan favorites from night 2, themed “Fierce + Fearless.” The first look is by Haus of Dumont and features drag queen Chelazon Leroux. He identifies as two-spirit, a term used in the Indigenous community to describe a third gender/gender non-conforming. The dress they wore was inspired by the amethyst crystals of the Robinson Treaty area.

The second look is by Rebecca Baker-Grenier and it was a part of her “We Are Warriors” collection. Honoring ancestral warriors, this look celebrates Indigenous people strengthening their culture and healing from colonial impacts.

The third look is by Hakhu Amazon Design, a brand that collaborates with Indigenous women from the Ecuadorian Amazon to protect heritage as well as Indigenous communities/land. Look four features ​Founding Executive & Artistic Director of IFA, Sage Paul looking beautiful during her speech.

The fifth look is an outstanding piece by Haus of Dumont. Look number six is another piece from Rebecca Baker-Grenier in her “We are Warriors” collection. It is inspired by armor and made from hand-painted leather with copper shield cutouts. The seventh look is a beautiful white ensemble with a floral headpiece by IX BALAM.

Senior Fashion and Style Writer Christian Allaire, curator/activist Mando Perla, and Indigenous Fashion Professor, Riley Kucheran were in attendance of the event.

The eighth look is a stunning floral piece by Haus of Dumont. The final look is by Reecreeations, a brand aimed to empower as well as amplify Indigenous people and their voices. The statement of “give us our land” is the fight against Indigenous erasure and the fight for land rights.

Supporting and creating spaces of representation for Indigenous people is crucial in fashion spaces. Each individual culture within the Indigenous umbrella is so heavily woven into the tapestry of human diversity. Through their unique traditions and practices organizations like the IFA help to preserve this heritage for future generations. Including Indigenous designers in fashion also can introduce more sustainability and mindfulness of the environment, which with the growing global warming issue would be extremely useful.

Be conscious of Indigenous people in fashion and support them in any way you can. Check out the IFA‘s website for more information on their event.