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Calgary Herald

Indigenous fashion takes centre stage at Southcentre Mall

Article content With National Indigenous History Month underway, a local organization dedicated to celebrating Indigenous creativity, arts and culture has brought a culturally themed fashion exhibit to Calgary's Southcentre Mall. Article content Authentically Indigenous launched its fashion-forward exhibit at the mall Tuesday, featuring outfits created by 10 Indigenous designers from across Canada. Article content Article content Article content The outfits will be on display in the mall's centre court until June 22 — the day after National Indigenous Peoples Day — when the exhibit culminates with a fashion show titled Rez in the City 2.0. The fashion show, which opens at 8 p.m., will see models strut the catwalk while donning the creator's designs. Article content Melrene Saloy-Eaglespeaker, co-founder of Authentically Indigenous, is one of the 10 fashion designers whose work will be on display at the mall this month. The Calgary-based Kainai Nation member's company, Native Diva Creations, combines intricate beadwork with contemporary flair. Article content Article content Another local designer whose work will be featured is Destiny Weasel Fat, who is also a Kainai Nation member. Her pieces aim to empower Indigenous people to reclaim their identity and boost their confidence and cultural pride. Article content Article content Saloy-Eaglespeaker said she took up fashion design five years ago, after previously working in jewelry design, and hasn't looked back. Article content 'I didn't feel that my story was being fully told just by showcasing jewelry,' she said. 'I wanted to really give that full element of who I am, where I come from and the elements that make up who I am. Making an entire garment, head to toe, is (a way) for me to do that.' Article content That sentiment is echoed by the outfits on display at Southcentre Mall, which incorporate fabric, beadwork, and silhouette, with pieces that Saloy-Eaglespeaker said honour traditional Indigenous dress while still embracing modern design. Article content As an example, she cited one designer's conversion of a traditional ribbon skirt into an Indigenized pant suit.