top of page
Jun 3

At the Indigenous Fashion Arts Festival, Style and Community Came to the Forefront



 

This past weekend, the biennial Indigenous Fashion Arts (IFA) festival lit up Toronto with four days of groundbreaking fashion showcases, spotlighting the innovation and artistry of contemporary Indigenous designers. Since its debut in 2016, IFA has grown into a pivotal platform for Indigenous fashion, and this year marked a major milestone as the festival took over the iconic Eaton Centre mall. The larger venue drew an expanded audience and amplified the impact of the presentations.



“Our move to a bigger venue with larger audiences allowed me to see how Indigenous fashion is poised to be a global leader in the industry,” shared Sage Paul, the executive and artistic director of Indigenous Fashion Arts. “Our fashion—Indigenous fashion—will always be in demand, and we have reclaimed it.”

The 2024 IFA lineup was masterfully curated by Paul, alongside Wanda Nanibush and Melanie Egan, and featured a stunning variety of designers. “Each show was a powerful fashion narrative that showcases the brilliance, beauty, craftsmanship, and range of Indigenous fashion,” says Paul.

The festival highlighted designers representing both traditional regalia and modern streetwear. Standout labels included ReeCreeations, known for creating exquisite ribbon skirts, including custom pieces for Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, and Mobilize, celebrated for its innovative use of upcycled fabrics in contemporary designs. “From customary to contemporary, the mix of designers reflected the broad cultural and individual expression coming from the Native fashion world,” Paul added.


IFA 2024 reinforced the global relevance and artistic leadership of Indigenous fashion, bridging tradition and modernity while celebrating the rich diversity of Indigenous creativity.



 


 





Our fashion—Indigenous fashion—will always be in demand, and we have reclaimed it.”


 


Comments

bottom of page