News

Meet Proudly Indigenous Sealskin Artists at Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week

20
Oct

 

We are excited to announce that Proudly Indigenous Crafts & Designs (PIC&D) will participate in the Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week (VIFW), which takes place at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Vancouver, November 20 to 23, 2023.  Five PIC&D sealskin artists will be participating in the marketplace, and three of the designers will be showing on the runway.

 

PIC&D is a brand that celebrates and showcases Canadian Indigenous fashion designers and artists that create authentic, high quality, hand-crafted seal fur and leather products, such as accessories, footwear, clothing, and home décor.

 

VIFW stands as an extraordinary celebration of Indigenous creativity and culture showcasing collections from Indigenous fashion designers and models from across the country. VIFW will feature a marketplace where visitors will be able to purchase Indigenous made products directly from the artists.  Several fashion shows will take place through the week with various runway styles including Local Nations, Indigenous Futurism/Street Wear, Couture/High Fashion and Ready-To-Wear. For more information on the VIFW, please visit: Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week (vifw.ca)

 

  1. Why is the event important to PIC&D artists?

This prestigious event is an opportunity for PIC&D artists to show and sell their unique sealskin creations direct to customers, providing economic benefit for those living in remote northern communities who rely on traditional economies such as these. It is also an opportunity for designers to network with industry representatives and celebrate their beautiful creations on the runway.

 

VIFW provides the opportunity for artists to showcase their Indigenous inspired fashion on the runway and share the story of their artwork directly with customers at the marketplace. Artists can bring factual information to the conversation about the traditional seal harvest, the importance of respect and whole use of the animal, and the strong connection Indigenous cultures have with seal.

 

Participating in VIFW also provides a chance to promote the PIC&D brand as well as educate about the numerous benefits of Indigenous made seal products.

 

  1. Why seal fur?

Seal fur, traditionally used to protect northern and coastal communities from the elements, is a sustainable solution for function and fashion, and a reminder of the sustainable lifestyle using natural fabric considered timeless and beautiful among Indigenous artists and designers. Seal fur products are lightweight, warm, durable, versatile, biodegradable, and resistant to wind and water.

 

  1. Which artists will be present?

Five PIC&D artists will be in attendance at VIFW including Taalrumiq , Cheryl Fennell, April Allen, Bambi Amos and Andrea Fowler.

 

Below is a list of PIC&D artists star products that will be available at marketplace of Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week. 

Artist

 Brand Product Link Artist TAG

April Allen

Stitched by April

 Emerald Garden Sealskin Necklace Link Facebook, Instagram, TikTok: @stitchedbyapril

Cheryl Fennell

 Snowfly Purple Sealskin Travel Bag Link Instagram: @fennellcheryl
Bambi Amos Bambi’s Traditional Arts Sealskin Boxer Style Mittens Link

Facebook, Instagram, TikTok: @bambi_traditional_arts
Taalrumiq (Christina King) Taalrumiq Sealskin Spring Thaw Link

Facebook, Instagram, TikTok: @Taalrumiq

Andrea Fowler

 DeneLuv Red Sealskin Mitts Link

 

  1. Schedule:

 

VIFW Marketplace Hours*:

Monday November 20st from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM

Tuesday November 21st from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM

Wednesday November 22nd from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM

Thursday November 23rd from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM

 

Admission: $20 ~ $75 (Buy tickets)

 

Fashion Show Times*:

Taalrumiq and April Allen will be showcased in the fashion show held on Monday, November 20 while Cheryl Fennell will showcase her sealskin fashions on Tuesday, November 21.

 

Admission: $20 ~ $75 (Buy tickets)

 

*The schedule is subject to change.

 

For more information, please see below two Press Releases issued in February with more information on the Proudly Indigenous Crafts & Designs brand and additional information on some of the featured artists:

 

About Seals & Sealing Network / Proudly Indigenous Crafts & Designs

The Fur Institute of Canada (FIC) is the national voice for the fur sector, including the seal industry, through the Seals & Sealing Network (SSN). SSN brings together Canada’s sealing industry harvesters, processors, manufacturers, retailers, and Indigenous peoples of Canada to promote and market high quality and sustainable Canadian Seal Products (seal oil, seal meat, seal fur) through the Canadian Seal Products brand and authentic Indigenous seal fur products through the Proudly Indigenous Crafts & Designs brand.

 

For media relations, product direction of use & expert interviews requests:

 

Outcrop Contact :

Nichelle Roberts
Marketing Manager
Nichelle@outcrop.com