GON 2011 Tracy Toulouse

Stylin' Indians! They were everywhere at GON. I definitely didn't get snaps of them all, but here's some! And here is a quick post on one of my favorite fashionistas - Tracy Toulouse!

Hailing from the North shores area in Northern Ontario, Toulouse is a member of the Sagamok Anishnawbek First Nation.

Toulouse shows her work throughout Canada and is known for her modern fashion lines as well as for her creation of elaborate and intricate custom regalia for clients.

She shared a booth with Wabanoonkwe Cameron-Hernandez (the brains and style behind Turquoise Soul - more to come on this), and she brought some fabulous Ojibwe fashion designs to the powwow scene.

I snatched up one of her red jackets and wore it out to the NMS Red Runway event held at the 405 Lounge on Central, where I met up with Tina and Andrea (who both make super fresh earrings (aka, you can expect a future post on these gals)).

Click here to read the Beyond Buckskin Designer Profile on Tracy Toulouse. You can also find her on Akwekon.

Designer Profile | Tracy Toulouse

"Someone helped me see my spirit is in my clothes. When we create, we put our spirit in the outfit - share that spirit with other people - just as in traditional garments. All have spirit, and the art we create is symbolic and we carry the outfits in high regard. There is power in what we wear."
- Tracy Toulouse

Tracy Toulouse is from the North shores area in Northern Ontario, and grew up on the Sagamok Anishnawbek First Nation. She is an Ojibway from the Bear clan.

Toulouse’s inspiration to design clothing came from her grandmother, who is a respected and talented quilt-maker. As a child, she would sit by her grandmother’s side to watch her sew.

Video | Bee the Change Aboriginal Fashion Show 2009

Bee the Change 2009 : Aboriginal Fine Arts and Fashion Show

Check out this video of the Bee the Change fashion show last August, featuring various First Nations designers. The fashion part starts at about 4 and a half minutes in. Enjoy!



Eco-inspired Eco-friendly art and fashion presented by an amazing group of talented and ambitous Designers and Artists. The Bee the Change Aboriginal Fine Arts and Fashion show was hosted by PEACHFEST and the ABORIGINAL CULTURAL VILLAGE on August 9th, 2009. Host Designer: Nadine Spence

Bee the Change Aboriginal Arts is a not-for-profit society founded by aboriginal artists and designers in early 2009, to promote and advance Aboriginal arts and artisans by providing showcasing and developmental opportunities to emerging, established and youth artisans and artists. Bee the Change is committed to promoting and advancing made in Canada authentic Native artisan products and services to international markets. If you would like more information on becoming a member please email beethechange@shaw.ca or via Phone at (250)491-1308

Event | Aboriginal Fashion Showcase at the 2010 Olympics

More history-making!

First Nations fashion designers will be presenting their garments during the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver - February 12th-16th.

The stellar lineup of top Aboriginal Fashion Designers representing from across Canada for the event includes: Dorothy Grant, Pamela Baker, Tammy Beauvais, Louie Gong, Cowichan Knitters, Nadine Spence, Tracey Toulouse, Kim Picard, and Angela DeMontigny (who also helped produce the event).

Aboriginal Fashion Showcase includes the following shows:

PREMIER DESIGNERS SHOWCASE
Angela DeMontigny, Dorothy Grant, Pam Baker
Sat, Feb.13 at 7:15pm

MEDIA RECEPTION
Sat, Feb.13 at 8:30pm - 10:30pm

4 MINI SHOWCASES
Kim Picard, Nadine Spence, Louie Gong, Pam Baker
Sun, Feb.14 at 3pm

4 MINI SHOWCASES
Tammy Beauvais, Tracy Toulouse, Angela DeMontigny, Dorothy Grant
Mon, Feb.15 at 3pm

ANGELA DEMONTIGNY AFTER PARTY
Mon, Feb.15 at 6pm

EMERGING DESIGNERS SHOWCASE
Kim Picard, Tammy Beauvais, Tracy Toulouse, Nadine Spence, Louie Gong, Cowichan Knitters
Tue, Feb.16 at 3pm

All shows will be held at Vancouver Community College (at 250 West Pender Street - at the intersection of Hamilton and Dunsmuir in downtown Vancouver, one block from the 2010 Aboriginal Pavilion). Aboriginal Fashion Showcase (AFS) will set stage at the Aboriginal Artisan Village and Business Showcase.

"The AFS will be a visually stunning production of emerging and established Aboriginal Fashion Designers and will exude glamour and excitement. Experience an electrifying event that audiences will be talking about long after the last model has walked the runway. Be prepared to expect the unexpected; unreserved contemporary fashion designs will amaze all who assume the usual. The AFS will feature three of Canada's top Aboriginal Designers: Pam Baker, Dorothy Grant and Angela DeMontigny, And five of Canada's emerging and most promising Aboriginal fashion designer talent: Kim Picard, Tammy Beauvais, Tracy Toulouse, Nadine Spence, Louie Gong, and Cowichan Knitters."

More information is available at http://www.ikanada.com/register