A Voice from the Eastern Door
By Kaniehtonkie
In a stunning display of color and craftsmanship the "Fashion After Dark" (FAD) show started promptly at 8pm at the Port Theater in Cornwall on Saturday evening. The show featured eleven outstanding original Native fashion designers, six from Akwesasne. The FAD show featured more well-known designers, as well those just starting out. And in a remarkable show of 'inclusiveness' the show featured models of all sizes and heights – embracing the beauty of all women.
Designs included contemporary native fashions: long formal wear, casual wear and sportswear with more traditional clothing designs weaving seamlessly with brightly colored ribbons and intricate beadwork; models taking to the runway in a proud display of our cultural heritage.
The outfits alone were breathtaking and add to that: CKON's Reen Cook and Native Max Magazine's Kelly Holmes, as they kept up the banter to bring laughter and smiles to the sold-out Port Theater.
The Port Theater owner, Larry Sylvain stated, "This is very big for us – to have the fashion show here. We are so excited to be part of such a big and successful event."
Tisha Thompson and her daughter Babes were the driving force behind the entire show. All makeup worn by every model was from Babes Cosmetics – a makeup company owned and operated by the dynamic mother-daughter duo.
Tisha Thompson shared this with Indian Time, "This show was designed to inspire and empower our people. We have talented people in our community. Designers, makeup artists, hairdressers, models. It was their night to shine. I hope everyone enjoyed the show on behalf of our planning committee, Niawen:kowa."
For the lively and yet, orderly manner of "Fashion After Dark", Niio Perkins, Niio Perkins Designs, offered another angle to the show, "Backstage, fashion shows are seen from a different perspective, it's madness! You would see organizers, volunteers and designers ripping their hairs out! And models sit and wait patiently for up to 10 hours for show time. In the end it's all worth it." She added, "I'm in the first year of releasing my clothing line and I cannot be more proud. It's because of all of you. Celebrating traditions and culture used to be a confusing place, it's where I found strength. While some struggle with self-identity, we (designers/creators) try to help build a connection. I think anyone attending the show felt it. It's pride, in our people, in ourselves and in our culture. Niawen:kowa to all who helped make it happen."
Marlana Thompson, having returned home from living away for a while, shared her thoughts on FAD, "I moved home from BC over a year now and I'm still building my business back up. I was lucky enough to be asked to showcase my work in the Fashion After Dark show. I was so excited because this was my first big fashion show since moving home. I was determined to make all new designs for my segment for both men and women and Tisha gave me a handfull of amazing models in all shapes and sizes - real Mohawk bodies. From there I started designing for each model. In the end I picked up a couple more models that wanted to walk the runway and with a total of 10 looks - showcasing traditional wear that a lot of the graduating students like to dress in and show off their pride in their culture accepting their diploma, and other looks ranging from everyday clothing, traditional dress for the Longhouse and lastly - dressing up for a night on the town. Many of my models were first timers and they rocked it. In all, it was an amazing night and to see so many Onkwehonwe people coming together to celebrate our own designers and our own fashion, to see us all flood the street coming out of the Port Theater - it was so uplifting!"
The Fashion After Dark show designers included:
Terry Cree, Akwesasne. Models were Hayley Cree, Karley Cree, Lauren Cree, Nolie Thompson, Sienna Chubb and Karyss Terrance, with hair by Lauren Cree and makeup by Starlyn Oakes.
Sewing by Wabi, Akwesasne. Models were Amalli Nalli, Honey Mitchell, Tina Thompson, Cheyenne Lazore, Morgan Jock, Krista Loran, Annabelle Mitchell, and Shannon Whiteduck with hair and makeup by Abbi Powless.
Kelly Marshall Designs, Akwesasne. Models were Jillian Tarbell, Tawny Martin, Billie King, Quota Rourke-Square, Kania Swamp, Alyssa Webster, Steven Thompson-Oakes and Eric Mitchell, with hair by Cayla Hinkley and makeup by Krysha Angus.
She Holds the Sky Designs, Kahnawake. Models included Talia Cook, Chatnie Herne, Libbie Tarbell, Krysten Thompson, Stacy Andrews, Kearin Adams, Annabelle Mitchell, Chloe Doctor, Kiannah Thomas, and Shannon Whiteduck with hair by Stacy Andrews, The Loft, and makeup by Chatnie Herne.
Shyanne Brant, Tyendinaga/Akwesasne. Models were Wathahonni Mitchell, Tina Thompson, Ivy Ashkewe, Lacy Maracle, and Sadie Maracle, with hair by Cecilia Leroux, makeup by Tanisha Thompson, and jewelry by Tracey Leaf.
Okwaho Creations, Akwesasne. Models included Ryan King, Hunter Cook, Talon Jacobs, Briana Cook, Adam White, Jolie Gibson, Chloe Doctor, Jake Thompson, Zoe Tatlock and Tyler Delormier with hair by Mark Andre Levac and makeup by Arlene Lafrance.
Emma Shenandoah, Akwesasne. Models were Kania Swamp, Jaida Square, Tina Thompson, Makusa, Destiny Gabriel, Jacy Boots Francis and Logan Booth with make up and hair by Jacy Boots Francis.
Mitchell Designs, Akwesasne. Models were Daisy Lahache, Briana Cook, Zoe Tatlock, Julissa Perez, Ronni Sunday, Ryan King, Eric Mitchell, and Autumn Rourke with hair by Aonwentsiio Sunday and makeup by Caiya Sunday.
Niio Perkins Designs, Akwesasne. Models included Jenna Thompson, Karley Cree, Hayley Cree, Brooke Rice and Ivy Ashkewe with hair by Lauren Cree, makeup by Starlyn Oakes and jewelry by Margaret Jacobs.
Red Berry Woman, MHA Nation. Models were Summer Tiger Beach, Jaida Square, Savannah Stacey-Francis, Babes Thompson, Daisy Lahache, Kendall Horn, Steevi King, Cheyenne Lazore and Danielle Bowles with hair by Tisha Thompson and Steph Ransom and makeup by Danielle Bowles and Vanna White.
Charming Monarch, Akwesasne. Models included Marina Labff, Racheal Ghostlaw, Julissa Perez, Bruna Santos, Callian, and Aubrey Adams with hair by Brenda Thompson and makeup by Tanisha Thompson.
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