A prairie passion for fashion

If the phrase, the runways of Saskatoon, doesn't seem to have the same ring as Milan don't worry, it will soon if Native designers have their way

By: Avis Pratt

To most people, the fashion design industry means the glamour and pizzazz of runways of Paris and Milan.

For people from the humdrum province of Saskatchewan however, a dream to follow in the footsteps of Ralph Lauren and Gucci seems unrealistic, unless they are willing to relocate.

Well, the times have changed for this province because it is now home to a unique fashion design college, which has attracted students from across Canada and other parts of the world.

The Manitou Sewing and Design Institute has been open since 1997, and is one of the only (if not the only) fashion design college in Canada totally focused on Aboriginal design.

Both local and distant people learn traditional Aboriginal techniques of garment making and are using that knowledge to succeed in the fast-paced design industry.

Plains Cree have symmetrical beadwork...

Copyright Morning Star Gallery

Training at Manitou is far different from the standard fashion design school in numerous ways.

For one, if you walk into a classroom at Manitou you may find a group of students learning a variety of styles of intricate beadwork from various First Nations across North America.

Did you know that the Plains Cree have symmetrical patterns in their beadwork, whereas the Dene have more of a rounded design in their style of bead-work?

This is just the beginning.

The principal of Manitou Sewing and Design Institute, Heather Brigidear says the curriculum changes with each class of students.

For example, if a class decides that they all want to focus on making star blankets and/or designing their own traditional style of regalia for a semester, that would be integrated into the curriculum.

The uniqueness of the curriculum seems to have attracted students from as far away as the United States and Australia. Brigidear says that through online correspondence Manitou has been getting a great deal of interest from people from all over the world.

...Dene have more of a rounded design.

Copyright Government of the North-West Territories

Graduates have succeeded in many parts of the design industry. Brigidear says the majority of Manitou graduates have built their own businesses.