Niio Perkins Featured in Limited Edition Collection
Project Brings Together Indigenous Designers from Across Canada
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AKWESASNE. Count Niio Perkins of Akwesasne among the top Indigenous artists and designers in Canada. Her beadwork is featured in a newly released limited edition collection that is a collaboration between Indigenous Fashion Week Toronto and Canadian retailer La Maison Simons.
The project beings together eight Indigenous artists and designers from across Canada to embellish a capsule collection of one-of-a-kind garments that showcase their craft, including printed graphics, embroidery, appliqué, natural dye, and beadwork. Designers worked in their local studios and communities, embellishing each garment by hand.
Fans of Niio’s beadwork will instantly recognize her contribution. Her pant features a gold and lime graphic arrow; the boxy top and dresses feature her signature woodland florals.
“This is a breakthrough for Indigenous designers to be recognized for our contributions in mainstream fashion,” said Niio. “I’d like to thank our small team at NPD, Isabella Thompson and Tia Perkins, for their assistance in completing the order.”
This collection marks the importance of supporting local and community-based approaches that break down barriers and create exciting new opportunities for Indigenous designers and consumers.
The collection features a top, pant, and two dresses, all made from organic linen. These blank canvases allowed each designer the artistic freedom to create one-of-a-kind pieces that showcase their craft, rather than requiring the designers to work within the constraints of the fashion industry.
Joining Niio are artists and designers Caroline Monnet, Anishinaabe; Evan Ducharme, Metis; Injunuity Design Studio, Anishinaabe; Jordan Bennett, Mi’kmaq; Tania Larsson, Dene; Tracy Toulouse, Anishinaabe; and Warren Steven Scott, Nlaka’pamux.
The IFWTO x Edito Simons collection launches online May 28, 2020 at simons.ca, and in stores across Canada on June 1. The entire collection can be viewed online at ifwto.com/ifwto-x-simons-collaborative-capsule-collection, or at NiioPerkins.com.
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