Creator of Kamloops fashion show highlights thriving Indigenous culture

KAMLOOPS — The creator behind Kamloops’ first Indigenous fashion show plans to showcase both traditional and current fashion trends.

Shay Paul, 19, is working to celebrate Indigenous identity and culture through the event Indigenous Resurgence Fashion Show.

“We are focusing on celebrating Indigenous culture and history by creating platforms where Indigenous artists have a space where they can share their work and share their stories,” Paul says.

The show will feature work from multiple Indigenous designers from across B.C.

“I have this one designer who is very traditional and she creates handmade regalia,” she says. “The other designer is coming all the way up from Burnaby… and she takes current fashion trends and puts her own Salish art design on them.”

Paul says the goal of the fashion show is to celebrate Indigenous culture. She wants to stay away from themes that involve the history of reconciliation between Indigenous people and Canada, something she has done in the past while hosting events.

“It was kind of a dark theme, so I wanted to  focus on something that everyone is familiar with,” she says. “We all know the bad stuff but let's focus on how these people have come through all of this and we are still celebrating Indigenous identity.”

Paul, who is from Tk’emlups te Secwepemec, says she wants people to focus on how First Nations cultures are thriving again.

“That’s a big thing for me,” she says. “I want to help these artists through a more positive way."

The fashion show will take place on Aug. 9 in the sanctuary of the Kamloops United Church at 421 St. Paul St.

For more information or tickets go here.

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