Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week 2024 Celebrates the Fire of Art and Design

Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week (VIFW) returns November 20-23, 2024 (Queen Elizabeth Theatre) to showcase not only Indigenous art and design, but also cultural revival, resilience, and pride.

Founded in 2017 by Joleen Mitton, VIFW is an inspiring and multifaceted event that spotlights talented fashion designers and artisans across Turtle Island (North America) and empowers up-and-coming young creatives, while also bringing communities—Indigenous and non-Indigenous—together in shared celebration. Everyone who loves fashion, art, and culture is invited to attend.

This year’s theme is Fire, representing the strength of Indigenous peoples and the passion, inventiveness, and vitality of Indigenous fashion designers in the past, present, and very bright future.

A key part of the programming for VIFW are the runway shows that feature diverse designs, with regalia and creations that evidence an honouring of tradition, ancestors, and land while at the same time integrating other influences such as pop culture and contemporary design elements. Ethical and sustainable design are also a huge component of VIFW’s ethos.

Opening night (November 20, 7-10pm, doors at 6pm) involves a Red Dress Event, with attendees invited to wear red to honour murdered and missing Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQ+ individuals. The night is about remembering these losses and the strength of these individuals, as well as uplifting the continued resilience, resourcefulness, and vibrancy of Indigenous communities. Look forward to an Opening Night Designer Showcase, featuring artists such as Yolonda Skelton (Gitxsan), who combines old and new, and Ocean Kiana (Nishnaabe), whose designs use florals and bright colours.

Night two (November 21, 7-10pm, doors at 6pm)—All My Relations—will be an incredible highlighting of well-known Indigenous designers, plus emerging ones. Expect both traditional and contemporary design to appear on the runway. Designers include Tracy Toulouse (Anishinaabe), who uses design elements like leather, beadwork, and birchbark, and Kaylyn Baker (Northern Tutchone/Tlingit), who engages in “beaded storytelling.”

The momentum continues on night 3 (November 22, 7-10pm, doors at 6pm) with Indigenous Futures, which explores the future-oriented nature of Indigenous design. This dynamic futurism encompasses pop culture, streetwear, community activism, and plenty of joy. Designers range from Alicia S of Alicia’s Designs (Nuu-Chah-Nulth/Kwakwaka’wakw), who creates unique hand-painted items such as boots, to Angel Aubichon (Cree-Metis) of Indi City, who specializes in laser-cut accessories.

And finally, night 4 (November 23, 7-10pm, doors at 6pm) is themed Spirit of the West, with a focus on the West Coast with designers like Ay Lelum (Snuneymuxw), who uses family designs and eco-friendly fabrics, and Debra and Aleen Sparrow (Musqueam), a mother and daughter team who are master weavers.

In addition to the runaway shows, the popular VIFW Artisan Market is back, with up to 50 vendors set up in the lobby of the Queen Elizabeth Theatre each night. Browse and take home one-of-a-kind jewelry, other accessories, beauty products, and clothing.

Overall, VIFW will be an exciting and wide-ranging coming together of Indigenous designers and artisans, illustrating how their futures are diverse, beautiful, and innovative. For full event details, see the main Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week page to plan which runway shows, cultural showcases, and market experiences you want to attend this year.

Further information and tickets (on a sliding scale from $30 to $75) for each of the nights are available online.