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RANKIN INLET
Youth fashion was a big hit on the runway during the Kivalliq Trade Show in Rankin Inlet earlier this month.

Reanna Sateana is dressed for stylish Northern life in an amauti designed by Nazie Darehshoripour during a youth fashion show in Rankin Inlet earlier this month. - photo courtesy of Doug McLarty

Arts and traditional economy advisor Theresie Tungalik supervised the artsandcrafts sales and display, entertainment and fashion show components of the trade show.

Tungalik said Pallulaaq Friesen was hired to work with the fashion show models, while Economic Development and Transportation's Kandace Kusugak, Denise Kusugak and Victoria Kakuktinniq all put in a great effort to ensure everything ran smoothly.

She said the program leaders, performers and models were under the age of 30, as were the designers (18 to 30) for the fashion show.

"I had a high level of expectation going into the fashion show and the youth delivered," said Tungalik.

"It was lot of responsibility for a group of youth under 30 and they worked very well together under pressure.

"Most of the designers were working mothers of two or three children, and they put 110 per cent into producing quality items for the show.

"Their commitment to finishing the products in plenty of time was a big reason for the show's success."

The show featured the creations of Kivalliq designers Angela Bruce, Louisa Kringuk and Lori Anne Tulugak of Repulse Bay, Faith Kakuktinniq, Nazie Darehshoripour, Myra Netser and Amy Kaludjak of Rankin Inlet, Doriana Sammurtok of Chesterfield Inlet, Rayla Amitnak of Whale Cove, Amanda Ningeocheak of Coral Harbour and Sasha Hickes of Baker Lake.

Tungalik said when planning the show, organizers looked for young designers who had taken part in Somebody's Daughter or other programs in which they learned proper traditional skills such as sewing and caring for skins.

She said most of the designers who made the final lineup had been sewing for more than 10 years.

"If we'd had more time for sales during the event, a lot of the products would have sold.

"But, what we wanted to show with this event was that young people can come up with exciting new designs.

"On that point the show was very successful because a number of them did measure up to that standard."

Tungalik said some ensembles had traditional elements such as caribou or sealskin kamiik and mitts, but many others featured modern material.

She said many of the designers showed the ability to design warm clothing that was very fashionable at the same time.

"We wanted to see new concepts designed by young people and I was pretty happy with what we saw.

"A number of people were quite surprised we had a full show on the runway using youth designers.

"Although they delivered quite well, the designers would like more time to prepare before the next one."

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