by Janet Smellie
Northern News Services

NNSL (Feb 10/97) - A national fashion designer says he's optimistic manufacturing Northern fashions in Fort Simpson could become a reality.

Darcy Moses, a self-taught fashion designer who now produces his own clothing lines out of Montreal and Toronto, was in Fort Simpson last week to help train local designers the art of patterning.

The third in a series of fashion workshops he's offered in the community since last June, Moses hopes this will help designers get everything from moose-hide coats to fur fashions to commercial markets.

"The objective is to try make patterns that will simplify some of the designs. All these ladies' work is beautiful, with a lot of effort going into their moose jackets, but we want to be able to start producing more of a commercial product with varying sizes," he said.

Thanks to the band, Moses adds, the community now sports an industrial-sized Singer sewing machine, making possible a commercial line and "the beginnings of a small factory."

"I see a lot of potential here. The community's fairly well organized and their products are exceptional," Moses says.

"It would be nice for trappers to benefit more from their furs going beyond the auction house."

"It would be nice to see them start manufacturing here, instead of having the resources left in the pocket of southern manufacturers."

Each workshop is a step towards the next one, Moses says, who's own fashions have become hits at major retail stores including Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdales and Neiman Marcus.