“Indigenous people are going to lead the way in the future,” says designer Scott Wabano
Scott Wabano is a two-spirit Indigenous fashion designer who grew up on a small northern Ontario reservation. This month, he made his debut at New York Fashion Week (NYFW), which is one of the most important fashion shows in the world.
Wabano, who is Mushkegowuk from Moose Factory on the west coast of James Bay and has Eeyou-Eenou family roots from the Quebec Cree Nation of Waskaganish, wants to challenge colonial binaries like gender terms that were made by early settlers.
Wabano, who uses they/them pronouns, hopes to do this with genderless, sustainable streetwear with an Indigenous influence.
“The Indigenous people will be in charge of the future.” It will be led by two spirits as well. “I feel very lucky to be able to show that off on the runway,” the designer said.
Wabano’s mission is to make Indigenous representation a fashion statement, using black-and-white designs that include the line’s logo, a stylized teepee, all over the fabrics.
“Because of colonization, we Indigenous people are already living in a post-apocalyptic world.” “I just find it so inspiring that so many of our people have the strength and resilience to rise from the ashes of genocide,” said Wabano.
Most of the models in the show were indigenous. Among them were Grand Chief Mandy Gull-Masty, Indigenous activist Michelle Chubb, a swampy Cree from Bunibonibee Cree Nation, and actress and model Braydee Cardinal.
Chubb said, “We live in a world where our people are already put down, so we have to lift each other up and be there for each other because we are pioneers.”
Gull-Masty, who was the first woman to be elected grand chief of Eeyou Istchee, which is the traditional name for the Cree territory in Quebec, said she was happy to be an honorary model.
“I’m really proud to see a Cree youth break a rule by going to a place where Eeyou people have never been before,” said Gull-Masty.
Cardinal told her TikTok followers about what she did on the runway.
“It was special because I was with so many inspiring Indigenous youth. It was a moment when I thought, “Wow, Indigenous people are the strongest, most powerful, and most determined people I’ve ever met,” said Cardinal.
Wabano put out a call for models for the Feb. 10 show on Facebook, and more than 200 people answered. The show was put on by Runway 7 Fashion.
Wabano said that the response led to a cast with a lot of two-spirit models, which hasn’t been seen much in the fashion world.
“I really try to make safe places every time I walk through a door.” Every space has two different spirits. “Every place I go is holy because I’m going there, but so are the places other two-spirit people go,” said Wabano.
The Wabano logo is a stylized teepee, which represents the nomadic past of their people.
“I think of a teepee every time I think of home. For a long time, it was hard for me to find a place to call home. I didn’t feel at ease with myself. […] That’s kind of what the logo shows. “You bring home with you everywhere,” said Wabano.
Wabano is just getting started on her own journey to decolonize gender binaries through advocacy and fashion.
After showing at New York Fashion Week, they have been asked to show at London Fashion Week in September.
“It can be hard to live on the reservation. I’ve seen it. Living so far away from big cities like New York City or Toronto makes you feel very alone “said Wabano.
Wabano said, “Sometimes our dreams and goals feel like nothing more than dreams and goals, but we can make them come true.” “You have such a long family history of being strong, loving, and part of a group. It’s important to take advantage of that.
WATCH: Scott Wabano and other Native American models take over a NYFW runway.