The fashion designer, who grew up on the shores of northern Ontario’s James Bay, is headed to New York Fashion Week in the New Year.
For Scott Wabano, New York Fashion Week has always seemed like a dream from the far-off Moose Factory community.
“I always dreamed of doing New York Fashion Week and I didn’t know how to start that, or how to get my name out there,” Wabano said.
“So it’s kind of crazy, kind of selfless, that they already know my name.”
It has been a part of native fashion and a part of native life for a long time.– Scott Wabano
Wabano has made a name for themselves in the fashion industry with the Wabano brand of genderless streetwear focused on empowering the indigo-kier and bi-spirited.
Indigenous representation in the fashion industry is important to Wabano.
“For a long time, you know, the fashion industry has had a very harmful and very colonial view of everything: the human form, how durable clothes are,” he said.
“And you know, for a long time sustainability has been a part of indigenous fashion and a part of indigenous life.”
That focus on representation and sustainability means Wabano has worked with indigenous models of all shapes, skin tones and sizes.
“There’s such a damaging narrative right now and it really contributes to pan-indigenism. But the truth is, we’re all different shapes and sizes and colors and different hair textures and different body types.”
When it comes to sustainability, they prioritize the use of recycled materials. Some of their bomber jackets, for example, are made from recycled polyester.
While getting an invitation to New York Fashion Week was a big step, it took a community effort to help Wabano get the rest of it there.
“Sure, I guess everything is covered for you. But I guess it’s not,” he said.
Running a fashion show includes expenses such as paying the models, make-up artists and photographers and covering the cost of the venue.
Wabano, however, secured some funding and was able to gain support from sponsors and the community to hold a fashion show in New York.
Their New York Fashion Week show takes place in February.
