Indigenous Designer's Beadwork Stuns Vancouver Runway, Steals Show from Fashion Icon!

Hold onto your hats, fashion aficionados! The sizzling scoop from Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week is here, and you won't believe what went down! In a jaw-dropping turn of events, the uber-talented Dixie Jenny Thompson saw her stunning handiwork snatched up by none other than revered designer Lindsay King—and worn by model Chanel Gomez right on the runway!

Thompson, a self-taught beadwork sensation hailing from Fort McPherson, brought her A-game to the fashion extravaganza, capturing everyone’s attention with her breathtaking pieces. Among the 58 eye-popping designs she showcased, it was the drop-dead gorgeous earrings that caught Lindsay King's eye, sending the crowd into a frenzy!

“They paid me more than I was selling them for,” she exclaimed, still reeling from the surprise of a lifetime. Talk about a fashion fairytale come true!

But wait, there's more! Thompson didn't just stop at selling to industry titans; she practically sold out her entire collection, crafted from exquisite materials like moose hide and caribou antler. Yep, you read that right—she sold "basically" everything she brought to the festival.

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The eco-friendly beadworker didn’t just ace the sales game; she also soaked up the rich culture and camaraderie. Thompson mingled with a plethora of creatives, rediscovering the vibrant community of Indigenous artistry. “Seeing Indigenous people thrive and be themselves in a safe space was just heartwarming,” she gushed.

And can you believe she only started experimenting with this craft back in 2018? With humble beginnings learning from an Elder, Thompson’s journey is truly inspiring!

Eager for more thrilling ventures, she’s dreaming big—planning to expand her horizons with NWT Arts to potentially include other regions’ markets. Her enthusiasm to return to the scene of her triumph next year is palpable: “I would love to go back next year,” she told us with a sparkle in her eye.

Stay tuned, because this rising star is definitely one to watch!