Indigenous fashion boutique opens in Saskatoon

As indigenous designs multiply on runways around the world, a group of First Nations women in Saskatoon see a bigopportunity.

DevonFiddler,Tory-Lynn Wanotch,Helen Oro and MaryLou Mintram launchHer 4 Directions today. They'll share the studio, retail space and workshop atThe TwoTwenty, along 20th Street W.

"It was actually something that I saw growing up," said Helen Oro. "My grandma, my kokum, she would make her own mukluks, moccasins, do her own beadwork. Then she'd walk around town with me and sell them to the boutiques and retail stores."

Specializing in beaded purses, high heels and accessories,Orotaught herself how to bead as an adultas she searched for ways to reconnect with her culture.

"I was feeling really lost for awhile in my life," said Oro. "That was my main reason why I got back into it. And then the whole fashion part and all the excitement, that kind of just came along with it."

Mixing traditionwith modern looks

MaryLou Mintramcredits her background in fashion to growing upin Nelson House, Manitoba.

"There was only one store in the entire community and I'm like, 'Mom, Barbie needs more clothes,'" Mintram recalled. "And she's like, 'Well, make your own.'"

Mintramdesignedher first couture line bycutting up her mother's old clothesand doing bead and quill work.

"I fell in love with it instantly," she said, describing her current designs for business womenas a mix of northern Cree sensibilitiesand "more of a modest, conservative look."

"There's an amazing trend that's happening right now, it's very exciting to be an indigenous woman."