Celebrating creativity with the Indigenous Regalia and Fashion Show – The Varsity

November 19, 2023

Hart House hosted Indigenous creatives to showcase their designs on the runway

It begins, soft at first: the sound of drums echoes from a distant part of the hall. People’s chatter dies down as the beat of the drum picks up, slowly but surely, until the “thump, thump, thump” of the drum becomes the only sound to fill the room, resoundingly ricocheting off the walls. Among many Indigenous peoples, drums symbolize the heartbeat of Mother Earth.

When infants are inside the womb, the mother’s heartbeat is also the first sound they hear — it is through hearing the beat of the drum that we reconnect with our origins.

Hart House hosted the Indigenous Regalia and Fashion Show in their Great Hall on November 3, which celebrated returning to one’s origins, showcasing a selection of works by Indigenous designers. The drums are a fitting start to a night abuzz with excitement and novelty but also with reflection.

The first few models emerged donning regalia: intricate garments worn for major ceremonies and community events that come in an eclectic mix of colours, styles, and materials. The women danced down the runway to the enduring beat of the drums.

As the runway progressed, the pieces began to reflect more of the zeitgeist of the modern era: from sweat sets, denim pairings, and printed jackets to European-style evening gowns and corsets. However, they remained inspired by the upbringing of each designer. For instance, beadwork was a medium that made many appearances in new and inventive ways.

Read More: https://thevarsity.ca/2023/11/19/celebrating-creativity-with-the-indigenous-regalia-and-fashion-show/