New Brunswick designer selected for first-ever national Indigenous Fashion week

ANew Brunswick fashion designer has been selected to showcase herclothingcreations during an upcomingnational event.

Ingrid Brooks of Indian Island First Nation istravellingto Toronto this week for the firsteverIndigenousFashion Week.

"Oh my god, it's been a little bit overwhelming," said Brooks."But I'm doing it. I'm pulling it off."

Brooks, along with two New Brunswick models, start their road trip to the runways on Tuesday.

Handmade outfits

Brooks will showcase seven custom outfits, all of which she says werecreated in the tradition of New Brunswick First Nations people.

Each dress, cloak andheadpiecearehandmade by Brooks using traditionalandcontemporarytechniques taught to her by familymembers.

N.B. fashion designer attending Indigenous Fashion Week Toronto

6 years ago

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Ingrid Brooks is representing Atlantic Canada at the inaugural event, and dining with the lieutenant-governor of Ontario.Shesays she expects theexperienceto beprofessionally valuable, but alsodeeplypersonal.

"I look forward to meeting other designers and seeing how they do things out there," said Brooks. "Andbringingmy work out and sharing my culture and theMi'kmaqdesigns and our stories behind each piece."

From forestry to fashion

For the last two decades Brooks has been creating custom clothing in her home, afar cryfrom her former career in the woods as a professional chainsaw operator.

"I worked in forestry for a few years," said Brooks. "AndI retired from that and I went into the fashion business."

Brooks builds each piece in her home on the Indian Island First Nation. Her cutting tables, sewing machines, and racks of clothing featureprominentlyin herliving roomand kitchen.

"Each outfit takes me about a good week," said Brooks. "Forty hoursto puttogetherone outfit."

After taking a bit of a break from fashion, the decision to create clothing again was almost immediately rewarded.

"I've been working, and I just decided to jump back into the fashion world, and right away I was invited to Toronto, so I think I know where I have to be in life."