Anishinaabe Mohawk designer's gown turns heads at Golden Globes

A gown by an Indigenous designer turned heads amongthe celebrities and correspondents on the red carpet at Sunday's Golden Globes awards in Los Angeles.

The dress worn by CTV'setalkanchorLainey Luihas brought global exposure toAnishinaabe Mohawk designer Lesley Hampton.

"It's been an absolutely incredible experience and the feedback has really been great," saidHampton.

Hampton is based in Toronto and has shown collections at Indigenous Fashion Week Toronto, Vancouver, London Fashion week and the Santa Fe Indian Market.

"It wasincredible to be able torepresent the Indigenous fashion community andhopefully pave the way for other celebrities to shop Indigenous and see what Indigenous artists can do, whether it's more traditional or more modern contemporary work," saidHampton.

"I think our people as a community have so much to offer themainstream fashion and celebrity community."

Hampton is known for her elaborate garments and often usesall Indigenous and two-spirit models during her shows.

After Hampton appeared on CTV's The Social last fall,Lui and her stylist approached Hampton to see what her timeline for designing a gown for the Golden Globes would be.

Hampton saidLui is someone she hasalways wanted to work with.

"It was really great that Lainey gave me a chance," she said.

The floor-length pleated gown with cut outs accented with a cape over the shoulders isan extension of a piece from Hampton's spring/summer 2020 collection titled The Preface.

The title and collection wasinspired by a quotefeatured in the preface of the final report of the national inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women: "We must know our past, understand it and accept it, if the future is to have meaning."

In anticipation of being on the red carpet at herfirst and possiblyonly Golden Globes, Lui saidshe wanted to make the experience memorable and meaningful to look back on.

"I'm a Canadian-Asian woman and I wanted to wear a Indigenous designer'swork," saidLui.

She was familiar with Hampton's designs but never had theopportunity to wear any herself until this year.

"I'm really proud of the moment and of Lesley, and I'm so happy to be part of this conversation with Lesley where her work is being showcased," saidLui.

She said the reaction to the dress was undeniable at the awards, from publicists to staffer and even celebrities.

"My etalk team told me when I came down the stairs to the red carpet for the first time, people stopped to stare because the dress is so spectacular and eye-catching," saidLui.

"For me it was the most exciting because it's Lesley."

It also landed Lui on some best-dressed lists.