'Indigenous fashion is blowing up and it's overwhelming that I'm a part of it,' says designer heading to Paris

Alyssia Sutherland, owner and designer of Ally’s Ribbons, will see a collection of her designs on the runway at Paris Fashion Week later this month.

Alyssia Sutherland's designs will be on the runway at Paris Fashion Week later this month

Alana Cole · CBC News · Posted: Sep 04, 2024 6:00 AM EDT | Last Updated: September 4

Woman with long, brown hair sits on a red couch. She's wearing a black top and a red, back, blue, white and pink ribbon skirt. — Alyssia Sutherland, owner and designer of Ally's Ribbons, will showcase a collection of designs at Paris Fashion Week later this month. (Prabhjot Lotey/CBC)

A Manitoba designer is getting ready to see a collection of her designs on a Paris runway.

Alyssia Sutherland, owner and designer of Ally's Ribbons, is heading to the city known as one of the world's fashion capitals later this month for Paris Fashion Week.

"It's hopefully going to make a really big impression," said Sutherland, who is originally from Peguis First Nation but now lives in Winnipeg.

This is the latest opportunity for Sutherland to show her work internationally. Last year, her pieces were featured in Cannes and New York. Before heading to Paris, she'll be in San Diego for a fashion show there.

"It's a very overwhelming feeling because having the opportunity to go, I never thought I would even get to these global stages," Sutherland said.

"I really truly believe that my ancestors and my grandmothers, my grandfathers and all my relatives on the other side, the spiritual side … they're moving mountains and paving that road for us, and it's just so crazy that that road is clear and we're on it and we're running and we're taking over, and it's really emotional. I don't know how to describe it, because Indigenous fashion is blowing up, and it's overwhelming that I'm a part of it."

WATCH | Manitoba designer talks Paris Fashion Week:

Designer of Ally’s Ribbons set for Paris Fashion Week

3 months ago

3:13

Alyssia Sutherland will see a collection of her designs hit the runway at Paris Fashion Week. She says her designs include different colours, textures and intense ribbon work. (Photo: Kevin Settee)

Sutherland didn't give too much away about the collection she'll be showing in Paris, but said it includes gowns and some men's pieces. She describes her designs as featuring intense ribbon work, with a lot of colour and texture.

She started sewing in 2018 and officially started her design company in January 2020, she said.

"When I was laying down my first ribbon and doing all this stuff with my first skirt, it was like a fire lit within me," she said.

Sutherland explained the meaning behind ribbon work for her, while also acknowledging it can symbolize different things for others.

"Empowerment, sense of identity, strong, bold — it means all the good things in life. That's what a ribbon work is."

When she heads to Paris, she's not going alone.

Two women stand beside each other. The woman on the left has long brown hair and a black top. The other woman has long brown hair and is wearing a black blazer. — Designer Alyssia Sutherland, left, and model Ocean Bruyere have been friends for more than a decade. The two are heading to Paris Fashion Week later this month. (Prabhjot Lotey/CBC)

Sutherland wanted an all Indigenous showcase and asked four models from Winnipeg to make the trip, including longtime friend Ocean Bruyere.

The two have known each other for over a decade. Bruyere also travelled to New York with Sutherland last year.

"It kind of feels like it's not real until you get there," Bruyere said. "And I also felt this way with New York. When we went to New York, I just couldn't believe we were actually going, and even when we were there, I still couldn't believe I was there."

Bruyere got emotional when asked what it means to her to model for and represent an Indigenous designer — in this case, one who also happens to be a best friend.

"It's a privilege to watch her be who she is today and to come from a place that she has and just to be a powerhouse and not just a powerhouse but, like, a lighthouse," Bruyere said.

"Her light is so bright that it reaches, like, thousands of miles away for others to see."

Woman stands for photo wearing clear glasses and black tank top. — Model Madison Moore will be in Paris later this month to model for Ally's Ribbons. (Travis Golby/CBC)

Aaliyah Tait and Madison Moore are two of the other models heading to Paris.

"It's super exciting," Moore said.

Sutherland asked Moore if she wanted to be part of the show in Paris while at a fitting for the Manito Ahbee fashion show earlier this year.

"I wanted to cry. I wanted to believe that it wasn't real," Moore said.

Moore said it feels like a once in a lifetime opportunity, and she hopes it encourages other young people to follow their dreams.

Tait will model for both Sutherland and another designer from Canada in Paris, she said.

"I'm just very excited to be able to get this opportunity," she said. "The little inner child in me is so happy and excited for me to get to do this."

Woman with long black hair, wearing a black top and black skirt, stands outside with flowers and plants behind her. — Aaliyah Tait has been preparing to head to Paris Fashion Week. (Justin Fraser/CBC)

Sutherland said it's important to help bring opportunities to others.

She's always thankful to those who take part in her fashion shows and events.

"The little platform that I have, we're all on it, even if we're all standing on it with one toe," Sutherland said. "I'm not trying to rise alone, you know. I'm trying to rise with my community."

The fashion show will be Sept. 27, said Sutherland, who is also showcasing designs at a private event while in Paris.