Fashion Student Collaborates with Indigenous Canadian Designer to Inspire Healing
Fashion Arts and Business student Scott Wabano has recently launched THE HAMPTON X WABANO JACKET in collaboration with Indigenous Canadian fashion designer, Lesley Hampton. This collaboration brings together two creatives with the same vision - to decolonize fashion on Turtle Island, through storytelling, education, and awareness.
The Inspiration
The HAMPTON X WABANO JACKET is inspired by healing by combining traditional Indigenous teachings with the modern luxury fashion of today. This represents the struggle many Indigenous youth face when adapting to today's technologically advanced western world while continuing to hold onto the identity, culture, and teachings of their traditional one. The jacket fuses traditional Indigenous teachings, culture, history, and adversities with contemporary fashion.
The use of cones on the jacket were inspired by the Jingle Dress, a traditional garment designed by the Indigenous Peoples’ of Turtle Island. Over the years, the Jingle Dress has evolved in many ways, with different styles, such as contemporary and traditional, from metal cones to shells, continuing to develop traditional designs with an emphasis on innovation. Each dress is unique but stays true to its heritage and the healing energy it is intended to provide.
The Designers
Scott Wabano
2Spirit Cree Scott Wabano, grew up spending his adolescence amongst the isolated indigenous communities along the coast of James Bay. He decided to leave his community to pursue his goals within fashion and create safe spaces for 2Spirit/Indigi-Queer Youth in urban settings.
Today, Scott is a Freelance Fashion Stylist and is currently developing WABANO, his street-wear clothing brand that will focus on gender neutrality, inclusivity, and empowering Young 2-Spirit/Indigi-Queer youth. Scott is also an advocate for young Indigenous youth, serving as an Ambassador of Hope for WE MATTER - an Indigenous youth-led organization, dedicated to Indigenous youth support, hope, and life promotion.
Lesley Hampton
Lesley Hampton's early life was one of constant relocation. Her formative years were spent in Canada’s Arctic and Atlantic, Australia, England, Indonesia, and New Caledonia to establish a personal and cultural identity. Lesley defines herself through
the amalgamation of her indigeneity with her Anishinaabe and Mohawk heritage, as well as her global perspective from an early nomadic upbringing.
Founded on the principles of inclusivity, identity, awareness, and heritage, LESLEY HAMPTON brand’s inspiration is defined by the characteristics developed from being a Third Culture Kid and critiques their application in present-day society in fashion, media, and pop culture. The brand draws inspiration from notations that embody inclusivity and broader perceptions of
beauty that leads to mental health awareness and body-positive advocacy.
The Jacket
Recent Fashion Arts and Business graduate Jacquelyn Assinewe models THE HAMPTON X WABANO JACKET.
Today, during the current global pandemic, Hampton and Wabano invite society to learn, embrace, and obtain a deeper understanding of sacred Indigenous healing practices, through their collaboration.