After designers Victoria Kakuktinniq of Victoria’s Arctic Fashion and Melissa Attagutsiak of Nuvuja9 met in Paris at International Indigenous Fashion Week, held during Paris Fashion Week in early March, the two decided to bring that experience back to Iqaluit.

Designer Victoria Kakuktinniq of Victoria’s Arctic Fashion (VAF) leads the finale walk with models wearing her designs, at the Upingaksaaq Fashion Show she jointly presented with Nuvuja9 designer Melissa Attagutsiak.
Reverie Photography/Mariana Barney

Kakuktinniq is from Rankin Inlet but now lives in Iqaluit, where she runs her shop, while Attagutsiak is from Iqaluit and now lives in Ottawa.

The two presented a fashion show in Iqaluit April 20 – the Upingaksaaq (early spring) Fashion Show – featuring their own designs, fresh off the Paris catwalk.

They also showcased designs from InukChic’s Martha Kyak of Pond Inlet, Sophia’s Outerwear’s Chelsey St. John of Arviat, Kayleigh’s Fashions’ Kristy King and Chantel Kablutsiak, also of Arviat, and the Miqqut Project, a literacy and sewing program offered by Ilitaqsiniq Nunavut Literacy Council.

Aayuraa Studio, ENB Artisan, Kaajuk and LVH Jewellery provided accessories to complement the designs.

Delilah Netser models a Nuvuja9 dress.
Reverie Photography/Mariana Barney
Shawna Kyak models a VAF amauti-style dress – first seen at Paris Fashion Week – in front of a sold-out Iqaluit crowd.
Reverie Photography/Mariana Barney

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