Fashion Speaks International Press Release
Fashion Speaks International presents Revolutions: A Red Dress Fashion Festival.
The show seeks to raise awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People.
Kamloops, BC – May 1st, 2024
Fashion Speaks International is thrilled to present Revolutions: A Red Dress Fashion Festival, taking place at the North Side Hangar 3077 Airport Road on May 4th and May 5th, 2024. The runway will showcase the work of eight fashion designers with a special performance by the Cultural Ballet, Dannicka Kequahtooway, the Women of Turtle Island, and more exciting acts. The core of the show lies in raising awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People, honoring Red Dress Day.
In collaboration with the International Fashion Gala and Art Association and IIFW International Indigenous Fashion Week, Revolutions promises a powerful perspective on the Red Dress. The feature designers whose work will paint the runway include Arthur Paul, Bruno Henry, Crystal Lange, David Chen, Elizabeth Spike, Sierra William, Shannon Kilroy, and Valerie Davidson-Oar.
Why a Red Dress?
May 5th is Red Dress Day, a national day that honors the spirits of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People across Canada. Métis artist Jaime Black inspired the red dress movement where red dresses symbolize the grief and loss felt by loved ones and survivors. On her website, Black says, “The dresses are left empty, without mannequins, intentionally. They symbolize the absence and presence of Indigenous Women and Girls affected by violence while creating a platform to further the discussion.”
Event Highlights:
1. Strutting for a cause: FSI’s models will grace the runway in the clothes of eight Indigenous fashion designers who have created their own interpretations of the Red Dress.
2. Dance performance by the Cultural Ballet: Choreographed by Director and Argentine Folklore Champion, Bianca Martinez, the performance will combine traditional dances from the south and the north into a storytelling twirl.
3. Remarkable presentation by the Women of Turtle Island: A female performing arts group created by “Disciplinarian singers, drummers, dancers, knowledge keepers, water protectors and women who follow traditional protocols.”
4. Special Performance by Dannicka Kequahtooway: Former Miss Teen Saskatchewan and Miss Teen Canada Charity, Dannicka Kequahtooway, will perform a contemporary piece dedicated to MMIWG2S.
5. Special Hosts: Maria Derickson of West Bank First Nation Band, who currently holds the provincial crown of Miss World Tourism BC, will be a hostess at the “Revolutions” Red Dress Festival.
6. Local vendors: Find a wide variety of authentic Indigenous Art and products created by local artisans, along with the creations of some of the featured designers.
Revolutions is not only a fashion show, it’s a statement. “This is not just happening in North America, it’s Indigenous women across the world, Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit people are being taken, they’re being murdered, and they’re being sold off into the human trafficking trade faster than any other group,” said Kim Coltman, Founder, and CEO of Fashion Speaks International. “If that’s what’s happening worldwide, then we need to raise our voices louder so that all of the world can hear us and they know that they’re not alone. And we know that we’re not alone.”
Join us this May 4th and 5th as we redefine the role of fashion and remember the spirits of our Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People.
Event Details:
- Date and Time: Saturday May 4th 19:00 – 21:00 & Sunday May 5th 14:00 – 17:00.
- Location: North Side Hangar 3077 Airport Road Kamloops, BC
- Tickets: Available for purchase at Kamloops Live! Box Office 1025 Lorne St or online at: https://bit.ly/KLBO_Revolutions
- VIP guests will have a meet & greet with the fashion designers and models and will have photo opportunities with both.
- General admission: $35 + taxes and fees
- VIP admission: $55 + taxes and fees
- 2-Day Passes are available.
Founded in October of 2015, Fashion Speaks International is a modeling agency in Kamloops, BC whose primary focus is to raise awareness about Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People, MMIWG2S. FSI provides training opportunities for Indigenous youth who are interested in breaking into the fashion industry through the teachings of the Seven Elders, which have the purpose of helping people find their own identity and build their own self-esteem, self-awareness, and environmental awareness.
For media inquiries, interviews, or additional information, please contact FSI founder and CEO Kim Coltman at fsimodels@gmail.com.