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Anishinaabe designer Little Feather Migwans ended her journey last Friday on Project Runway Canada but she’s leaving the show with pride and a sense of awe.
“You’re surrounded by so many gifted people,” said Migwans.
“They’re like the chosen ones — they were picked out of all of Canada to be on the show and you’re one of them!”
Migwans, also known as Tashina Migwans Odjig, is a Toronto-based designer from M’chigeeng First Nation and Wiikwemikong Unceded Territory on Manitoulin Island.
The rebooted Canadian adaptation of the popular fashion competition show, where designers compete for $100,000 and a feature in Elle Canada magazine, premiered mid-November on Crave.
Judges include Canadian supermodel Coco Rocha, fashion journalist Jeanne Beker and fashion designer Spencer Badu.
Migwans was eliminated in a transformation challenge where designers were tasked with creating a garment with a dramatic reveal.
Her design came down the runway as a cape, which the model removed and converted into a skirt. Though the cape impressed, judges felt the transformation lacked impact, ultimately sending her home.
Still Migwans was touched by words from Beker as her cape went down the runway, as she remarked “I’d wear that.”
Inspired by Anishinaabe culture
Migwans began sewing about 10 years ago and went professional as a fashion designer about five years ago under her label Little Feather Couture, where she designs pieces inspired by her Anishinaabe culture.
She credits two residencies in Indigenous fashion at the Banff Centre with shaping her vision for how her brand evolved and grew to the point it’s at today.
“My whole design genre and aspect changed from activewear to corsets and jackets with silhouettes from the Edwardian era,” said Migwans.
“I like to go for power pieces … when you put something on and it just gives you that confidence.”
Her signature pieces now include jacket dresses, corsets and more recently, experiments in menswear jackets.
Migwans was one of two Indigenous contestants on this season of the show. Taalrumiq, an Inuvialuk designer who was eliminated earlier in the season, also attended the Banff Centre residency.
“I feel like we really needed each other because it’s such a big thing to represent Indigenous people,” said Migwans.
With the competition behind her, Migwans plans to continue building her brand but is passionate about continuing her education in fashion design.
“There’s just so much more to learn, I wouldn’t mind taking some more fashion courses, maybe in LA, maybe in New York, maybe in Vancouver?” said Migwans.
Her advice for Indigenous creators who are hesitant to explore their passion?
“It’s never too late, and never give up,” she said.
“Go in spaces and places that scare you because those are the places that make you grow. Just be daring and be deadly.”