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‘From Darkness to Light’: Nisga’a Museum’s first annual fashion show

Four boys on a stage with their backs to the camera showing traditional indigenous designs on white capes
Lillian Tait's collection of traditional menswear. Photo by Morgyn Budden.
Morgyn Budden - CFNR - Terrace • BC | 30-11-2022
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The Nisga’a Museum held its first annual fashion show at the Gitlax̱t'aamiks recreation center on Saturday, showcasing a balance of traditional and contemporary Indigenous styles. 

"From Darkness to Light" was inspired by 80-year-old Nisga’a designer Lillian Tait and a story her grandfather told her about overcoming hardship. 

Tait has put on her own runway displays in the past, all with the same theme, which is what inspired the museum director and curator Theresa Schobert to revive the idea in the latest show. 

Three of the designers featured had varying levels of traditional and modern elements in their collections. Tait focused heavily on traditional designs, displaying a collection of headbands, masks, and capes. All of Tait’s pieces featured artwork created by her husband Alver Tait. 

Four women with their backs to the audience showing short red capes that feature traditional indigenous designs.

Lillian Tait's "light" designs for her 'From Darkness to light' collection. Photo by Morgyn Budden.

Jamie Davis owns and runs a small jewelry business called “The Jada Collection.” Her models donned earrings and all black with shawls that featured traditional designs. 

Vanessa Morgan’s collection featured traditional pieces with modern twists. Vests in colours outside of the traditional red and black, and crocheted accessories including earrings, hats, and bottoms. 

There were originally 27 designers interested in displaying their work on the runway, though many couldn’t participate due to other cultural events and emergencies. 

But Sheila Gosnell, special projects coordinator for the museum, and Schobert were happy with the end result and hope that they can feature more artists in more locations in the future. 

With several Nisga’a communities in the north, Schobert cited hopes to bring the runway to places like Terrace and Prince Rupert, and hopefully even Vancouver. 

Gifts were handed out to each of the models as a thank you for their bravery in walking the runway for the first time, including Pearl Morrison, who hopes to pursue a career in modelling. 

Door prizes were also awarded to a few lucky attendees before a cake was cut to round out the evening.

Listen to the CFNR story featuring Tait, Schobert and Gosnell below:

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