Models Ocean Bruyere, Aaliyah Tait, Madison Moore, and Tamara Fontaine stand with designer Alyssia Sutherland in a recent photo. CTV News
Excitement is building as two talented models from Manitoba prepare to make a splash at Paris Fashion Week next month. Madison Moore, a Swampy Cree member of Opaskwayak Cree Nation, and Aaliyah Tait, a Winnipegger with Cree-Mi'kmaq and Trinidadian heritage, will debut on the runway, showcasing unique designs that highlight their Indigenous roots.
Moore and Tait are set to model creations from Ally’s Ribbons, a couture ribbon-work line designed by Alyssia Sutherland of Peguis First Nation. Their journey began in May when Moore met Sutherland at the Manito Ahbee Festival’s Red Road Cultural Clothing showcase. Impressed by Sutherland’s work, Moore was thrilled when Sutherland invited her to join the Paris Fashion Week event. "She asked me, 'Are you wanting to travel across the world with me?' And I looked at her like, 'Yes, of course. How can I say no?'" Moore recalled.
Madison Moore poses in a recent photo. The Indigenous model from Manitoba is preparing for her debut at Paris Fashion Week next month. CTV News
Preparing for this international debut has been a whirlwind for Moore. She has been practicing meditation and walking in heels to ensure she’s ready for the spotlight. Embracing her role as a representative of her community, Moore feels a deep sense of pride and responsibility. "I feel very confident. I feel very strong. I know that my ancestors are watching me, and I get to carry them with me and show them that we are making a movement," she shared.
Madison Moore walks the runway at the Manitoba Ahbee Festival’s Red Road Cultural Clothing showcase, wearing a design by Anne Mulaire, on May 18, 2024. Instagram
Aaliyah Tait’s modelling career, which was put on hold due to the pandemic, has also seen a remarkable resurgence. Tait had signed with an agency just before COVID-19 struck, but the shutdown delayed her career launch. Inspired by Moore’s success, Tait decided to give modelling another chance, starting with the Manito Ahbee Festival. Her efforts led to opportunities to model at an Indigenous fashion showcase in Calgary and invitations to Paris and New York fashion weeks.
Aaliyah Tait poses in a recent photo. She will be modelling at both Paris and New York fashion weeks next month. CTV News
Like Moore, Tait received a call from Sutherland, inviting her to wear the ribbon-work designs on the Paris runway. "Things are falling into place, and it just feels like not even real life, if I'm being honest," Tait said. This opportunity marks a significant milestone for Tait, who has never travelled outside of Canada.
To make their Parisian dreams a reality, both models are currently raising funds for their trip. They are seeking corporate and brand sponsorships to cover their airfare, accommodation, and other expenses. Despite the challenges, the support from their community has been overwhelming and transformative. "It’s just so unreal how much support I’ve been getting. I never realized how much people were rooting for me, and honestly, it’s just life-changing," Tait expressed.
Aaliyah Tait models an Anne Mulaire design at the Manitoba Ahbee Festival on May 18, 2024. CTV News
As Moore and Tait prepare to take the Paris Fashion Week runway by storm, their journey symbolizes a broader movement for Indigenous representation in the fashion world. Their presence in Paris not only showcases their individual talents but also brings greater visibility to Indigenous artistry and culture on a global stage.
