Artist: Jamie Okuma

May 30 – June 2, 2024 – The 4th Biennial Indigenous Fashion Arts Festival


RUNWAY and MARKETPLACE applications for the 2024 Festival are now CLOSED

HAVE QUESTIONS? NEED HELP?
Amye Annett-Werner
Program Manager
programming@indigenousfashionarts.com

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Apply To The IFA Festival

Download the Application Guidebook

Artistic Policy 

Indigenous Fashion Arts (IFA) presents Indigenous-made/designed fashion, craft and textile works in runway presentations, curated exhibitions, artist talks, panels, lectures, hands-on workshops, and a marketplace for all audiences.

IFA accepts applications of fashion, craft or textile works in any style. The Selections Committee seeks innovative and creative work with a strong artistic vision or brand DNA.

IFA programs 60% or more Indigenous women-identified artists and their fashion, craft and textile works.

Indigenous artists, collectives and brands from across Canada and worldwide are invited to apply to exhibit in the runway and marketplace programs.

Emerging, mid-career and established artists and designers are equally considered for programming. 

A submitted application does not guarantee inclusion in the Festival, as limited programming spots are available.

The words artist and designer are used interchangeably.

All artists exhibited on the runway, in the art exhibition, workshops and/or panels are paid artist fees by IFA based on the CARFAC minimum fee schedule.

Artists selected as a vendor in the marketplace must pay a booth rental fee and are not paid artist fees. IFA does not collect additional commission fees.

Please see the IFA Programming Policy on our About Us page for detailed information.

Eligibility 

Programmed artists and designers are Indigenous. They are recognized citizens or members of their nation or community. Indigenous includes First Nation, Inuit or Metis or the hundreds of international Indigenous nations.

Emerging, Mid-Career and Established Artists / Designers are eligible to apply and will be considered equally. 

Selection Process 

IFA is committed to managing a transparent selection process, presenting high excellence in our programming, and maintaining artistic integrity that mutually benefits programmed artists, IFA and our audiences. IFA prioritizes new fashion, craft, and textile works. Priority may be given to works not yet presented nationally in Canada, provincially in Ontario, or locally in Toronto.

The runway program is assessed on artistic merit, technicality and skill, the artist’s and audiences’ impacts, and overall cohesion to a show. 

In special programs, such as a spotlight, an artist may be solicited or curated into a program. The Artistic Director and sometimes a guest curator and/or advisor(s) select solicited and curated artists.

Due to high submission volumes and the limited runway and/or marketplace spots, the selection committee may choose to prioritize works by an Indigenous designer that has not yet had the opportunity of a public presentation or, in the case of the runway, that focuses on artistic expression rather than commercial fashion. 

The Selection Committee comprises mostly Indigenous professionals and representatives from the fashion, arts or cultural sectors. The Selection Committee is formed and led by the Artistic Director. 

The Indigenous Designers Showroom

The Indigenous Designers Showroom is a virtual showroom exclusively in partnership with Canadian retailer La Maison Simons. The initiative focuses on growing Indigenous representation in the Canadian fashion industry by growing visibility and business relations between the retailer and Indigenous designers.

Indigenous Fashion Arts invites Indigenous designers and artists to apply free of charge to the Showroom with their fashion, jewellery, textile prints, visual arts and craft works for viewing by all departments at Simons. Simons buys various types of products from season to season based on changing factors. We are currently seeking works from artists and designers specializing in textile prints, visual arts, graphic design and homeware. Works selected from the Showroom will be printed on Simons products or manufactured for retail at Simons.  

Indigenous Fashion Arts and Simons will only contact applicants whose work is selected for acquisition.

Please note, that the application form is currently being updated. We encourage those interested in applying to check back at a later date.


Terms & Conditions

By submitting this Application, the Applicant gives consent to Indigenous Fashion Arts and La Maison Simons to internally and privately distribute the application contents for possible commercial acquisition by La Maison Simons.

The Applicant agrees they are the sole owner of all intellectual property rights in and to the results and product of the application contents. “Intellectual Property Rights” for this Application shall mean and include all copyrights, trademarks, publicity rights, rights of privacy, project rights, publishing rights, reproduction rights, trademarks, and any and all other associated, allied and ancillary rights in the images and other elements embodied in the application content. 

An Application does not grant any license to Indigenous Fashion Arts, nor La Maison Simons to reproduce, publish, and distribute the application contents, in whole or in part, without the Applicant’s written consent. Indigenous Fashion Arts or La Maison Simons shall not use the application contents, in whole or in part, to create any derivative works or new works without the Applicant’s written consent.

Indigenous Fashion Arts is a non-profit arts organization and the presenter of Indigenous Fashion Week Toronto.

About Indigenous Fashion Arts

Indigenous Fashion Arts (IFA) is a multi-platform non-profit organization for Indigenous-made fashion, craft and textile arts. We explore the deep connections between mainstream fashion, Indigenous art and traditional practice through artist development, public engagement and sector innovation. IFA’s primary activity is the biennial Indigenous Fashion Week Toronto festival. Our programming and initiatives challenge perceptions of and celebrate Indigenous people and our culture with integrity, innovation and excellence. With amplified visibility of and led by Indigenous women, Indigenous Fashion Arts is bold, inclusive and accessible.  

About La Maison Simons

Simons was founded in 1840 by John Simons as a dry goods store in Quebec City and has since built its reputation on being an accessible and inspired fashion brand. Simons is led by brothers Peter and Richard Simons who carry on the family legacy and the brand’s commitment to cultivating creativity, building meaningful relationships with staff, partners and customers, and being mindful of the environment and the communities where they do business.

Simons offers an extensive and fashion-forward collection of its own exclusive and innovative private label brands for men and women, complemented by today’s leading labels, discovery brands from around the world and an edited collection of Canadian and international designers, making it well known for its exceptional selection of merchandise for everyone. Simons also carries home fashions for the bedroom, bathroom and kitchen.

All 15 Simons stores are compelling, original environments that inspire customers through fashion, art and architecture.

Indigenous Fashion Week Toronto Privacy Policy

Indigenous Designers content

Terms & Conditions

By submitting this Application, the Applicant gives consent to Indigenous Fashion Arts and La Maison Simons to internally and privately distribute the application contents for possible commercial acquisition by La Maison Simons.

The Applicant agrees they are the sole owner of all intellectual property rights in and to the results and product of the application contents. “Intellectual Property Rights” for this Application shall mean and include all copyrights, trademarks, publicity rights, rights of privacy, project rights, publishing rights, reproduction rights, trademarks, and any and all other associated, allied and ancillary rights in the images and other elements embodied in the application content. 

An Application does not grant any license to Indigenous Fashion Arts, nor La Maison Simons to reproduce, publish, and distribute the application contents, in whole or in part, without the Applicant’s written consent. Indigenous Fashion Arts or La Maison Simons shall not use the application contents, in whole or in part, to create any derivative works or new works without the Applicant’s written consent.

Indigenous Fashion Arts is a non-profit arts organization and the presenter of Indigenous Fashion Week Toronto.

About Indigenous Fashion Arts

Indigenous Fashion Arts (IFA) is a multi-platform non-profit organization for Indigenous-made fashion, craft and textile arts. We explore the deep connections between mainstream fashion, Indigenous art and traditional practice through artist development, public engagement and sector innovation. IFA’s primary activity is the biennial Indigenous Fashion Week Toronto festival. Our programming and initiatives challenge perceptions of and celebrate Indigenous people and our culture with integrity, innovation and excellence. With amplified visibility of and led by Indigenous women, Indigenous Fashion Arts is bold, inclusive and accessible.  

About La Maison Simons

Simons was founded in 1840 by John Simons as a dry goods store in Quebec City and has since built its reputation on being an accessible and inspired fashion brand. Simons is led by brothers Peter and Richard Simons who carry on the family legacy and the brand’s commitment to cultivating creativity, building meaningful relationships with staff, partners and customers, and being mindful of the environment and the communities where they do business.

Simons offers an extensive and fashion-forward collection of its own exclusive and innovative private label brands for men and women, complemented by today’s leading labels, discovery brands from around the world and an edited collection of Canadian and international designers, making it well known for its exceptional selection of merchandise for everyone. Simons also carries home fashions for the bedroom, bathroom and kitchen.

All 15 Simons stores are compelling, original environments that inspire customers through fashion, art and architecture.

Indigenous Fashion Week Toronto Privacy Policy

Terms & Conditions

By submitting this Application, the Applicant gives consent to Indigenous Fashion Arts and La Maison Simons to internally and privately distribute the application contents for possible commercial acquisition by La Maison Simons.

The Applicant agrees they are the sole owner of all intellectual property rights in and to the results and product of the application contents. “Intellectual Property Rights” for this Application shall mean and include all copyrights, trademarks, publicity rights, rights of privacy, project rights, publishing rights, reproduction rights, trademarks, and any and all other associated, allied and ancillary rights in the images and other elements embodied in the application content. 

An Application does not grant any license to Indigenous Fashion Arts, nor La Maison Simons to reproduce, publish, and distribute the application contents, in whole or in part, without the Applicant’s written consent. Indigenous Fashion Arts or La Maison Simons shall not use the application contents, in whole or in part, to create any derivative works or new works without the Applicant’s written consent.

Indigenous Fashion Arts is a non-profit arts organization and the presenter of Indigenous Fashion Week Toronto.

About Indigenous Fashion Arts

Indigenous Fashion Arts (IFA) is a multi-platform non-profit organization for Indigenous-made fashion, craft and textile arts. We explore the deep connections between mainstream fashion, Indigenous art and traditional practice through artist development, public engagement and sector innovation. IFA’s primary activity is the biennial Indigenous Fashion Week Toronto festival. Our programming and initiatives challenge perceptions of and celebrate Indigenous people and our culture with integrity, innovation and excellence. With amplified visibility of and led by Indigenous women, Indigenous Fashion Arts is bold, inclusive and accessible.  

About La Maison Simons

Simons was founded in 1840 by John Simons as a dry goods store in Quebec City and has since built its reputation on being an accessible and inspired fashion brand. Simons is led by brothers Peter and Richard Simons who carry on the family legacy and the brand’s commitment to cultivating creativity, building meaningful relationships with staff, partners and customers, and being mindful of the environment and the communities where they do business.

Simons offers an extensive and fashion-forward collection of its own exclusive and innovative private label brands for men and women, complemented by today’s leading labels, discovery brands from around the world and an edited collection of Canadian and international designers, making it well known for its exceptional selection of merchandise for everyone. Simons also carries home fashions for the bedroom, bathroom and kitchen.

All 15 Simons stores are compelling, original environments that inspire customers through fashion, art and architecture.

Indigenous Fashion Week Toronto Privacy Policy

Terms & Conditions

By submitting this Application, the Applicant consents to Indigenous Fashion Arts to internally and privately distribute the application contents.

The Applicant agrees they are the sole owner of all intellectual property rights in and to the results and product of the application contents. “Intellectual Property Rights” for this Application shall mean and include all copyrights, trademarks, publicity rights, rights of privacy, project rights, publishing rights, reproduction rights, trademarks, and any and all other associated, allied and ancillary rights in the images and other elements embodied in the application content. 

An Application does not grant any license to Indigenous Fashion Arts to reproduce, publish, and distribute the application contents, in whole or in part, without the Applicant’s written consent. Indigenous Fashion Arts shall not use the application contents, in whole or in part, to create any derivative works or new works without the Applicant’s written consent.

Indigenous Fashion Arts is a non-profit arts organization and the presenter of the biennial Indigenous Fashion Arts Festival.