Meet the Designers
Ariel Nakogee, Neepeesh Designs
Ariel Nakogee is a beadwork artist and aspiring seamstress from Attawapiskat First Nation. Currently studying Indigenous Social Work at Laurentian University, she shares her creations through Neepeesh Designs. Ariel’s work is rooted in storytelling, each piece reflecting connections to identity, family, and community.
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Ariel presents a collection centered on empowerment, using fashion as a powerful form of self-expression. Her designs aim to inspire confidence, pride, and a sense of belonging, reminding each person that they are important and deeply valued.
Aliyah Spence, Creations by Aliyah
Aliyah Spence is a member of Marten Falls First Nation and the artist behind Creations by Aliyah. A lifelong creator, she has been nurturing her artistic gifts since childhood. Today, she balances her passion for design with her role as a mother of two, bringing strength, care, and cultural pride into every piece she creates.
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Aliyah presents “The Sacred Walk”—a collection that honours the journeys of Indigenous women. Each piece reflects stages of growth and transformation, from the first steps into womanhood to the strength of water carriers and the wisdom of matriarchs. Her designs carry stories of resilience, identity, and the sacred paths Indigenous women walk every day.
Caroline Fletcher
​Caroline Fletcher is originally from Moose Factory, Ontario. She has been sewing and creating Indigenous crafts and jewelry since childhood, taught by her grandmother and mother. Her practice has since evolved into clothing design and beaded embroidery, blending traditional teachings with contemporary expression. Her work is deeply inspired by the land, nature, and the changing seasons of the North.
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1st Outfit (White 2-Piece)
This design honours spirit and the transition from winter to spring. The white represents snow and the presence of the Creator, while the subtle tones beneath reflect the earth waiting for new life to emerge. The piece speaks to renewal, patience, and the unseen life within the land.
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2nd Outfit (Blue & Brown Dress)
Inspired by Moose Factory and the Moose River, this design reflects the waters of James Bay and the shoreline of home. The deep blue represents the river, while the brown tones honour the land and island shores. This piece carries memories of everyday life by the water and reflects peace, grounding, and healing found in connection to home.
Dolores Gull, CREE STYLE BY De LORES
“I saw the handmade crafts at a table in the middle of a room, and I knew right then that I wanted to be an Indigenous Fashion Designer”
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For Dolores Gull, Fashion is a lifelong heartbeat. With roots in the Weenusk First Nation and a home in Timmins, she has spent over 30 years turning memories into wearable history. Specializing in custom apparel wear and indigenous style, her label, CREE STYLE BY De LORES, is a testament to the power of a young girl’s dream. Tonight’s collection celebrates the strength of the Cree woman -- bold, resilient, and connected to the land in every stitch.
Lauren Linklater-Pizzale, Kahkakew Designs
Proudly Omushkego Inninew Iskwew, Lauree Linklater-Pizzale is from Moose Cree First Nation, with family ties to Winisk, Chisasibi, Waskaganish, and Attawapiskat. She is a proud wife, mother of three, and grandmother, currently living in North Bay, Ontario, where she leads a health organization, Giiwedno Mshkikiiwgamig – North Bay Indigenous Hub.
Her sewing journey began through teachings passed down from her nohkumpanak, who were deeply present in her life and teachings. She carries forward their knowledge of land, identity, and sewing. Her nohkum’s sewing machine, gifted to her after her passing, became a source of learning, teaching her patience, love, strength, and gentleness.
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Her collection, “Nee we ki oh tee nen,” aligns the wearer with the space they are claiming. The pieces are designed to support Indigenous people in asserting their inherent rights, presence, and identity. These garments are intended for ceremony, celebration, advocacy, and everyday expression of who we are as Indigenous peoples.
Vivian Pratt
coming soon!