It’s starting to finally feel like spring where I am—the sun is coming out more often, flowers are blooming everywhere and people are out and about—and I can’t wait to see all the bright and fun fashion people are wearing! So many artists in the wearable art space combine vibrant colours and use materials in unique ways. Here are just a handful who might inspire you to refresh your spring wardrobe this year.
Martha Kyak Our Flourishing Culture (2020) silk, embroidery lace, dyed sealskin and beads, pearls COURTESY WAG-QAUMAJUQ © THE ARTIST
Martha Kyak
Fashion designer and artist Martha Kyak’s work is elegant and striking. I know I’ll be scrolling through her Instagram page next time I need outfit inspiration for a fancy summer event! Originally from Mittimatalik (Pond Inlet), NU, and currently based in Ottawa, ON, she creates beautiful contemporary garments inspired by traditional Inuit designs and materials. Her work has been showcased in galleries and on the runway in places like Vancouver and New York, with garments ranging from sealskin necklaces to dresses to parkas. You can see her blend of contemporary and traditional in Our Flourishing Culture (2020), one of my favourite pieces by her, which was exhibited at the Winnipeg Art Gallery-Qaumajuq in INUA (2021–2023). The light fabric of a traditional parka shape is covered in little flowers made out of sealskin in all different colours. It’s like you’re wearing a field of flowers! I often think of cold weather and the incredible warmth that sealskin brings to garments, but this piece celebrates the material in a different way.
Neevee Padluq Summer coat (2024) quilting fabric © THE ARTIST
Neevee Padluq
Summer weather varies depending on where you are, so if you’re somewhere that tends to be a bit chillier, perhaps check out seamstress Neeve Padluq’s summer jackets. Based in St. John’s, NL, and originally from Iqaluit, NU, Padluq creates beautiful arctic outerwear and accessories through her business, Neevee’s Coats. She tends to make winter parkas out of a variety of colours, bringing some brightness to the cold weather. Padluq often uses sealskin in her work, and she also teaches workshops on working with the material, but summer coats are a newer part of her practice. Her summer parkas feature similar silhouettes to her winter parkas but are made with lighter-weight material that is quilted, giving the coat some visual texture. They’re perfect for those cooler days!
Tammy Ann Hannaford Purple flowers in elk antler (2022) pressed flowers and elk antler © THE ARTIST
Tammy Ann Hannaford
I’m partial to anything floral, so I immediately fell in love with Tammy Ann Hannaford’s jewellery. Her work screams relaxed summer brightness to me! Originally from Rigolet, Nunatsiavut, NL, Hannaford specializes in creating jewellery with antler, resin and pressed flowers, which she sells through her business Porcupine Kunik. The light colours of the elk antler here, combined with the purples and greens of the pressed flowers, make Hannford’s work subtle yet full of life and beauty. I love the combination of materials, too—the delicate flowers surrounded by hard elk antler bring an interesting contrast to these earrings. I imagine summer is the perfect time to wear these earrings, but it’d also be nice to carry a bit of brightness into winter in these pieces of jewellery.
Eleanor Partridge Aqpik earrings (2024) polymer clay, seed beads, felt and white rabbit leather © THE ARTIST
Eleanor Partridge
When I think of the warmer months, beyond flowers, I think of berry season—there’s nothing better than eating fresh strawberries and blueberries! Eleanor Partridge's favourite type of art to make is jewellery using polymer clay and beads, often featuring aqpiit and other berries alongside fireweed flowers, which she sells through her business Aupaluk Designs. Partridge grew up in Kuujjuaq, Nunavik, QC, and currently lives in eastern Ontario. She uses bright, vibrant colours in her work, often oranges, magentas, greens and reds. I love the detailing in the leaves of these earrings, and how the precise white and clear beads framing the aqpiit give the earrings a subtle boost of texture. The muted white background allows the aqpiit to really pop. Though jewellery-making is Partridge’s primary practice, she has experience with embroidery pieces and digital illustrations. The detail she adds to such a small surface area is impressive.
Angela Aula Makeup look inspired by the stories of Nuliajuk and the qallupilluit (2023) © THE ARTIST
Angela Aula
Usually, when I start to emerge from my winter cocoon, I feel more creative and bold with my makeup choices. I think it has something to do with seeing nature come back to life and colour around me. For some makeup artistry inspiration, look no further than Toronto-based painter and makeup artist Angela Aula, originally from Iqaluit, NU, who creates vibrant makeup looks inspired by her Inuit culture on her TikTok page. Aula originally started making makeup videos in 2020 when she found other Indigenous creators on the platform. She has since created detailed looks inspired by Kenojuak Ashevak’s The Preening Owl (2022), the stories of Nuliajuk and the qallupilluit and even the film The Grizzlies (2018). I’m amazed at how she skillfully blends eyeshadows and other products to create detailed and intricate looks on the face. Aula’s makeup work is a reminder of how art can be created in different ways and spaces. With many festivals and events coming up this summer, perhaps one of Aula’s makeup looks will inspire you to branch out and try something new, even if it’s just adding a little bit of coloured eyeshadow!