Wildfire recovery for this NWT fashion designer will take time

Wrigley’s D’Arcy Moses lost 30 years of original creations when his Enterprise studio burned in last summer’s wildfires. Now, he says recovering his losses will take more than money.

“I lost all the treasured pieces that I had. Beautiful evening wear, cocktail dresses, capes, menswear – I won’t get into that,” Moses told Cabin Radio.

“I lost all of my couture, which is evening wear for men and women, in that fire. Trunks of it.”

Moses has spent more than 10 years creating custom clothing and high fashion couture at his studio in Enterprise, a tiny hamlet located along the highway that connects the NWT to northern Alberta.

His workshop was a trove of original sketches, stencils, designs, materials and beadwork. The industrial equipment alone cost $300,000.

In the year since a wildfire destroyed much of the hamlet – the worst-hit NWT community in 2023’s devastating summer – residents have learned that uninsured businesses and homeowners will not receive disaster relief from the territorial or federal governments.

Moses says much of what he lost – one-of-a-kind fashion designs and wild materials – can’t be replaced with money. Still, like many other Enterprise residents, he had been relying on government aid to start over.

“I think the only disappointment with this whole fire was the lack of government support. Initially, we were promised disaster relief,” Moses said.

“That’s only just the coin part of it, because I was counting on that to buy new equipment, and now I’m starting from square one. Otherwise, the support has been really good.”

Moses says he is grateful for the support he’s received from NWT communities as well as from northerners directly.

The Líídlįį Kúę Regional High School donated two industrial machines, while Enterprise delivered food hampers and vouchers. Pehdzeh Ki First Nation supported him in building up a new studio in Wrigley.

With every paycheque, Moses says he squirrelled away some funds to buy equipment. He says he now has six industrial sewing machines.

“I was one of the fortunate ones in that fire. I was not there when it happened,” said Moses.

“I count my blessing very much in that regard. My studio, I’m standing in it now, in front of my cutting table. I’ve been buying one piece of equipment at a time.”

‘Something I love to do’

In the past year, Moses has been working to recover his lost collection. By day, he was the band manager for Pehdzeh Ki First Nation. On evenings and weekends, Moses says he would spend his time working on new designs and apparel.

Moses left his job at the band office last month to pursue fashion full-time.

Residents saw a collection of all-new designs by Moses at his booth during Yellowknife’s Folk on the Rocks music festival in July.

“I just did the Folk on the Rocks and it was great. I loved it,” said Moses, adding that everything at his booth was made after the fire.

“I was experimenting with streetwear and hip-hop jewellery and cool sunglasses. My own work, which would be embroidered jean jackets and aprons, hoodies – that sold out.”

Now, Moses is working on a collaboration to repurpose fur from old coats in new ways. He’s also moved into streetwear and home accessories like pillows, calling this period a time of “experimenting.”

“What motivates me now is that it’s something that I love to do,” said Moses. “Working here in this studio in Wrigley, it’s like my days fly by because I love what I’m doing.”

Moses says he misses his studio in Enterprise, where he says he did some of his best work. His fondest memories of that studio come from its location.

“What do they say about a business? Location, location, location. It was on the only road headed out of the North, an hour from the Alberta border,” Moses recalled.

“I miss the tourists from all over the world. Whether it be young American expats travelling via car or people from Japan … that would stop by and visit the studio.”

He describes the studio as a vibrant home-workshop space, comprising things that inspired him.

Original paintings, sculptures and carvings lined the space, along with furs and fabrics, with a large cutting table pushed up against a wall. Moses says he acquired the northern art that decorated his studio through a barter system between artists.

“It’s a culmination of creating a space that is inspiring to you, which I’m slowly doing here in this small studio I have here in Wrigley,” said Moses, adding he’s interested in boosting online sales.

“You don’t really need a retail location any more.”

Now that he no longer has a shop to connect and interact with people, Moses has set his sights on teaching, which has always been a source of joy.

“Teaching people, the years of taking your knowledge and sharing it with others – that’s an important part, especially now as I get somewhat older,” said Moses.

“You’re making something that impacts somebody’s life. That’s a very special component about it. The fact that somebody appreciates and loves your work is very special.”