Yellowknife hosts thrifted fashion show this weekend

“I’ve had previous fashion designs, clothing that I’ve made, and just seeing an event like this? I was really interested. I want to try it out.”

Rufta Tesfamichael will be one of the designers behind a thrifted fashion show taking place at Yellowknife’s École St Patrick High School on Saturday.

Tesfamichael, a student at the school, is part of a group who spent early March acquiring items at a clothing swap they helped to host, and who have since been working on their designs and theme.

“I’m doing a summery bohemian vibe. It’s going to be cheery and a loud, out-there vibe because it’s during a midsummer April fashion show,” she said.

The show takes place from 4pm on April 26 at the high school’s “rock area” – the expanse of exposed bedrock that forms the signature feature of the school’s main foyer.

Entry is by donation to the city’s food bank.

Cindy Kimove, assistant principal for career and trades development at St Pat’s, said students with a wide range of interests are helping to make the fashion show work.

“We hosted a model call at the school and a lot of the people who are interested in potentially pursuing a career in modelling got to have their first attempt at a model audition,” Kimove said.

“We are engaging the photography students at the school to think about appropriate angles for fashion shoots as opposed to portraits or other things they might do in their classes. We have also employed our cosmetology students to help with coming up with the styling for hair and makeup.

“In addition to all of that, it is community service because we are giving back with our food bank donations and also keeping things out of the landfill, which is great.”

The thrifted fashion show is part of Yellowknife’s broader Earth Week schedule.

“It is a continuation of the clothing swaps Ecology North has been co-hosting with Alyssa from A-list Organizing & Design, who does this incredible job at throwing these huge free clothing swaps,” said Ecology North’s Hannah Ascough.

“It fits so perfectly in the theme of Earth Week, which is to think about and celebrate not just the planet and our relationships, but the ways in which we can improve our climate action or think about creative ways to engage in climate action.

“A thrifted fashion show is the perfect example – taking clothes from a clothing swap, upcycling them and breathing new life into them.”

Kimove said students were keen to take part in the show.

“It just so happens that right now, thrifting is really in for the kids,” she said.

“It’s a popular thing and it’s something that people are really excited to jump on board with. I didn’t have to do any convincing. We right away had a whole crew of kids ready to go.”

The fashion show fits into a Saturday packed with Earth Week activities across the city.

More: This year’s Earth Week schedule

A coffee house and clothing swap runs at Mildred Hall School from 9am-2pm that day, featuring music and a free barbecue provided by Yellowknife Co-op.

“We’ll also have an electric transportation showcase outside. If you’re thinking about greening up how you move around the city, this is a perfect opportunity to chat with people,” said Ascough.

That’s followed by a treasure hunt on Tin Can Hill before the fashion show and then a community dinner also at St Pat’s.