Indigenous Fashion Runway Residency 2025
Closing Date of Opportunity: June 25, 2025
Name or Organization: The Banff Centre
Contact Email: Arts_Info@banffcentre.ca
Website: https://www.banffcentre.ca/
The three-week Indigenous Fashion Runway Residency offers four Indigenous fashion designers the opportunity to build their portfolios and showcase their runway work in a professional setting.
Participants will be supported by the faculty and Banff Centre’s production team as they explore working with models, photography, and fashion show preparation. This residency is a balance of exploration and self-directed preparation for the runway to showcase 6-8 looks.
Designers may apply with up to 2 collaborators.
This program offers four Indigenous designers and their collaborators will have the opportunity to work together on coordinating their segment of the fashion showcase runway. The program provides mentorship and professional development, fostering learning through hands-on experience, including:
Developing portfolios and showcasing work in a professional setting.
Working with faculty and Banff Centre’s production team.
Exploring modeling, photography, and runway preparation.
Program Highlights:
Collaborate on a fashion showcase runway, which will be professionally photographed and recorded with B-roll for your portfolio.
Workshops on lighting, projection, staging, sound design, and special effects.
Faculty led sessions on: Fashion as a Career, Marketing and Promotion of Products, Preparing for the Runway, and working with models and industry professions.
The residency will take place in Banff Centre’s Performing Arts Facilities, where each design team will have access to Lazlo Funtek Dance Studios, The Wardrobe Facility and the Margaret Greenham Theatre.
Indigenous designers are invited to apply with a newly featured design line that is either complete or near completion at the time of application, ensuring it is ready for showcase during the program.
Open to regional, national, and global Indigenous fashion makers, designers, and design companies.
Applicants will submit a portfolio, along with the theme and background of their work.
Lead Designers can apply with a co-designer (adornment & jewelry), and/or a designer’s assistant to support their design line. Their contributions will be recognized as designers in collaboration. All participants will take part in program sessions.
Applicants must be 18+ at the time of the program start date.
Indigenous domestic and international applications are welcome.
Visa Eligibility Information:
Please note that Banff Centre programs do not meet the eligibility requirements for a Canadian Student Visa.
If you are accepted into our program, you must obtain a Visitor Visa to enter Canada. Accepted participants are responsible for identifying and complying with the immigration requirements to enter Canada as a visitor from their country of origin. If you require a Visitor Visa please check the current expected processing times well in advance of applying.
We welcome applicants of all ages (18+), backgrounds, gender identities and expressions to apply.
