Local designer off to Paris
Madison Reeve - Aug 09, 2017 - Biz Releases

Image: Peter Jensen

A local designer is packing her bags for Paris.

Jill Setah grew up in the Chilcotin Nation and now lives on the Westbank First Nation reserve.

Setah first got into fashion design when she made traditional aboriginal regalia by hand for her children.

”I have been sewing for many years. I started making traditional regila’s for my children. The first outfit I ever put together I had to hand sew because I had no knowledge of a sewing machine,” she said.

She ended up taking a fashion design and merchandising program at the Centre for Arts and Technology in 2010 to “learn how to assemble clothing the proper way.”

She has since started her own fashion company, First Lady, and has attended shows in New York, Los Angeles and across B.C.

Setah was invited to Paris by Tiffany Saunders of Oxford Fashion Studios.

“I am so excited. This is my dream to see my First Nations creations go down the runway in Paris,” Setah added.

“I received a grant from the First Peoples Cultural Council that paid for my registration fee, which was $5,600. I managed to pay for my flight of $1,000 round trip. So now I am left to fundraise my accommodations and food, she said.

To support Setah, visit her gofundme page.


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