Skip to main content

Site Banner Ads

Site Search

Search

Up Here Publishing

Mobile Toggle

Utility navigation

  • Shop
  • Contact Us

Social Links

Facebook Twitter Instagram

Search Toggle

Search

Main navigation

  • Magazines
    • Latest Issue
    • Past Issues
    • Up Here Business
    • YK Guide
    • Move Up Here
  • Sections
    • People & Places
    • Arts & Lifestyle
    • History & Culture
    • Travel & Tourism
    • Nature & Science
  • Newsletters
  • Community Map
  • Contests
    • Sally Manning Award
    • Cold Snaps Photo Contest
    • Arctic Adventure Sweepstakes
  • Subscribe
    • Magazine
    • Digital Edition

Timeless Creations

Dene designer Robyn McLeod melds past and future through her luxury clothing line

By Dana Bowen

Photo by Alistair Maitland

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Timeless Creations

For designer Robyn McLeod, both the past and future are present in her designs. The Fort Providence born/Yukon-dwelling artist has released her latest collection titled, Dene Futurism, which is on display at Whitehorse’s Kwalin Dun Cultural Centre. The multi-disciplinary collection, funded by Canada Council and Culture Quest, features both digital art and clothing with futuristic themes.

“It’s playing around with that aspect of using your culture and the processes used for thousands of years and imagining Dene and Indigenous culture being practiced well into the future,” explains McLeod. “I want to imagine in a thousand years, I’d still be able to tan with caribou hides and use it as a form of self-expression.”

Among the collection is a dress dedicated to her Aunt Virginia, who passed away while McLeod was creating the piece. The Aunty Dress is a sleeveless gown with bold black and white stripes, along with strips of wolverine fur, which Elder Doris Bob helped McLeod sew on. Sandwiched in between the two furs is a set of colourful stripes.

Contrasting the futuristic holographic visor it’s paired with, the Aunty Dress’s full skirt and cinched-in waist is more akin to a 1950s silhouette. But it isn’t the first time McLeod has incorporated vintage styles into her designs.

About two years ago, while McLeod was studying at Yukon School of Visual Arts (SOVA), she designed a dress reminiscent of the Victorian era–but made entirely out of garbage.

“The underskirt is the plastic you use on the outside of the house, the back material is made of a mosquito screen…the top was made out of one of those mats you put under the carpet to stop from slipping, and the purple corset part was made out of Christmas decorations that I found,” says McLeod.

While she had previously studied fashion design in Vancouver and beaded earrings alongside her sister, Shawna McLeod, the artist had taken a hiatus from design to pursue other things. It’s that dress, however, that Robyn credits for getting her back into it.

Victorian-era dress made from garbage
Photo courtesy of Robyn McLeod

“Everyone’s [positive] reaction to me making that in three weeks… that’s what started me back on clothing again.”

Historical designs have continued to play a role in her work–even now, as she prepares to create a dress similar to what settlers wore when they arrived in the North, during the 1920s.

“Indigenous women really loved that fabric and that was mostly Hudson’s Bay plaid, so I’m going to be doing one last dress based off that plaid.”

The work in her collection was a team effort between the McLeod sisters and others in the community, who helped with sewing and beading.

Although Robyn’s career as a designer is just beginning, her work so far has offered a promising start.

“It hasn’t been too long since I started making dresses and I think people are surprised I know how to do it so well,” says Robyn, laughing.

Robyn’s designs are on display in Whitehorse until December 2, 2020.

Related Articles

January/February 2021

Snowflake up-close

Crystal Clear

Mounting snow outside your window may be breathtaking, but have you ever admired the look of a single snowflake? Well, now you can.

January 26th, 2021 January 26th, 2021

November/December 2020

Generational Designs

Separately, Ujaraatsiaq Ningeongan and her mother Elizabeth Ningeongan are great designers. But together, they’re unstoppable. 

January 26th, 2021 January 26th, 2021

Intertwining Culture And Creativity

The Métis beader on connecting to her ancestors through jewelry.

January 26th, 2021 January 26th, 2021

November/December 2020

Gerth Lyberth/Nunatta Isiginnaartitsisarfia

Those Who Run in the Sky heads to Greenland

Aviaq Johnston’s award-winning novel to be adapted by National Theatre of Greenland.

January 26th, 2021 January 26th, 2021

November/December 2020

THROAT SINGING IN A FACE MASK

Inuit musicians adapt tradition to the COVID-19 era.

January 26th, 2021 January 26th, 2021

Romping Around

Since Yellowknife’s Charlene Chapple made her first romper five years ago, people have been flocking to her designs.

January 26th, 2021 January 26th, 2021
November 12th, 2020 November 13th, 2020
Newsletter sign-up promo image.

Stay in Touch.

Our weekly newsletter brings all the best circumpolar stories right to your inbox.

Up Here magazine cover

Subscribe Now

Our magazine showcases award-winning writing and spectacular northern photos.

Subscribe

Footer Navigation

  • Advertise With Us
  • Work With Us
  • Write for Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimers & Legal

Contact Information

Up Here Publishing
4510-50th Ave., Ste. 102
Yellowknife, NT
X1A 1B9  Canada
Phone: 867.766.6710
Fax: 867.669.0626
Email: editor@uphere.ca

Social Links

Facebook Twitter Instagram
Funded by the Government of Canada