Guysssssss, I’ve been a mad fan of Dickson Designs since I was first introduced to her work through a collaboration she did with Shawna McLeod Photography, Tania Larsson Studio and Kamamak Cosmetics. I recognized the beaded hankie – my Setsune (grandmother) used to wear these every day, and I own one of her silk hankies now. The product made me grin, and when Heather (the woman behind Dickson Designs) started with the graphics printed on clothing, my little heart swooned.
So much goals, so much love.
Fast forward a year later, and it turns out she and I were presenting at the same panel together in Thunder Bay, ON. We were online friends, so we made plans to gather a few models, get some makeup together, bring some of our collective swag, and get photographing. She made friends with Renee, and asked her to be one of our models. I made a call out and asked Cynthia, after convincing her that her bangs were cool. We brought Indigenous goods from both our personal collections and loaded down my hotel room: items from She Native’s #WeAreDene collaboration, the infamous beaded hats and bunnyhugs (hoodies) from Dickson Designs, delicate jewelry from Tania Larsson Studio, beaded bing by Beads, Rhymes, Life, flowing feathers by Savage Rose, and so. much. more. My hotel room looked like a pow-wow booth, it was so great.
My baby cousin and friend Breanna second-shot with us, as well as handled the makeup. Heather was our assistant, ha. We finally hopped into Renee’s car, and cruised around Thunder Bay, finding sketchy back alleys and poplar’s to shoot at. We laughed, teased, and had some Starbucks. We made our model’s freeze (SORRY!….ish) but the light was magic, the wind our friend, and goals were slayed.
Now… how do I get to Whitehorse for a visit?
Huge thank you to BreKateri Photography for the behind the scenes – you were amazing!
