Indigenous Fashion Runway Residency 2025

Application Deadline June 25, 2025

Program Dates Nov 17, 2025 - Dec 05, 2025

Overview  

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. 

Description

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. 

Requirements

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.