A new web series focuses on the Indigenous fashion industry

Whether it’s for a fashion shoot, the red carpet or a television program, Michaella Montana has spent much of her career in front of a camera so this year she’s doing something a little different.

In a heel-turn, she’s fixing her lens on what she believes is one of the most underexposed areas in her line of work.

“I’m very motivated by how Indigenous designers are often overlooked in the mainstream, dominant fashion industry,” said Montana.

And she should know.

As one of the most successful Indigenous models to have sprung from the Prairies, the Regina-based, Frog Lake First Nation member has not only posed and walked for some of the most distinguished brands, she’s also been a host and correspondent for CTV’s eTalk.

“I wanted to create a series for Indigenous designers to reclaim their voices, stories, and designs, and be in control of their
own narratives,” she said.

Starting January 20, Montana is launching ‘Behind the Seams’, an eight-part web-series focusing on underrepresented
Indigenous designers from around the continent.

Each episode will be an in-depth conversation with one designer.

“I wanted to get to know each designer on a personal level and understand the design ethos and philosophies behind their
work,” said Montana. “A lot of them opened up in a very intimate way.”

The designers profiled include: Jennifer Younger Designs; Taalrumiq; Reecreeations (Agnes Yellowbear);
Dene Couture (Tisha Marlowe); K. Lookinghorse (Kayla Lookinghorse); Haus of Dumont (Michel Dumont); Merdi
Sihombing; and Jill Waterman.

Conversations will range from cultural specificity with certain geometric designs, to experiences with racism shaping career and
artistic practice, to the practical and rich history behind Indigenous clothing.

“It’s very educational,” said Montana.  “Part of my focus is to support and bring to audiences how Indigenous fashion is. In fact, couture
fashion and high fashion – is art. But I also wanted it to be very educational in learning about different Indigenous communities across the globe.”

A through-line with each of the designers is their focus on sustainability.

Indigenous fashion stands at the antithesis of fast-fashion, said Montana, focusing on sustainability, quality, and intentionality, rather than maximizing quantity and profits.

“Indigenous fashion is the original slow-fashion,” she said. “It’s the original couture, authentic fashion because everything is hand
made. There is intention behind each stitch.”

Almost every designer Montana has spoken to say, “they’re putting their own medicine into the work they create.”

Having been in the industry for many years she knows this type of fashion has been historically under-represented in the mainstream industry.

Often important fashion events happening in Paris or Milan rarely feature Indigenous designers.

Ironically, while Indigenous fashion is under-represented, it’s also been subject to countless examples of appropriation or outright theft.

Major fashion brands like Ralph Lauren, Pendleton, Louis Vuitton, Valentino, Zara, Athropologie, and Urban Outfitters
have been accused of profiting off of Indigenous designs while lacking consent or compensation.

For example, Urban Outfitters was accused of using the Navajo name and tribal patterns on products without consent.
Luxury brand Valentino was accused in 2025 of stealing traditional Dene and Métis beading designs for bags the company
sold for over $1,000.

Raising awareness has led to some positive changes.

The Ralph Lauren Corporation, has begun to collaborate with Indigenous designers through an Artist in Residence program.

“A lot of these designs are ceremonial, traditional designs,” said Montana. “There’s sacred meaning behind them. When a
major fashion brand takes them and misappropriates them, no one knows these sacred meanings. Those things are lost.”

Every thread of Montana’s new series, is based on empowerment and recognition for the overlooked artists behind the Indigenous fashion industry.

It is a project she is passionate about and she wrote and produced the series entirely independently.

The driving force behind it was to do whatever she could to elevate these talented designers to their deserved status.

“Working in entertainment news, there’s a lot of limitations behind the story being told, so I wanted to do something where I
could steer the ship,” she said. “I’m nervous because I feel like my heart will be seen by the world. It’s very liberating and exciting to do this on my own.
But this isn’t about me – it’s about these Indigenous designers and sharing their stories.”

The first two episodes drop on YouTube on January 20, followed by weekly episodes for the next six weeks.
Montana hopes to receive funding to shoot season two of ‘Behind the Seams’ this spring.