Robin Cote: A Creative Force Bridging Worlds through Fashion and Identity

EFN Media is pleased to introduce our newest edition to the team Robin Cote. She will be looking will be contributing to the Art and Entertainment beat with a focus on fashion and beauty. We are looking forward to the content Robin will contribute as she travels both locally and nationally. She is also the president of the Saskatchewan First Nations Veterans Association – South.

I am a creative professional with a background in fashion, makeup artistry, and a deep passion for storytelling. After serving in the military, I moved to Los Angeles in 2017, where I pursued my love for fashion and design at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM).

My journey from the military to the world of fashion has been about more than just career shifts; it’s been about bridging worlds and finding a way to blend the contemporary with the traditional. As a stylist and makeup artist, I’ve made it my mission to express the beauty of diverse identities, weaving my cultural heritage into modern aesthetics.

For me, fashion and makeup are more than just about appearance—they’re powerful tools for storytelling.

Growing up, it often felt as though there wasn’t a space for First Nation women in contemporary fashion, and at times, it seemed like we had to choose between existing in one world or the other, as often portrayed in Hollywood narratives. But I believe we don’t have to choose between honoring our heritage and thriving in the contemporary world.

We can live fully in both.

One of the most profound moments in my career happened when I was doing Aly Bear’s makeup.

Aly, a fierce advocate for #MMIW and a lawyer, was preparing to announce her candidacy for Chief of the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations.

As I applied her makeup, we talked about the significance of the moment. She shared how, like me, she often felt the pressure to fit into two worlds—maintaining her cultural identity while navigating the challenges of leadership in a modern context. But we agreed that we weren’t caught between worlds; instead, we were shaping our own paths, defining what it means to live authentically in both.

As I finished  her look, it was clear that this was more than just makeup—it was a reflection of her strength, her identity, and the path she’s blazing for Indigenous women. Aly’s candidacy symbolizes breaking down barriers, and in that moment, I felt honored to be part of her journey, supporting her in a way that showcased both her cultural pride and contemporary power.

Moments like these remind me why I do what I do. Through fashion and makeup, I help women express the full spectrum of who they are—traditional, modern, powerful, and unapologetic. We’re not confined to any one space; we create our own.

If you have an event or story ideas you can reach me via email at coterobin005@gmail.com