Original story from APTN National News: http://aptn.ca/news/2015/06/30/canadian-metis-artist-collaborates-fashion-powerhouse-valentino-2016-collection/
A Valentino dress from the Resort 2016 collection. (Photo
source: Valentino)
Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) citizen Christi Belcourt’s art has gone from the National Gallery, across the Atlantic and to Italy, inspiring nine pieces in fashion company Valentino’s Resort 2016 collection.
Belcourt is an award-winning Métis visual artist whose work is displayed in the Canadian Museum of Civilization, the Art Gallery of Ontario, Parliament Hill and many other prestigious galleries.
She was contacted several months ago by Valentino representatives and informed they were interested in working with her.
Resort 2016 features 82 different pieces and Belcourt’s art piece Water Song, which is found in the National Gallery in Ottawa, inspired the embroidery for several outfits.
After being contacted, Belcourt did some research about the fashion company and felt reassured by what she learned.
“The number one thing to me is always, not only how we’re treated as Indigenous peoples, but how is the environment treated,” Belcourt stated in an article by APTN National News.
“I was really pleased and surprised that Valentino is ranked number one by Greenpeace for all top fashion designers. They have built into their company environmentally and socially conscious steps and they’ve also committed to eliminate all hazardous materials by the year 2020.”
The collection was revealed in mid-June and Belcourt stated it was a very good experience.
“It’s just been wonderful to work with (Valentino) all around,” she added. “They were extremely respectful.”
The Resort 2016 collection can be seen here, with Belcourt’s work featured in Looks 2 to 10: http://www.style.com/slideshows/fashion-shows/resort-2016/valentino/collection/1