Local designer vies for big award
Karoniénhawe Diabo has travelled the world sharing renowned designs from her brand, She Holds The Sky Designs. But she says she has never formally been nominated for an award for her work - until now.
“I just feel really proud of myself, because I’ve never really had this opportunity before,” Diabo said.
Diabo this week found out that she is a finalist for the Indigenous-Owned Company Distinction Award, presented by Logistik Unicorp, a company that supplies uniforms for various industries.
The winner will be announced at a gala that will be held at the Plaza Theatre in Montreal on December 3.
“It’s a black-tie event, so I’ll be able to dress up and go and network, and I think it’s going to be a really fun time,” Diabo said.
As a designer, Diabo is particularly excited about picking out an outfit for the event, and she’s thinking of wearing something from her own collection for the evening.
“It’s a busy time right now, but I think I’m going to whip something up,” she said.
Diabo first heard about the award thanks to Jason Picard-Binet, who owns moccasin brand Bastien Industries. Picard-Binet, who is Huron-Wendat, worked with Diabo on the Indigenous Fashion Show as part of Montreal Fashion Week back in September, and the two are part of the Indigenous Fashion Collective that sprung from that show.
“He suggested I apply for this award and mentioned that he thinks I’ve paid my time in the fashion industry and that it would be great to be recognized for all the work I’ve done,” she said.
“I’m just really excited to even be invited because it’s a big thing to be recognized for the work that you do.”
Diabo said she had to share a little about her brand and her achievements as part of the application, and submitted a portfolio of her work.
“I just kind of said ‘Look, we’ll see what happens, it’s not a big deal if I don’t get it,’” she said. “But once I got the email for it, I was really happy about it.”
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There isn’t a public shortlist of finalists for the award, but Diabo said she knows of one other Indigenous creator she has worked with in the past who is also a finalist. She said she’s delighted to be able to share the stage with other Indigenous designers.
“It’s really cool that up-and-coming Indigenous designers are being recognized, and it’s just the beginning of seeing more things happening for our Indigenous designer community,” she said.
