Breakout outerwear fashion designer Lindsay King, Saulteaux, Mohawk, and Ojibwe from Little Grand Rapids and Mississaugas of the Credit First Nations, made quite the debut with The Statement Collection, the first launch of her brand, earlier this month. Lindsay strategically teased photos of looks from her collection starting in March this year, where she built a following of fans and generated buzz for her namesake brand and upcoming drop. Already sold out, the mother, grandmother, social worker, and entrepreneur is now working on her next set of statement-making collections and designs.
Lindsay has been drawn to fabric and style lines since she was little. She was fascinated with how the fabric felt and looked and how it draped on the body. “I used to imagine how I would create a garment and where I would place the style lines, zippers, and buttons,” Lindsay explained. She was especially interested in leather. “The touch, feel, and smell of it reminded me of my Nohkum–my grandmother–who sewed and beaded leather garments, and my father, a pilot who wore leather flight jackets.”
Lindsay studied and practiced social work after high school for twenty years. However, Lindsay was interested in fashion and design, and although her career in social work was fulfilling, she dreamt every day of being in the fashion industry. “I did not think that studying Fashion Design was an option, as creative arts was not talked about or encouraged back in the 90s.” The lack of representation in the fashion industry also influenced Lindsay’s not pursuing her passion. “I did not see others, like myself, from the rez in the industry.” In the spring 2014, Lindsay resigned from social work and decided to study fashion design.
She started with a short 10-week course in Toronto at the sewing studio The Make Den, where she went from making a hair scrunchy to a jacket in a matter of weeks. She studied leatherwork and bag-making at Accademia Riaci in Florence, Italy, in 2015 and Fashion Design at The Toronto Film School and LaSalle College Toronto from 2015 to 2017. During this time, Lindsay met mentors and colleagues within the fashion industry who would help her bring her brand to life. What Lindsay learned while studying fashion design she applied to her debut collection. “My teachers emphasized the importance of fit, and brand loyalty is created through the fit of the garment,” she explained. “If a garment fits well, you’ll have repeat customers, and I spent months last year perfecting my patterns and the fit of The Statement Collection.” She also learned about industrial sewing machines and sewing techniques alongside handling and sewing with fabric and other supplies.
Growing up in Canada, Lindsay’s favorite time of the year was whenever it was the season for jackets, which she expresses are essential to an outfit. “As I got older, I realized that investing in a higher price point jacket would last me years. I also noticed that these jackets that I invested in not only made me feel amazing, but they were timeless styles that continued to bring me compliments year after year.” Lindsay learned to choose a niche, determine a target market, choose price points, and how to market. “There was no doubt that when my teachers advised me to choose a niche when launching my own label, it would be outerwear.”
Nature inspires Lindsay’s color choices, like the vibrant hues in a sunrise or sunset and the rich shades seen in the landscape during a hike. The skyscrapers of Toronto, New York City, and other city architecture influence her design lines. Lindsay applies her culture and upbringing to her craftsmanship in addition to designing with intention and offering products that are essential, timeless, and made to last. “I grew up around women who beaded and did leather work. These women were entrepreneurs from the Rez who designed with intention and offered essential products–leather hats, mitts, moccasins–that were not only beautiful but made to last.”
Lindsay’s debut collection was The Statement Collection and featured four jackets in timeless silhouettes, wool fabric woven by Pendleton® Woolen Mills, Lambskin leather, luxurious kasha and bemberg linings, silver metal RIRI zippers, and genuine horn buttons. “It’s a jacket that makes a statement no matter what you’re wearing,” Lindsay explained the collection on her website. “It speaks before you do, catching people’s attention and leaving them no choice but to adorn you with compliments.” Each piece is hand-crafted with the intention of being passed down through generations.
The positive support Lindsay has received so far is heartwarming and encouraging. “I’m grateful that I can pursue my passion, and my hope through my brand is that I’m able to inspire others to pursue their dreams as well.” She’s currently working on future collections offering different price points and men’s styles and fits with different materials. “The Statement Collection will be the only collection within my brand to feature wool fabric woven by Pendleton® Woolen Mills. Future collections will see a variety of leathers, denim, and wools in classic silhouettes.”
IG @ lindsayking.co
Website @ https://www.lindsayking.co/
