Runway Report: Ay Lelum Showcased at Global Fashion Collective Showcase at NYFW Despite Warehouse Fire

Ay Lelum The Good House of Design took New York City by storm as sisters Aunalee Boyd-Good and Sophia Seward-Good, in collaboration with their family, presented their captivating new collection at New York Fashion Week. The sisters showcased their Spring/Summer 2022 line.

Despite having a devastating fire that destroyed their warehouse and almost all of their stock on August 27, just weeks before their NYFW appearance, the brand forged ahead to showcase their newest collection on the runway. The shared traditional Coast Salish art through garment design and runway storytelling in a meaningful way.

According to the sisters, traditionally, Coast Salish carvers, textile artists, and musicians documented oral history through Hul’q’umi’num art, which is a complex visual literary system. “This was also done with Hul’q’umi’num language through oral storytelling and song,” they explain. “Our approach to the runway is no different, we are carving out history through textile arts and music, sharing both a creation story and documenting our present times with hope and healing for the future.” Through garment design, artwork, and modern remixes of our music, they are storytellers, sharing their family story of wolves – Stqeeye’, becoming the First Peoples’ through modern applications on textiles, such as rich fur-like velvets and flowy fabrics. “We transform from nudes and flesh tones representing creation and we reflect the happenings of our times through oranges and into reds. The showcase also features the Coast Salish Eye of Life, the center of all our consciousness that transcends time.” This design represents the emergence of new life and new beginnings, and the collection represents transformation and resilience.

In the Coast Salish traditions, we are to leave each other in a good way, which is why the sisters ended their showcase with a happy song that was passed on by their great grandfather William Good. “As we sing with our Father, we leave you with positive thoughts for healing that represent resilience, new life, and change.” The music was recorded with four generations of the Good family, with William Good, Sophia, Aunlaee, Liam Seward-Good, Madyson Harris, Ella Harris, Ava Harris, and Holly Harris. The song was remixed by Rob the Viking and is to be released on major streaming platforms soon.

Accessories for the showcase are by Giggy’s Beads Boutique.

GLOBAL FASHION COLLECTIVE (GFC), is a platform supporting creative designers from around the world. The collective produces runway shows in different fashion capitals with the aim to accelerate the designer’s global development, increase their international media visibility, and open new markets. Global Fashion Collective is an expansion from Vancouver Fashion Week, presenting its designers in front of international media and buyers globally. At New York Fashion Week, a diverse line-up of hand-picked talent from around the world will showcase their designs.