Eighteen designers from across Inuit Nunagat have been selected to take part in the second edition of Canada Goose’s Project Atigi. Each designer created one-of-a-kind parkas for their contribution to Project Atigi (“atigi” means “parka” in Inuktitut), which will be sold through Canada Goose with proceeds returning to Inuit communities through Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami.
90 parkas were made in total by this year's participating designers, which include: Blanche Winters, Freda Raddi, Lena Unalena Kotokak, Lisa-Louie Ittukallak, Sarah Samisack, Elizabeth Ningeongan, Olivia Tagalik, Bessie Tologanak Beasley, Emily Joanasie, Parniga Akeeagok, Chantel Kablutsiak, Jean Kigutikakjuk, Stephanie Pitseolak, Chesley St. John, Mary-lee Sandy-Aliyak, Eileena Arragutainaq, Mary-Lain Siusangnark and Alaana Tatty. Said Tatty, “knowing someone out there, around the world, will own one of my parkas makes me nervous—and excited. I think I’ll feel so proud.”
This is the second round of parkas developed through the project, which uses Canada Goose’s global platform to showcase the extraordinary craftsmanship and unique designs of Inuit women, leveraging the exposure to create social entrepreneurship opportunities.
From left to right, parkas by Chesley St. John, Freda Raddi, Emily Joanasie, Olivia Tagalik and Sarah Samisack
Each artist received a standard kit of materials containing Canada Goose Arctic Tech fabric, fur for trimming and fixings like lining and zippers, intended as a jumping off point for their designs. Each designer then created a collection of five jackets which reflected their heritage, communities and artisanship. The results include parkas both long and short, with ruffles, stripes, embroidery and applique that uniquely reflect each participant.
The artists each took different approaches to their designs. “I was inspired by how [the women in my family] created things,” says Parniga Akeeagok, of Iqaluit, NU, whose black parka features stripes on the cuff and hem with embroidered seams at the bust and fur pompoms on the hood ties. Olivia Tagalik’s parka has a rounded high-low hem with white quilting peeking out from the coat’s black exterior and red patches across the shoulder lapels. Tagalik, who is from Kangingliniq (Rankin Inlet), NU, said “it’s each of our responsibility to learn as much as we can and ensure that it’s passed down to the next generation.”
Eileena Arragutainaq, who also participated last year, says sewing provides an escape from the everyday. “When I sew, I feel like I’m in my own world, with absolutely nothing to worry about.” After seeing her design last year, a local school offered her a job teaching sewing skills. Her parka for this second edition has parallel red and white stripes running across the bust, with exaggerated shoulders for comfort.
The Project Atigi 2020 collection, which includes men's and women's styles, will be showcased in select Canada Goose stores across North America and Europe, and available for purchase on canadagoose.com or by contacting [email protected] beginning January 23, 2020.
From left to right, parkas by Blanche Winters, Chantel Kablutsiak, Eileena Arragutainaq, Stephanie Pitseolak and Parniga Akeeagok