Saskatchewan

Hillary Ryder wins Sask Fashion Week's first Indigenous Designer Bursary

A 21-year-old self-taught seamstress and beader has won Sask Fashion Week’s first-ever $2,500 bursary for an Indigenous designer.

21-year-old awarded $2,500 and showcase on SFW runway

Hillary Ryder says she'll use her prize money to invest in a new mannequin. (Madeline Kotzer/CBC News)

Hillary Ryder has been creating beautiful things since she was a little girl.

She recalls sketching often and mixing acrylics and watercolours to experiment with paint on cardboard as a child. It wasn't long before she asked her father to buy her canvas — and he did.

Ryder discovered her interest in fashion design as a 16-year-old, while casually modelling for Indigenous designers in Regina.

"It looked like art to me," Ryder said of the work she was modelling.

Hillary Ryder (centre) with models wearing her clothes. (Hillary Ryder Designs/Facebook)

"I thought 'I love fashion and I love art so I could combine them together and create my own couture dresses.'"

Now, at age 21, Ryder is a self-taught seamstress and beader.

"I get inspiration from my Assiniboine background," she said. "I love the patterns and shapes."

Ryder said each piece she creates takes months to complete. Her dedication has turned heads in Saskatchewan's fashion world.

Ryder said her work is inspired by her Assiniboine heritage. She taught herself to bead over the course of a couple months with the help of internet tutorials and books from the library. (Hillary Ryder Designs/Facebook)

Embraced by Sask. Fashion world

Recently, Ryder was awarded Sask Fashion Week's first-ever Indigenous Designer Bursary.

"SFW recognizes the significant importance of Indigenous culture and history in our province and we believe that Indigenous designers and artists play a crucial role in bringing the event to life," said Chris Pritchard, president of Sask Fashion Week.

The award includes $2,500 cash and a chance to showcase work on the annual event's runway.

Ryder said she will use the money to buy a new mannequin to help map out her designs.

"It will help me adjust sizes, make different sizes for different shapes," said Ryder.

"I usually use myself as a mannequin."

Hillary Ryder poses in the first dress she ever created. Ryder said this piece took about six months to finish and she modelled the design for the dress off her own figure. (Hillary Ryder Designs/Facebook)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Madeline Kotzer

@MadelineKotzer

Madeline Kotzer is an award-winning Saskatchewan journalist and News Assignment Producer for CBC Saskatchewan and CBC Saskatoon. Reach Madeline at [email protected].