The Nippising First Nation reserve in northern Ontario is a long way from the Marc Jacobs-owned book shop Bookmarc in New York City, as author Christian Allaire understands more than most. Celebrating the release of “From the Rez to the Runway: Forging My Path in Fashion,” Allaire said growing up on that reservation, he dreamt of working in fashion, but he never thought that he would get to a place where he would work in the field.
Now a senior writer at Vogue, who specializes in indigenous fashion, Allaire signed the biopic for guests, including some who marked the occasion with a little Champagne. Condé Nast’s Anna Wintour buzzed by the crowded West Village shop to show her support. As for how Allaire established a foothold in Manhattan’s media field, the author said, “Honestly, it was a little bit of delusion. I just always knew I wanted to be here and work here. And I thought I belonged here. Somehow believing that helped to get me here. With hard work and perseverance, I somehow got here.”
Growing up on the reservation, the writer was inspired by the fashion that he saw going to powwows. His sister, who was a jungle dress dancer, also sharpened his focus, since the designs she wore were so colorful and symbolic with “drawn-out” stories. “That showed me that fashion is colorful and meaningful,” he said.
Model Irina Pantaeva was among the style setters in the crowd. Designers Chris Habana, Elena Velez, Siying Qu, Jontay Kahm and Jamie Okuma were on hand. Actor Liev Schreiber also dropped by the event that was hosted by Kelly Cutrone, as did Anna Delvey and Constance White. Delvey, whom many know from the Netflix series “Inventing Anna,” which was inspired by her escapades as a phony European heiress that led to jail time, is considering starting her own fashion label. Having recently moved back to Manhattan from upstate New York, Delvey, who birth surname is Sorokin, said she is in talks about that prospect. The former “Dancing with the Stars” competitor said she is also still dealing with U. S. Customs and Immigration Services-related legal issues.
Habana, who has worked with Zendaya and Beyoncé, Doja Cat and Rihanna, is mulling over doing a show in September. Now based in a Chinatown studio, he has quietly been working on his own since 2008. While he and a few of the other designers talked shop on the sidewalk about the challenges of staying independent, when retailers want to commoditize them for marketability. Another creative talent, Gina Oh, whose nail art can be seen on celebrities like Rihanna, was also at the party.
Gina Oh
Courtesy Photo
Pantaeva showed off her signature runway walk on Bleecker Street. She also reminisced about how years ago, while en route to a job interview for a nanny position in Paris, she wound up at a Chanel model casting and talked her way into a face-to-face meeting with the luxury house’s then-designer Karl Lagerfeld. Within days she walked in her first runway show, opening Chanel.
Just back from Paris Fashion Week, Pantaeva said she told Rick Owens after his show, “‘Thank you for bringing me back to my planet.’ He said, ‘Welcome to the family.’ So I have a new family now.”
Habana and Velez also spoke of the strength that can be found in camaraderie. Velez said she has been thinking about having a young designer support group “where we just meet up for a potluck to just commiserate and be trauma-bonded, and share secrets.”
Habana said he has followed some of the rules of fashion, but he tends to not follow them. “That’s very much why I am about being on my own. I think that’s healthy,” he said.
Earlier Allaire said Wintour’s support meant everything to him, since working at Vogue and writing about indigenous fashion for the media outlet was not something he ever imagined. “She’s been a huge part of helping me to do that,” Allaire said.
Acknowledging how DEI pillars are in jeopardy under President Donald Trump’s administration, Allaire emphasized the importance of supporting BIPOC fashion designers and creatives now, especially indigenous ones. “We’re one of the most unrecognized groups in fashion right now. I really want to keep writing about them,” Allaire said.
