The Manitoba designer breaking barriers to create traditional Indigenous clothing

Tyler Moody is pictured in this supplied image. (Tyler Moody)

A Manitoba designer is honouring his culture and defying gender stereotypes through the creation of traditional Indigenous fashion.

Tyler Moody, 28, is a fashion designer and youth advocate from Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation, also known as Nelson House.

The Rocky Cree designer’s journey began six months ago while working as a cultural support worker for a non-profit Indigenous organization. When Moody, who had never used a sewing machine before, created a ribbon skirt as part of this job, he discovered a newfound talent.

“It took me about four hours to make my first ribbon skirt, and it was beautiful. I was very impressed. Everyone else was impressed,” he said.

“I’ve never seen a man sew before, so I’m happy I’m able to take this role to make these designs and create something that you don’t see coming from a man.”

Though Moody’s career in fashion has only just begun, he’s already making an impact and inspiring those around him.

Where it began

Moody’s story begins in northern Manitoba—more than 800 kilometres away from his current home of Winnipeg.

He said he grew up in the bush, where he hunted, fished and spent time out on the land.

However, Moody’s childhood involved many hardships as well, as he was exposed to alcoholism and drug use. He also had to help raise his siblings from a young age.

“It was very hard growing up. It was challenging to even try to get to school or things like that,” he said.

“But I always pushed my siblings. I always made sure that they ate and things like that… I risked a lot growing up, but I was grateful enough that I was able to make it happen.”

Despite these challenges, Moody was able to break these generational cycles and move away from his community, even spending some time living in South Korea.

He said his upbringing contributed to his success because it showed him that anything is possible no matter what you’ve been through.

“I decided to break those cycles and those intergenerational traumas and just healing, not just myself but a whole generation—a new generation for my Moody side of my family,” he said.

What he creates

In his first six months as a designer, Moody has been making ribbon skirts—a cultural garment for Indigenous women that represents identity, heritage and strength.

His design process involves picking out a fabric and colours, creating cutouts and layouts, and sewing it all together. Moody said each skirt takes him a few hours, depending on the details and sizing.

“The more ribbons you add, the more work that is,” he said.

“The bigger it is, the harder it is. It just depends on how big you want it.”

Moving forward, Moody wants to expand his offerings to traditional menswear, as well as regalia and jingle dresses.

Why he loves to design

Moody said his love for sewing and design comes from its therapeutic nature.

He added the work helps to stop him from overthinking and calms him down.

“Just seeing a finished product that I made with my own hands really helps me see the visions that I see for my future self, and it really does inspire me to make these pieces,” he said.

Moody, who has a TikTok following of more than 110,000, said he also enjoys the way his work is able to impact and inspire others. He noted he’s received plenty of positive feedback and is proud to be representing his culture across the world.

“I pretty much made my own journey, my own life story, within these years, and I’m grateful that I was able to share it across Turtle Island… No matter where I am in this world, I will always represent where I came from.”

Spotlight from Marshall Fabrics

Moody was recently spotlighted as part of Marshall Fabrics’ designer feature, which aims to celebrate those who shop at the store.

Marshall Fabrics retail manager Erin Kembel said local designers like Moody make up the bulk of the store’s customers and help to sustain the retailer’s success.

 She added that they wanted to feature Moody because they are impressed by the work he is doing.

“We just loved what he is doing to celebrate his community and the work he was doing and just how ambitious he is,” she said.

Currently, Moody’s receiving lots of orders, including people wanting him to make them wedding dresses.

“[My work] started off very little. I did not know what I was doing, but I started getting better and better every month,” he said. “People have seen how much I have grown within the six months I’ve now been sewing.”