Congratulations to Inuvialuit artist, Erica Joan Lugt of Inuvik, who was chosen along with 11 other students, to participate in the 2021 National Fur Design Competition. The National Fur Design Competition encourages young designers to develop innovative ways to work with fur, and to explore its versatility and sustainability.
Photo: Erica designs
Participants are invited to create fur pieces that the “20 something” generation would enjoy wearing. Ms. Lugt was one of 12 students selected by four influential judges from across the country. The judges included international model and spokesperson Stacey McKenzie, celebrity stylist Shea Hurley, and Indigenous designers Sage Paul and the NWT’s own Dene Designer, D’Arcy Moses.
The 12 winning students will receive travel, accommodations, and a week-long intensive fur design workshop at Toronto’s Ryerson University, where they will explore a range of new techniques for working with fur, one of the most versatile and sustainably produced natural clothing materials. Fur Harvesters Auction and a member of the Canada Mink Breeders Association generously donated the furs for this workshop.
The competition was coordinated by the Fur Council of Canada (FCC), in cooperation with leading Canadian fur associations including the Seals and Sealing Network supported in part by ITI’s Fur and Arts Programs.
Photo: Erica Lugt, courtesy of NWT Arts