Influenced by the lives and styles of women we admire, The Look was created to celebrate what the incredible women in our community are thinking, doing, and wearing. This week on The Look, we’re featuring mother-daughter duo, Paula Collins and Jasmyn Pingue. We chatted with Paula and Jasmyn about their modelling agency, Masala Model & Talent, their personal style, as well as their advocacy for racial equality. They inspire us with their authenticity, bold sense of style and passion for uplifting young women and girls.
"We’re strongly passionate about developing our talent to bring out their best qualities and managing their careers on a local, national and international level."
What interested you in owning a model agency?
PAULA: My modelling agent moved from Saskatoon, SK to Whiterock, BC to expand her agency. There was a lot of projects left in Saskatoon that needed talent for bookings. I wanted to continue a legacy that was established in our province and beyond.
What advice would you give to women wanting to start their own journey with entrepreneurship?
PAULA: Always follow your dreams, research, be bold in taking a leap. Not everyone will support you so be ready to take on tasks alone and continue to believe in yourself. Be ready for disappointments, keep going, you got this!
JASMYN: Start with what brings you joy, passion, and fulfilment. Having a great support system for encouragement and advice is wonderful to have. It’s extremely important if you are proceeding alone, and never stop rooting for yourself. Everyone deserves a life that brings you success. You’re special and amazing!
"Stand proud of your accomplishments no matter how big or small they may seem."
What’s it like running a business as a mother/daughter duo?
PAULA/JASMYN: We enjoy working together and we have a great relationship. At times we need space from each other to decompress; then we come back more rejuvenated. Having the creative freedom to express ourselves and cohesively work in the fashion, fine arts, and entertainment industry with endless opportunities is truly phenomenal! We’re strongly passionate about developing our talent to bring out their best qualities and managing their careers on a local, national and international level.
Not only are we like-minded, but we also share the same birthday!
How would you describe your personal style?
PAULA: For work, stylish coordinates that have some colour and accent my curves. For casual, anything that flows.
JASMYN: My style consists of a variety of eclectic styles with a creative personal touch. I love a great statement shoe!
We both love freedom and comfort that is fashionable. It’s important to be your own individual outside of following trends.
"I believe jewellery is a creative reflection of your personal style."
Why do you think jewellery is important in completing an outfit?
PAULA: Jewellery always brings life to an outfit. It makes a statement that is personal to you that can be memorable and timeless.
JASMYN: I believe jewellery is a creative reflection of your personal style. Simple as styling a black dress instantly enhances and boots your self-esteem.
What fashion advice would you give to your younger self and why?
PAULA: Always start with the basics then add on pieces to expand your wardrobe. You are fierce and amazing, be your authentic self, because there is no one like you.
JASMYN: The best fashion advice I’ve been given is: “dress the way you want to be addressed." Confidence is key! You can quickly lose your poise if you’re not comfortable in what you’re wearing; the right clothing or garments can lend you the right attitude. The rest has to come within.
What life advice would you give to your younger self and why?
PAULA: Believe in yourself! This advice is from my parents and still holds true today for me: Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. PROVERBS 3: 5-6. This advice is life!
JASMYN: This has always been applied throughout my life…you are worthy, unique and loved. Always believe in yourself, never give up, you can achieve anything your hearts desire. You deserve it! Stand proud of your accomplishments no matter how big or small they may seem. No matter what others say, stand true to your morals and ethics.
"As Black women, we have a responsibility to speak up for racism, injustice and inequality."
What social causes are you passionate about, and why?
PAULA/JASMYN: We are both passionate about building our community, Black Lives Matter and mentoring youth and young adults to strengthen their mental health and well being. We want a strong and unified community that brings people from all walks of life together in harmony. As Black women, we have a responsibility to speak up for racism, injustice and inequality. The youth and young adults need a safe environment and support without the stigmas of race, gender, bullying and abuse.
"We are both passionate about building our community, Black Lives Matter and mentoring youth and young adults to strengthen their mental health and well being."
What makes you feel empowered?
PAULA/JASMYN: Having a supportive family and knowing the hard work and dedication to the causes we’ve served have been rewarding. Giving gratitude each day and give thanks, to the most high. Without God, we would not be here to share this. Share your gift and true passions with the world, as you were put on this earth to make a difference. Lastly, be intentional and have control over what you do and stand for.
Click here to shop The Look.
@masalamodeltalent@jasmyn.naomirunwayWardrobe by Klassique Designs Snakeskin Sandals: Traxx Footwear
Writing: Carter Selinger
"Getting involved in this role was inspired by community members and the desire to take on a challenge where I’d be refocusing an organization to be the national youth-led 2SLGBTQ organization many young queer and trans people need."
We talked to Debbie Owusu-Akyeeah about her work as an Executive Director with the Canadian Centre for Gender & Sexual Diversity (CCGSD), some key moments in her childhood and adolescence that led her down this path of advocacy and activism, her time as a rugby player, and her earring-making hobby during the pandemic.
Has this kind of advocacy and activism work always been something you envisioned yourself doing?
Yes. Recently, I was sitting on a panel for Carleton university (where I did both my undergrad and my masters) and the panel was on alternative careers outside of academia. I told them the reason I moved to Ottawa at 18 years old was to get into a career where I was involved in advocacy and activism. Both from a public policy approach (like foreign affairs) but also feminist activism. I knew I needed to be in close proximity to where those decisions were happening. So that kind of inspired my academic journey and career trajectory. I moved here from the Toronto area so, it was a bit of a sacrifice (laughs) for the better of what I want to do. I’ve always been that teenage feminist. I was pretty outspoken in undergrad. I pushed where I could in a Catholic school in Brampton, Ontario. I think my rugby coaches and my teachers knew I’d probably be at the forefront of future protests. And they weren’t wrong. It’s always something I thought I’d be doing and it’s something I’m happy to be involved in now.
Were there any moments in childhood or adolescence that you look back on now as indications you’d be well-suited to this kind of work?
I developed really early. I got my period in grade 4, and I knew what had happened, but my mom’s immediate reaction was “Don’t tell anyone.” So I felt that periods were a shameful thing, and this was the complete opposite experience of my best friend at the time who grew up in a single-parent home and was the child of a feminist lesbian Latina woman from El Salvador. My friend’s first period was celebrated. She got roses and Oreo cookies. I’ll never forget that. It was such a stark contrast between her household and mine. I remember confronting my mom about (her reaction to my first period) after my first year of university and she was like, “I was just afraid that if you told people that they would harm you.” This was a reflection of how she grew up in western Africa where those moments—those physical changes in your body—are supposed to signify a coming of age and it meant something completely different. I look back on that time and it’s no surprise I ended up working at the women’s center during my undergrad, hosting feminist consciousness-raising groups and talks with people about alternative mentrual products to use. So if there was one moment that I think really marks that change for me, it was that.
"I knew what feminist leadership should look like—having been fortunate enough to work in organizations that had really good feminist leadership."
What about in terms of protesting? Did you have any moments related to that growing up?
I went to a Catholic school in Brampton where they made us wear uniforms. I think we were in grade 10 or 11. With this Catholic school once a month they had dress-down days—you could come to school and wear whatever you wanted. And Halloween, my favourite holiday, happened to land on the Friday we had dress-down day. The administration felt it would be appropriate to ban us from wearing halloween costumes because they were afraid of how rowdy we’d get. So I actually helped lead a protest with a bunch highschool students where we came into school wearing our Halloween costumes. I remember I was dressed as a vampire. I had contacts, fangs, and long nails. I’ll never forget it. It was almost like a badge of honour to be kicked out of class. We got CP24 (a local news network) to come in and interview students about it. I got kicked out of class because I pushed against what I felt was a foolish idea. After that, I think a lot of people were like, “Ok, this girl’s going to be doing something. Speaking truth to power, or engaging in some kind of civil disobedience.”
Could you tell me about how you got involved with the Canadian Center for Gender and Sexual Diversity? What kind of work do you do on a daily basis?
I saw the job posting and had a conversation with my partner about it. She was really encouraging. I know what this organization has meant to people I share community with, and people I consider friends here in Ottawa. I thought, “This organization is going to require someone who can really bring it forward.” I applied not knowing what was going to come of it, but it happened. I became an Executive Director at 28 years old, and it was an opportunity for me to package skills I’ve learned—from school where I was studying foreign policy, to my undergrad in women’s studies, to my political activism and my community care work. That experience helped me bring thoughtful leadership into this role. Getting involved in this role was inspired by community members and the desire to take on a challenge where I’d be refocusing an organization to be the national youth-led 2SLGBTQ organization many young queer and trans people need.
My day-to-day work is focussed on organizational change. Everything I do—whether it’s finance related, fundraising, day-to-day management with staff, being the spokesperson for the organization—all of it is centred on organizational change. This organization had the same leader for the last fifteen years before I came in. So I knew I was coming in with a very different set of expectations and understandings, and I knew what feminist leadership should look like—having been fortunate enough to work in organizations that had really good feminist leadership.
"A lot of queer folks have been using the term possibility model—a model of what is possible for you."
Intersectional feminism is one of the guiding principles of the CCGSD. Can you talk about the importance of intersectional feminism in your own life and why it’s so important to the CCGSD?
Whenever I have a conversation about intersectional feminism I have to remind people that intersectionality is a framework, and the term was coined by Black women and Black feminists. Historically, intersectionality was centred on naming the experiences of Black women who were navigating sexism, racism, and sometimes classism at the same time. As a framework, intersectionality is liberating for me because it allows me to analyse how the rest of the world impacts me—the vulnerabilities it might put me in—that might be different from a white woman, for example. As someone navigating homophobia, racism, sexism, and classism at the same time, I’ve had to think about decisions I’ve made differently and intersectionality allowed me to name that experience.
When it comes to our work at CCGSD, I like to say, oppression doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Homophobia is happening at the same time as Islamophobia and colonialism. In our work it would be a disservice to only name homophobia and transphobia while ignoring other different ways in which oppression impacts other 2SLGBTQ communities. The homophobia I’m going to experience is very much shouldered in being a Black person. I’ve heard things like, “Black people are more homophobic than anyone else.” If you apply an intersectional lens to a statement like that you end up finding out how convenient it is for white supremacy to talk about our people this way, and to position itself as inherently progressive. It was white supremacist colonialism that introduced very homophobic laws that are archaic and still practiced even in my own country. You have to name the different ways that oppression operates even in the 2SLGBTQ community; if you don’t, you risk further isolating community members who aren’t the more mainstream white, cisgender, gay, queer man.
You were a very accomplished rugby player in university. Did playing that tough sport prepare you in any unexpected ways for the work you do now?
Yes. If you speak to any person in women’s rugby (highschool, club, university etc.) they’ll all talk about how rugby is such an empowering sport in terms of how different body types are able to find a space (in the different positions). In other sports sometimes it doesn’t really translate the same way. I think for people who are socialized to not be rough, or to be ladylike, there is a joy that a rough sport like rugby can bring out for folks that is beautiful. I’ve made so many awesome connections and lifelong friendships because of this sport. It’s also made me a better leader. My first leadership opportunities were through rugby. I was the captain of the rugby team in high school. It taught me what it was like to represent a group of people, to be the person who is at the forefront of making sure collaboration is happening, and being the person who is cheerleading. I bring that same skillset with me today as someone who is leading an organization. I have to ensure we’re all on the same page, respect all the different skill sets we have, and cheer us on when we’re exhausted or going through a really rough time. Rugby has definitely helped me grow more confident, be a better leader, and be a better feminist.
"Rugby has definitely helped me grow more confident, be a better leader, and be a better feminist."
Who are some of your role models?
A lot of queer folks have been using the term possibility model—a model of what is possible for you. Laverne Cox talks about possibility models a lot specifically for young trans folks. For me, it’s important to find other Black women, but also women who are specifically from Ghana. Women who understand the challenges that come from a somewhat socially-conservative community that is entrenched in tradition. Being feminist or queer is sometimes frowned upon by our communities and elders. When I discovered Phyll Opoku-Gyimah—the executive director of Kaleidoscope UK and director of UK Black pride—I saw her name and I was like “That’s specifically our tribe. That’s an Akan name.” She’s a queer woman and significantly older than me and I was like, “Holy crap. This is what I wanted to see.” I wanted to see what I could possibly look like in 20 years. An example of how I could rock it with such beautiful fierceness. She’s the definition of a badass. Just like myself, she’s proud to be Ghanian, proud to be queer, and proud to be a lesbian. We actually connected because she shared a picture of a traditional Ghanian wedding, but it was a lesbian wedding. I commented on her Instagram and was like, “As a queer Ghanian this just makes me so happy to see.” We ended up following each other on Instagram. Then, through this role, last month a full circle moment happened—I was able to sit on a panel with her. I was fangirling her for years and then here I am sharing space with her as a Black women leader working on 2SLGBTQ rights. It was pretty awesome.
A lot of what you do seems to be in the spirit of empowering others. What does empowerment mean to you?
I know some people have feelings about the word empowerment. Empowerment is so much based on the individual. I can’t hold your hand and empower you. But I think you can play a role in fighting to change the conditions around someone that will allow them to be empowered. Also, if people look at me and see a potential possibility model and that empowers them, that’s something that I find really cool. Empowerment to me means being able to achieve a goal, or engage in an activity you may have originally thought you couldn’t do, but through the process—whether it’s accessing information, education, knowledge sharing—you are compelled to actually do that thing. You’re like, “You know what? I can do this. I shouldn’t have imposter syndrome. There’s no barrier in my way.”
"Empowerment to me means being able to achieve a goal, or engage in an activity you may have originally thought you couldn’t do."
The weather is getting nicer. Vaccines are rolling out. Are there any looks, outfits, or pieces of jewellery you’re looking forward to showing off when we’re officially allowed to start socializing again?
Yes I am! Lesbian earrings. It turns out Queer women and lesbians have somehow gravitated towards this trend of making earrings out of anything. It’s like this weird form of coding for your queer life. I have miniature ketchup earrings, mini pencils, miniature shopping cart earrings. Through quarantine and the pandemic I have just been making earrings. I have like over 300 different pairs of earrings that I’ve either purchased or made myself. They’re a great way to express my style while working remotely, and I always have a fun time when I see people’s reactions to my earrings. Our lockdown in Ontario has been especially hard and long so I’m really excited to show off my collection of earrings.
Writing: Carter Selinger
Paulette Senior is the President and CEO of the Canadian Women's Foundation.
In 2016, Paulette joined the Canadian Women’s Foundation as President and CEO after a decade serving as CEO of YWCA Canada. She is a nationally recognized thought-leader on gender equity, women’s empowerment and leadership. We talked with Paulette about her crucial work with CWF, the effects of the pandemic on gender-based issues, great literature for understanding our times, and how tights are a big help in this moment.
"We want to provide women, vulnerable women, girls, and gender-diverse folks with the support they need to thrive."
Can you talk a little bit about your work with The Canadian Women’s Foundation?
I’m privileged to be a part of the Canadian Women’s Foundation. It’s been an incredible institution within the women’s sector. We’re actually celebrating our 30th anniversary this year. We raise money and fund organizations that are doing grassroots work around various aspects of gender equality. We combat gender-based violence, support women’s economic prosperity, address skill-building needs, support girl’s confidence and self-esteem, and help girls combat negative messaging they receive about their bodies and abilities. We also promote women’s leadership in various aspects of society. So those are the main areas where we try to raise money and acquire grants. Doing that for thirty years has really been a mission of the Canadian Women’s Foundation. One of our founding mothers was the late but great Rosemary Brown from Vancouver, and one of her infamous sayings is “Until all of us have made it, none of us have made it.” We approach our work with an intersectional lens, a gender-based analysis lens, and a social justice lens. We want to make sure all of us have the opportunity to make it, to fulfill our goals and missions. We also make sure Indigenous women, Black women, and racialized women have a voice through the work we do. Our work is fueled by committed folks like Hillberg & Berk. Companies and individuals who recognize that investing in gender equality benefits all of us, and their generosity feeds into the generosity we’re able to provide. We see these as critical investments.
What do your days look like? And what do you find rewarding about this work?One of the things I like about this work is I don’t have a typical day. My personality doesn’t align very well with routine (laughs). I like doing a bunch of different things that contribute toward the same goal. For example, today I just got off a phone call with the advisory committee for the charitable sector. That’s a government-appointed committee that I sit on to look for ways and means to address barriers that might prevent charitable organizations from doing their work effectively. That could be through policies, or regulations that need to be changed. I try to reduce those barriers and make it easier for organizations to serve their communities. That’s an example of a policy table. I also sit at other policy tables that develop and create plans for gender equality, or strategies to end gender-based violence in Canada. I like that. That’s an important part of the work because it’s systemic. I also do a lot of media interviews. As we approach International Women’s Day, interviews become more frequent. Tomorrow I’ll be doing a national syndication for CBC radio. My work is also about setting the strategic priorities, visions, and goals for the foundation. Making sure we’re not just setting those goals but always aligning our work towards the mission and vision of achieving gender equality. I spend a lot of time with my colleagues and senior leadership team figuring out our path forward—whether that is budgeting, checking in to make sure everyone within the organization is ok, and doing a lot of virtual events.
"We’ve proved ourselves as conveners, supporters, and critical voices for the women’s sector, the gender equality sector."
The pandemic has increased gender inequality in a few areas. We’re seeing women disproportionately encounter job loss and economic pressure, there’s been increased gendered violence, and women are also more likely to be exposed to stressful, dangerous conditions on the frontlines. Can you talk about what CWF is doing to lessen the burden of these rising inequalities?
I don’t think there has been a time like this in a long time. The pandemic has really had a negative impact. We’ve been responding to the gendered impact of the pandemic in multiple ways. At the grassroots level we’ve worked hard to get emergency funding to organizations that serve women, girls, and gender-diverse people in communities throughout the country. Some of these organizations are shelters, some are sexual assault centers, others are organizations that provide services to women living in low income. We’ve worked hard and out of that work (and our partnership with the government) we’ve been able to secure over 30 million dollars that we’ve distributed to organizations across the country. It’s an emergency response to the pandemic. We’re still in the throes of distributing that money, but we’ve proven to ourselves, the government, and others that this is a critical role for us to play as The Candian Women’s Foundation. We’ve proved ourselves as conveners, supporters, and critical voices for the women’s sector, the gender equality sector.We’ve also done a couple of things to rebuild after the pandemic. We know that Canada needs to have a fundamental shift. So what we’ve said is “Normal was not good for everyone.” It wasn’t very good for Indigenous folks, for Black and racialized folks, for gender-diverse people, and trans folks. So we’ve created some papers in collaboration with other women’s organizations that focus on resetting normal. Instead of going back to normal we’d like to create a new normal where everyone can thrive, and work toward ensuring policies are reset. We want to provide women, vulnerable women, girls, and gender-diverse folks with the support they need to thrive. What are the things we need? A livable wage, affordable and accessible childcare, response to community need, affordable housing in every part of this country but especially for vulnerable groups, and we need the wage gap to be addressed. The wage gap continues to be an issue. We need to address issues around leadership, and when we talk about women’s leadership we’re talking about the spectrum of women so all women can have opportunities to lead as they wish to do so. In the spring and summer we were able to pivot quickly and raise emergency dollars which brought a lot of new folks to the work of the foundation, and then we were able to distribute those dollars. But as we go forward, as the vaccine gets distributed and the virus recedes, and we start to think about recovery—what does recovery look like? We want folks to work with us, to engage with us, to support the kind of recovery that benefits all of us, and we ask that folks will go to our website because we’re focussed on investing in gender justice. We also ask people to send letters to their government representatives to invest in three key areas that will make an impact for women, girls, and gender-diverse people as we recover from the pandemic.
"Instead of going back to normal we’d like to create a new normal where everyone can thrive, and work toward ensuring policies are reset."
Who have you drawn inspiration from recently?I would say that it’s not one person. If I look from BC to Newfoundland, I see these amazing women who are leading the public health response to the pandemic. I am so lifted and inspired by them because it’s the first time we’ve seen women’s leadership shine for all Canadians to see, and at one of the most critical times in our lives over the past hundred years. There has really been a tremendous display of women’s capacity to lead us through such a stressful time and keep us safe during a pandemic. So I would say all those women are an inspiration. The women who are visibly leading and keeping track of our progress, and encouraging us to be kind, and being calm in their delivery of these messages every single day. But I’m also inspired by the women who are not as visible but still working just as hard because we depend on the essential services they provide that we need to survive. It’s not one woman, it's these women we see and know and also the ones we don’t see and don’t know who are working so hard behind the scenes. Say you could choose a short (mandatory) reading list for adults in Canada, what books would you put on it? Why? Books have become even more important to me lately. Whether I’m walking, need a change of pace, or just something to help me fall asleep. All of the above have become very important in terms of the books I choose to read. I don’t think I’ve done enough of that over the years but the pandemic has really shown me what I’ve been missing. In my organization we have taken on a knowledge-building journey on the issues we are addressing around justice and equality. There are a couple of books that we read, discussed, and learned about with each other. One is called Decolonizing Wealth by Edgar Villanueva. It’s a great book that is so pertinent to the work we are doing within the philanthropic space. And the other one is So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo, which is another great book to take on now because—as the Black Lives Matter movement and the Indigenous rights movement and other equality movements have taken the stage over the past year—it’s important to take on some learning. Sometimes it gets a little tiring to be the source of knowledge for folks. It’s important that we take personal responsibility around our own learning and then have conversations. So those are the two books I’d recommend. One is about my organization and the other is really about talking about race, and not being afraid to talk about race. Are there any great books for kids you’ve found that help introduce ideas of gender inequality? Or gender diversity? I love this question. On our website we have a list of books that we recommend. There’s one called Little People Big Dreams (ages 5-8) that’s a good one. Another one I think a lot of girls would appreciate is Women in Science: 50 Fearless Pioneers Who Changed the World by Rachel Ignotofsky. That’s probably for pre-teens. There’s a good one for kids called, All Are Welcome, or there’s another one called Happy in Our Skin, which really gets to the issue of the intersection of race and gender. There’s another one called Just Ask, which encourages young people to ask the tough questions they may be troubled by. Then Girls Resist, which is about girls' activism and leadership, which are areas we work in. I also think Desmond Cole’s book, The Skin We’re In, which came out last year is always a good book to read.
If you could change (or eliminate) one policy or law in Canada what would it be?I think it’s more about enhancing and not necessarily about eliminating, and I think [the pandemic has shown] the critical need for a national action plan on gender-based violence. I believe it’s needed more now than ever because we’ve seen gender-based violence increase worrisomely during the pandemic. Quite frankly I shiver to think about what we’ll uncover as we come out of the pandemic. Folks have called it a shadow pandemic. As the pandemic grew the issues of gender-based violence increased along with it. So I’d love to see [an action plan] in place and I know that there's a commitment from the current federal government because I’m at the table for those conversations, which is important. I want to make sure that we see that through because it’s so critical. It’s really about saving lives.
How do you relax after a difficult day? Do you have any self-care practices that help you recharge and get ready for this important work? I find exercise is important to me, but I’m also finding it very important to be outside. I have never been a winter-loving person but this year I’ve appreciated dressing up as warm as possible and going for walks—to get some fresh air in my lungs. Sometimes I walk with a friend and we’re able to get caught up. I live alone so having company is important and being in conversation is important. And, yeah, exercise however I can get it. If I have to stay inside I have a bike that I use. When I had to cancel our meeting earlier—that was really about taking care of myself and my mental health. I realized I’d worked something like ten straight days and I needed a break. My body told me that. I think I also have to set an example within the organization. So it’s not just about physical health. It’s also about mental health. They affect each other. That’s an important thing to focus on. My day off made a world of difference; it rejuvenated my mindset. And I can tell you I haven’t done that in a long time [laughs]. And so I’m still celebrating two days after taking that day.
Are there any pieces of clothing or jewellery you find meaningful or empowering lately?Well, first of all, I was on the Hillberg & Berk website today and I ordered a couple of International Women’s Day pins. The Venus Pins. And they’re beautiful! They’re beautiful and inspiring so I’m awaiting their arrival. But I’d also like to say thank god for tights [laughs]. Thank God for that element in fashion where I can sit down and make sure my upper body is dressed for business but my lower body is as comfortable as ever. I’m finding that very empowering because at the end of the day it just allows me to completely unwind, yet feel comfortable and not have to be performative in any way.
No more pencils, no more books, no more teacher’s stylish looks? We beg to differ! This week on The Look, we’re featuring Holly Horvath. (You might know her as @teachme_style on Instagram.) We chatted with Holly about style, teaching, jewellery tips, influencing, and her passion for helping solve food insecurity in Regina. Holly’s pursuits often intertwine and influence one another in a way that makes it easy to see why she's so influential as a teacher, lifestyle blogger, and passionate member of her community. Now get your pencils and notepads ready because school is back in session with Holly Horvath!
"When I am well educated on a particular subject and I get to speak about that it makes me feel empowered. I love feeling smart. I think knowledge is so classic, sexy, and never goes out of style."
H&B: As a lifestyle blogger a lot of people look to you for influence and inspiration, who do you look to for inspiration?
Like most people, I find inspiration from a variety of places: my friends and coworkers, people I follow on Instagram, magazines, etc. In fact, the other day I was at the grocery store and saw an outfit I loved so I went home and put it together on a hanger for the next day!!What’s the hardest but most rewarding thing about lifestyle blogging?
I would have to say the hardest thing is balancing full time teaching, blogging, and all the other things that life brings... relationships, family, friends, the dog, the gym, groceries... haha you get it! The most rewarding part hands down is the relationships I have built through the platform. I have been able to connect with people all over the world I would not have ever met — it's pretty special!
What’s the hardest but most rewarding thing about teaching?
This is a hard question there are so many highs and lows when it comes to teaching ESPECIALLY now. Like anything, there are more challenges with teaching now than ever but it also makes those 'aha' moments even better. Challenges include masks, social distancing, and essentially learning a new style of teaching to keep everyone including myself safe. The reward has not changed, for me teaching has always been about relationships with my students. Has lifestyle blogging helped you as a teacher in any unexpected ways? Or has teaching helped influence your blogging?
It actually has. It has allowed me to connect with so many other teachers! Connecting with other teachers means sharing resources and ideas — I am a big believer in collaboration over competition. I am ALL about sharing ideas and resources.
Do you talk to your students about your life outside teaching? If so, what do they think of it?
I don't — they will sometimes bring up my Instagram saying that their parents follow me but I just have the same response, "Oh, that's nice." How do you want people to feel when they look at your Instagram or blog?
It is important to me that people feel like I am relatable. I never want to portray that my life is perfect. I hope to inspire people but in a relatable way, if that makes sense.
Why is style still important during a pandemic?
I think style is a reflection of yourself and it's important not to lose that. It's easy to get into a slump but if you're going to, make sure it's a cute slump! Are there any social causes you’re passionate about?
Lately my eyes have been opened to the food insecurity in our city. I have been trying my best to donate what I can and help spread the word about the Regina Community Fridge.Can you share a hot jewellery tip with us?
Hmmmm, I would say that mixing metals is okay! So many people ask me if it's ok to do and I say yes!!
What makes you feel empowered?
Knowledge. When I am well educated on a particular subject and I get to speak about that it makes me feel empowered. I love feeling smart. I think knowledge is so classic, sexy, and never goes out of style.
"I’m a person who wears many hats. Some days you’ll catch me as an entrepreneur. Other days you’ll catch me as a daughter, a sister, or a student. If you boil it down, the common denominator is that I’m a person who is trying to do something bigger than herself, and to help other people."
In celebration of International Day of the Girl, we’re spotlighting social entrepreneur Mylene Tu. A management engineering student at the University of Waterloo, Mylene is also the co-founder and CEO of Lumaki Labs (formerly FEM in STEM), a startup that helps connect students and employers through virtual internships. We chatted with Mylene about her goals for the startup, the gender disparity in STEM (the combined fields of science, technology, engineering, and math), and why she loves to “put a ring on” her accomplishments.
H&B: What was the inspiration behind your startup, Lumaki Labs, and what are your goals with it now?
As a female in engineering, I realized early on that there was a big disparity in the number of boys versus girls. Even when I was putting myself out there, going to events and conferences, I didn’t see much representation in terms of women and young people. That sparked me to start my first venture, FEM in STEM, which was a social enterprise to help empower other young women and provide them with resources to succeed in STEM.
Then last year, I started Lumaki Labs. It’s an edtech startup that focuses on revolutionizing the future of work through virtual internships. As a student, internships are invaluable in terms of gaining real world experience and just figuring out what adulting is like! For myself and my peers, a lot of these opportunities have disappeared or been canceled because of covid. At Lumaki, we saw an opportunity to shine a light on how people provide experiential learning and create opportunities for students to work virtually and attain experiences they might not have access to otherwise. The platform we’re currently building is designed to help employers recruit and onboard interns virtually.
Is there a way that these virtual internships are more accessible to women?
As a young woman in STEM, you do hear those horror stories about tech bros and how your ideas can get drowned out in meetings. But in a virtual setting—especially in times like these—everyone is looking for new connections and a sense of community, which I think translates to increased opportunity for women, but also just all people, to speak out. Traditionally, people look for internships close to home because it’s hard to pay rent or commute a lot when you’re an intern, but when things are virtual, you can access opportunities outside your home town. It also gives employers a chance to reach different demographics of people and diversify their talent pools.
What do you think are some barriers that prevent women from becoming involved in STEM in the first place?
One of the biggest things is exposure. I grew up in Windsor, Ontario, and so I didn’t really have a lot of exposure when it came to STEM fields. I originally entered university in chemical engineering, then broke into the technology and business side of things. But I wouldn’t have been able to do that if I didn’t have the opportunity to try different internships and stuff like that.
Another barrier is the way people talk about STEM in general. There’s a big move towards empowering women in STEM, but I’m hopeful that one day we no longer have to emphasize the fact that there’s a gender disparity. I want it to become really normal for everyone to have equal access and resources. When I ran FEM in STEM, a lot of young women would ask, “How should I deal with any kind of discrimination from male peers?” But the number one thing I always said was that you shouldn't be thinking about how you’ll react or respond to that stuff—you should just be thinking about your own career path and your success.
Using our business model as a force of good, specifically in terms of female empowerment, is really important to us at H&B. What does being a social entrepreneur mean to you personally?
For me it means building things for good. My initial impression of business was that it was all men in suits trying to make money. But as a social entrepreneur, you’re working towards something bigger than yourself, not just for the money, but for the good of other people. And during tough times when business is difficult, it’s really nice to think back to your purpose and the potential impact you’re having on people. Social entrepreneurship also means doing business in a sustainable way. Because one thing I’ve learned from my previous work with FEM in STEM, and from other strong female entrepreneurs, is that you do need that revenue to help move your mission forward. That additional capital helps you do greater things.
What excites you about the world of technology?
Technology has always been confusing to me. It’s inter-rooted in our daily lives but we don’t often sit down to really think about how everything works. The not-knowing gravitates me to want to learn more. Trying to figure out how these systems work, why they have certain impacts on people, and what makes them effective—all of that interests me. Because it could be knowledge I can use to help impact other people positively.
How do fashion and accessories fit into your life? Do you use them mainly for self-expression, or for other reasons?
I use my jewellery for a few different reasons. If I’m going into a pitch or an important meeting, I like to wear jewellery because it makes me feel more confident even though it’s such a small touch. Another reason is accountability. I have a habit of buying rings, especially if I want to keep a promise to myself. I remember last year I bought a little knot ring that stood for a promise I made to myself. Also, for engineers in Canada, when you graduate you get an iron ring. The whole idea of getting that ring when I graduate has been really motivating and I guess that’s played into how I view other parts of my life. If something happens with my entrepreneurship, either something that I’m proud of or want to work towards, I’ll buy a piece of jewellery.
What does empowerment mean to you personally?
To me, it’s breaking free of your comfort zone in a way that only you can do. Often, with the way education is set up and the way people are raised, you just kind of wait for opportunities to come your way. You work hard because you think that getting your degree is going to guarantee you a job. But I think empowerment is being able to break free from the norm and push your own limits to define your own path. I think empowerment has a very unique meaning for each person that chases after it.
The answer to this may seem obvious, but I’m wondering if you can articulate why it’s so important to have more female representation in STEM? What are some of the tangible benefits to having this field be more diverse?
You really do need diverse perspectives in order to drive new ideas and innovations forward. Half the population is made up of women, so not having those perspectives at the table—it’s really an injustice when you’re designing products you want everyone to use. From a psychological and biological perspective, the way women think and act can be so different from men, and so to be able to have both voices present when you’re actually building something will ensure your business has twice the impact.
Writing: Mica Lemiski
Images: Supplied
Meet Kam Bahia: High school teacher, founder of I Am: H.E.R., a workshop program focussed on empowering teenaged girls, and one of the amazing women that inspired The Look. Influenced by the lives and styles of women we admire, The Look was created to celebrate what these incredible women are thinking, doing, and wearing. Featuring stylish chain pieces, these designs are inspired by real women in our community, like Kam, and we hope wearing them serves as a reminder to always embrace your own authentic look.
We asked Kam everything from how she incorporates these designs into her everyday style to why she feels it's important for brands to represent everyday women, and even her favourite skincare tips. Get to know her, and her bright personality, below!
H&B: What do you like most about wearing jewellery chains?Kam: They make me feel beautiful but with the minimalist, carefree look. They don’t take up much space on my skin, they don’t overshadow my entire neck line, but yet somehow still make a loud, radiant statement. The dainty look is what I am drawn to; a gold or rose gold chain choker. I feel like the chain speaks for itself and for the woman wearing it, she says, “I am gentle, I am kind, but look out world, I do indeed shine!!!” And the world NEEDS our unique glow! What outfit (clothes and accessories) makes you feel most like yourself?High-waisted jeans or pants and just a plain white T-shirt with sneakers. I grew up playing soccer, so I am most comfortable in sneakers. And as for accessories, a single dainty chain choker and dainty rings. When it’s time for a girls night out, I will substitute my sneakers for platform sneakers to really take it up a notch! Why do you think it’s important for brands to feature everyday women as models? The appeal of the real, is SO real. In a world that is evolving every single day, with that comes the evolution of the word, “beauty." I think we are in a time that we have to learn to redefine the word “beauty." Models are used to promote a product, and they do so flawlessly. But I believe when you share “regular” customers wearing a product that they love and willingly associate themselves with that brand, those images just breed an organic, and just as flawless, image and feeling of beauty. It’s just a natural extension of marketing, but it’s coupled with women who are believing in and supporting these brands because that brand makes HER feel beautiful. And truthfully, if a woman feels beautiful emotionally, spiritually, mentally, socially, and physically, she is literally unstoppable! What’s your wake-up ritual like?First foremost, I take time doing my daily devotional. Gets me in the right mindset. From there, I am ready to tackle the day. In my months off, I will head straight into a workout. For the months I am working, it's right into the shower and getting ready for work. On my drive to work, I drink a hot water with lemon and listen to my favourite podcasts. What’s your top skincare tip?Don’t cringe…but soap (hand soap or body soap bar) and warm water. Stems from my mother who was born and raised in India and that’s all they used and that’s how I was raised. Why break the generational routine, right?!It’s Sunday and you’ve got no plans. How do you fill your day?I put in quality time with my distant siblings, also known as Netflix, Crave, and Amazon Prime. Can’t have them feel too neglected!What’s something you’re obsessed with that most people aren’t?Herbal Essence shampoo and conditioner. Also, in saying that, I am also obsessed with showering. I take 2-3 showers a day, and I wash my hair everyday…sorry to all the hairstylists out there. You’re the founder of “I Am H.E.R.” Why is providing tools to support young women and build their confidence something you’re particularly passionate about?Every decision we make is rooted in our self-worth. Unfortunately, our youth are facing an epidemic of self-doubt. It is our responsibility as an older generation to nurture and empower the younger generations. I am dedicated to having young females realize their full potential through encouragement and self-belief. If we can cultivate positive change in our younger generations’ lives, they in turn will then model positive change to others around them. What ingredient do you use most in your cooking?Garlic powder!What advice would you give to girls or women struggling to make peace with their bodies? Is there a piece of wisdom that has helped you personally?Out of 7+ billion people in the world, not one other human being has the same body as you. Not one other woman in this world has the same curves as you, the same skin as you, the same smile as you. I have curves, I have a butt, but with that, comes cellulite and stretch marks. But I wouldn’t give up any of that to share the same figure with any other woman who is absent of those things. In fact, in order to have the butt I love so much, I had to get stretch marks and cellulite, so in a way, dare I say I'm actually thankful for those features. We truly are unique creatures. Our world NEEDS our uniqueness. Our uniqueness in our bodies, our shapes, our skin, our languages, and everything in between. Each woman’s uniqueness should be defined as perfection. Because there really is nothing else out there like it. There is no one else out there in this world like me or you, actually THINK about it, cling onto those words. THERE IS NO ONE IN THIS WORLD LIKE YOU!! How incredible is that?!
To honour Indigenous history and celebrate National Indigenous History Month, we’re spotlighting up-and-coming Indigenous artist and jewellery maker, Adrienne Larocque, and her brand Kihew and Rose.
Adrienne Larocque is a Nehiyaw Iskwew (Plains Cree Woman) from Maskwacis, Alberta, who lives, works, and creates on the traditional and unceded territories of the Coast Salish peoples (Vancouver). Along with working full-time as a program coordinator for the First Nations Technology Council (a BC-based non-profit that aims to make jobs in the tech sector more accessible to Indigenous people) she’s also the creator of Kihew and Rose, a line of handmade accessories created with traditional Indigenous materials such as home-tanned hides, animal bone, shells, and beads. Following the launch of her latest collection, Hillberg and Berk chatted with Adrienne about her journey to becoming a beader, how she’s using beadwork to reconnect with her culture, and why those cultural ties were lost in the first place.
Interview by Mica Lemiski
Hillberg & Berk: How did you land on the name “Kihew and Rose” for your jewellery business?
Adrienne Larocque: So my Cree name—given to me by my late grandfather, my Mosom —is Kihew Iskwew, which means Eagle Woman. When I was thinking about names that aligned with my beadwork, I wanted something that represented a part of me but I didn’t want to use my full name. So I pulled Kihew. As for Rose, growing up, there were a lot of wild roses that grew in the field near where I lived in Alberta. So for me, Kihew and Rose reminds me of who I am as an Indigenous person, and also where I come from.
What is your origin story as a beader? How did you get started?
I know a lot of Indigenous women who learned beading techniques from their grandparents or family members, but beading techniques weren’t passed down to me that way. I’ve only been beading for about four years now. I grew up in my community—Maskwacis located in Treaty 6 territory in Alberta—but I was very disconnected from my culture as a result of the Indian residential school system. All of my grandparents and my parents went to residential schools (my parents went to day school and my grandparents went to the boarding schools) and these schools were designed to remove and isolate children from their homes and their families, traditions, and cultures. Unfortunately, it was a really well-designed system. Because of that, myself and my whole family were not exposed to a lot of these cultural traditions, including traditional art practices like beading.
I did have one beading lesson from my cousin when I was a teenager, but I was very young and very impatient! I gave up, thinking it wasn’t something I’d ever do. But I’ve always loved sewing. I used to make little patches and pouches on my Kokom’s ’s sewing machine, and all through my formative years I was sewing and learning how to pattern-draft and stuff. And so after high school and one year of general studies in college, I moved to Vancouver and took a fashion design diploma program. I had that background in sewing and thought, if I go into fashion, what could happen for me? But when I graduated from the program, I was discouraged by the competitiveness of industry, the lack of paid internships, and the distance away from my family. I was being called home. I went back to my community, and after working in education for two years, I just felt like I wasn’t really growing as a person. I decided to go back to school, this time focussing on Native Studies at the University of Alberta. That program completely shifted everything for me.
Oh wow—in what way?
Native Studies taught me so much about the residential school system, Canadian legislation, and how historical injustices against Indigenous people really created the world that myself and my community lived in. I always knew residential schools existed, but I didn’t know how they were structured in a way that forced Indigenous people to assimilate into the dominant culture. I just didn’t know this. Taking the Native Studies program gave me historical perspective and taught me about the Indian Act and how it still impacts Indigenous people today. It really opened my eyes. I just understood my world better.
It sounds like you had a whole new context put on your life.
For sure. Because if you don’t have the language to describe your experience, or the understanding of why you live a certain way, then how are you supposed to know? That program helped me understand why my upbringing and my family was the way it was, and why I didn’t have that connection to my culture. So I finished that program and graduated with my Bachelor of Arts Degree. It took me ten years to get my undergrad degree—that growing and learning process took time—but I did it. From there, I started building a career for myself. I began working with government and non-profit organizations to try and remove barriers for Indigenous people to access post secondary education opportunities. I also started looking for community classes to take in Edmonton, and I found a series of free workshops for First Nations women living in the city. I signed up, went to a beading class, and discovered this amazing group of people, including one woman with whom I had community ties I wasn’t aware of before. She demonstrated to us how to do a two-needle beading technique, and something just clicked. Since then, I’ve been beading non-stop.
I’m wondering if growing up without that understanding of your cultural history affected your relationship to your Indigeneity as a young person? And did you ever feel ostracized or othered as an Indigenous person?
I’ve definitely experienced instances of discrimination and racism and being stereotyped for the way I look, and it was definitely something that I struggled with growing up. Back then I wasn’t proud to be Indigenous because of the way I had been treated. To cope, I would try my best to blend in with the world and not draw too much attention to myself. But education really helped me become stronger in my Indigenous identity. My Native Studies program helped me shape that strong Indigenous identity for myself and better understand who I was and where I came from. I was able to develop stronger values because of it.
It sounds like that program really helped you go from feeling shameful to really feeling proud of your Indigeneity.
Yeah. One of the things I think about often is the collection I designed at the end of my fashion diploma program. When I look at that collection—it was beautifully made and I’m really proud of all the hard work I put into it—but you know, the inspiration for it didn’t come from me being an Indigenous person. I didn’t base those designs off my own lived experience or connect them to my Cree culture. I look at the collection and think about how you can’t tell that an Indigenous person made it, which is not to say that it needed to look Indigenous, but more that I just don’t see myself reflected in that work. Now that I’ve really grown to love beading and have built it into my life, I see myself reflected in the work that I do, whereas that wasn’t the case with my graduation collection.
I also have to say, your jewellery is hot right now. Going on your website, a couple hours after your collection dropped last Friday, I kept seeing sold out, sold out, sold out. How does that feel?
It’s weird! But it feels really great to see the support of the community—because that’s really what it is. It’s just inspiring, and it encourages me to continue to work. Working on that most recent collection—it took a long time. At the start of the pandemic, I was able to leave Vancouver (where I’m based) and go home to my family in Alberta, which really relaxed me, but still, for about a month I could not bead. I felt all this heightened anxiety, and so I didn’t touch my bead cases. There are so many teachings that go with beading, and one is that it’s not only an artform but a cultural practice, and so you always want to be in a good frame of mind and a good heart space when you bead. It’s an act of love, the way I see it. At the start of quarantine, I wasn’t feeling the right way, and so I couldn’t do it. But eventually, as things got better and I felt more calm, I started thinking, what’s something new that I can do? I began thinking of new designs, chipping away at it, and it grew into this really beautiful collection.
Can you talk a bit about what inspired the colours and shapes in your new collection? There seem to be a lot of references to Alberta’s native plant-life.
They’re based on plants that grow in Canada and are known to grow in Alberta, but what really drew me to that style of work was the feeling of going back a season, from spring to winter, which is what happened when I travelled from Vancouver to Alberta at the start of isolation. I got to experience the snow melting, the little signs of spring coming to life, and the regrowth all around me. Growing up in Alberta, the change of seasons has always been a big part of my life.
Yeah, I guess Vancouver has a very different kind of spring. There’s no big thaw like there is in the prairies.
Exactly, and traditionally in Indigenous communities, there were specific patterns and styles you recognized as belonging to certain Nations. Like you could tell where someone was from by the patterns and colours of their beadwork, and sometimes you could even tell what family they were from! The idea was, your beading reflected your surroundings. So for me it’s been really interesting because, like I mentioned before, I didn’t grow up with access to that passed-down knowledge. I don’t have any family patterns to reference—at least that I’m aware of—so I’m in this process of creating my own beading identity.
Do you know what the future of Kihew and Rose looks like? What’s next for you in a business sense?
That’s definitely the big question right now! Kihew and Rose is different than a traditional jewellery company in the sense that it’s all handmade and it’s very much an art—not to say that other jewellery isn’t art—but a lot of time goes into these pieces. I think I’m most well known for my smaller, more wearable, everyday earrings, but I’m also interested in reclaiming traditional practices like making moccasins or shawls. I’ve been thinking about starting to focus on larger pieces and acquiring traditional hides and other workable materials that are sourced in a good way. I would love to see the business grow from here, but I’m not really sure what that looks like yet, which is exciting! I think it could grow beyond what I even imagine, but as a smaller business owner I’m at the point where I’m still currently doing everything. It’s hard to meet the demands right now, to be honest.
Do you ever take commissions? So much of your online shop is sold out...
Oh yes for sure. That’s actually how I started—by doing commissions and requests. It got to be too much to manage and so I started being more strategic, like doing a collection at a time, releasing it, and seeing how it went. But I do love taking special occasion requests. I’ve created earrings and jewellery for three or four weddings and a couple of graduation ceremonies, and I find it to be a lot of fun. You know, as long as the project is the right fit and I have the time and capacity, then I will consider it.
How do you feel about non-Indigenous people engaging in beadwork or wearing your designs? I think sometimes people ask themselves, am I being appropriative if I’m wearing something that looks traditionally Indigenous when I’m not Indigenous myself?
I think it’s actually really important for non-Indigenous people to support Indigenous artists and business owners. I get that question a lot from people, like, is this cultural appropriation? It’s not. Unless you are a non-Indigenous person making Native-inspired work. If you’re buying from someone who is an authentic Indigenous person, then we’re happy to see you wearing our work. At markets, I had to learn quickly that I’m not just a vendor, but also an educator in the sense that I need to let people know it’s okay to buy my beadwork. It’s like, that’s why I’m here! That’s what I want you to do!
We’re reckoning with some big social justice issues right now—I’m speaking particularly of Black Lives Matter and racialized police violence. Given how police brutality disproportionately affects Indigenous people in Canada (just as it does Black people and other people of colour), I’m wondering how you feel about the way people in Canada are reacting to all the current news? There’s a lot of talk right now, but do you feel supported as an Indigenous person?
It’s tough because I wouldn’t necessarily say that I feel supported as a First Nations woman. Every day, something new happens and, as an Indigenous person, it’s a lot to take in because I really feel for the Black Lives Matter movement—there are a lot of similarities in terms of what both our communities experience with police violence. But from what I’ve witnessed and what I’ve seen on social media, it seems that Canadians have been more supportive of this movement because it’s at an arm’s length. Canadians are still reluctant to take ownership and take action against injustices that are happening against Indigenous people in Canada. They can acknowledge that racialized violence is happening somewhere else but not that it’s happening here. You mentioned that more people are starting to talk about all this, but it doesn’t feel like a whole lot has changed. I don’t see much shifting yet. There needs to be more awareness of what’s happening here in our own country.
What do you hope non-Indigenous people—people who consider themselves allies—are doing right now to take action against these injustices? Are there particular things that would be meaningful to you personally?
I think it’s really about taking the initiative to educate yourself. There are so many resources already available for people to access, one of them being the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. They publish calls to action and they’ve also interviewed survivors of residential schools. One of the things I always used to hear our elders say is, we’ve already shared our stories. The stories are there, so you need to read them now. It’s about taking the time to really learn about Indigenous people who have been here since time immemorial.
Thank you for sharing that. It’s always tricky because, as a white person, I know it’s not great to keep asking Indigenous people, you know, “what can I do to help?” because that’s like saying “help me help you!”. I think for non-Indigenous people like myself, it’s really important to find ways to help that feel good in a personal sense. So for me, that looks like reading up on history, buying Indigenous art, bringing food to my Indigenous friends to show I support them—things like that.
Yeah, I think those are all really great things you mention. It's also important to have tough conversations with your own friends and family members, and to speak up when racist or inappropriate comments are made about Indigenous people. As an Indigenous person, we're not only subjected to stereotypes in the media but in our daily interactions, and to have to explain that again and again to people is just exhausting. At some point, there needs to be a shift. It can’t just be about us retelling these stories when we’ve told them time and time again. There does need to be initiative and uptake from other people from different backgrounds.
I agree, and thank you so much for taking the time to share your own story today. Are there any Indigenous artists who have inspired you or acted like mentors throughout your journey?
One person that has been very influential in my beading journey is Heather Dickson, of Dickson Designs. She is an artist from the Yukon and is Tlingit from the Carcross Tagish First Nation and Nuxalk Nation from Bella Coola, BC. She creates beautiful and intricate beadwork and is well renowned for her beaded Granny Hanky Headbands. Her beadwork is serious goals! Since I started my business she has provided so much encouragement and given me so much advice when it comes to her knowledge of running a business.
That’s amazing! Is there anything else you’d like to add or that you want people to know about?
Because I didn’t start beading until I was a bit older, I just want to let people know that beadwork is something you can start at any time. Just because you may not have learned something when you were younger or didn’t have access to these cultural understandings—it doesn’t mean you can’t learn. Reciprocity is a big part of what I do. Because I have been gifted with this knowledge, I want to be able to share it with other First Nations people as well. It’s really important for me to be able to pass on the knowledge I have to the next generation.
I love that you say this because I feel like so many artists treat their art like this very exclusive, private thing—as in, “this is my idea and I own it”. It’s a super individualistic and status-driven way of thinking about art, and I like that your work doesn’t play into that. Your beading feels deeply engaged in community.
Beading really is a communal activity! It was something that Indigenous women did together so there is a lot of storytelling and sharing that occurs when you’re in these beading circles. To be able to create that experience for other people—it’s such a privilege to do that. Finding a way to learn how to bead was very difficult—I had to take a class instead of learn from family—and I don’t want it to be that hard for other people. Especially if you’re a First Nations person, beading shouldn’t be that inaccessible. I always think back to my Kokom, my late grandma. She was still alive when I first started beading and so she would watch me. She would stand over my shoulder and ask me, you know, “how do you choose the colours?”. She always used to tell me stories about how she wanted to learn to bead as a kid but wasn’t able to. It really breaks my heart that she had to go through what she did.
Those moments watching you must have made her really proud.
I think it’s important to acknowledge my Kokom’s role in all of this. Even though she didn’t know how to bead, I like to think that we could have beaded together.
Well just looking at the designs, you can tell there’s so much love and care put into them.
I really do try. I try to put good energy into it and to make it with good intentions.
Not too long ago, Kirsten MacDonell was having a lunch meeting at Earl’s. She noticed her server—a woman in her early twenties—eavesdropping on her conversation, clearly interested in the words being exchanged over shared appies and salads. When Kirsten signed off on the bill, the server saw an opportunity to jump in. “Are you from YEG BOSS BABES?,” she asked, the same way you might ask a celebrity to confirm their identity.
“I am!” replied Kirsten.
“I love what you’re doing,” the server said. “Keep doing what you’re doing.”
For Kirsten, moments like this illuminate the true value of what she and YEG BOSS BABES co-founder, Kayla Kaliszuk, are doing. “It’s like, ooh, they’re into it,” says Kirsten. “Our work makes a mark in society, and we want to continue.”
When you think of a typical “networking event,” what comes to mind? Probably a lot of suits. Probably a large, nondescript conference space or ballroom full of business types, chatting stiffly about growth or returns or establishing a brand identity. Probably lots of grey. Lots of black. Lots of men.
This, at least, is the atmosphere Kirsten faced most often while working in sales for a large company.
“The networking stuff we went to was 95% men. There weren’t a lot of women attending,” she says. “And the feedback I was getting from coworkers was like, ‘I was so uncomfortable going to those events because I didn’t feel like I could relate to anybody.’”
Kirsten decided to create a space where networking wouldn’t be such an intimidating, dude-driven experience. As a “solopreneur” herself (Kirsten has her own photography business in addition to a sales job) she knew how hard it was to gather resources and grow a business without a support network. She texted a few friends, including Kayla, a fellow small business owner, and asked if they were interested in starting a wine club (a terrific way to generate interest). “We can go to each other’s houses, meet women who are doing similar things, and swap resources,” Kirsten said over the group text.
“Kirsten sent us a logo and we were like, ‘this is awesome, let’s do it!,’” says Kayla.
Fast forward a couple years and YEG BOSS BABES—the outcome of the wine club—is now a thriving business with over 139 members and 1700 email subscribers. Their mission? To connect women entrepreneurs with the resources and community they need to grow and thrive in business.
“I feel like more and more women are wanting the freedom to start their own business, but they don’t have friends or resources to lean on,” says Kayla.
That’s where YEG BOSS BABES (YBB) comes in. Led by Kirsten, Kayla, and additional co-founder Amy Bender, YBB hosts everything from vision board workshops to holiday mixers to seminars with award-winning women entrepreneurs—“yegsperts,” as they’re called. They also have a membership program. Perks include a space on the YBB directory page (a beautifully-designed online database of women-run businesses in Edmonton), event discounts, and professional headshots. “We find that professional photos really help elevate a business,” says Kayla.
Kayla and Kirsten run YBB with a distinct (and rare) lack of corporate stuffiness: it wouldn’t be uncommon to find a photobooth, cupcake tower, or gorgeous floral display at their events. They’re not afraid to be explicitly feminine in their branding and event curation because not only does it feel authentic to them, but it creates an atmosphere that women find appealing and welcoming. “The typical entrepreneur look has really changed and we’re happy to be trailblazers in that,” Kirsten says. “We can be professional but we can still be ourselves.”
“I didn’t used to like pink but now I’m obsessed with it!” laughs Kayla.
For Kayla and Kirsten, staying true to themselves also means staying at home to raise their families. That’s partly why running YEG BOSS BABES is such an ideal enterprise for them both: they can be mothers and entrepreneurs simultaneously. “Even before we had kids, it was our goal to be at home and raise our kids,” says Kayla. “I’m so supportive of people who go to their nine-to-fives and have that career but it’s not for me personally.”
Kirsten feels the same. “It’s all about taking control of your schedule for your family,” she says, adding that integrating your work life with your family life shouldn’t be seen as a gold standard for all women. “Don’t let society define what having it all is,” she says. “That’s how you get in trouble and burn out.”
“Yeah. Everyone has their own needs,” adds Kayla.
If Kirsten and Kayla seem in-sync professionally, you should see them as mothers. At the time of our interview, Kayla was weeks away from giving birth to her second child, while Kirsten had a two-week-old baby girl at home. “Before we started a business, that was the plan: to be pregnant together,” Kayla says.
But the reality of near-simultaneous pregnancies was a little daunting at first.
“It’s not that Kayla wasn’t excited to be pregnant at the same time as me,” says Kirsten. “But from a professional standpoint, she was like, ‘oh no, what are we going to do? We’re due two months apart! How will the business be affected?’”
To their surprise, their dual pregnancies affected the business positively, in part because the demands of (impending) motherhood meant passing along jobs to other women and hiring new people to help run YEG BOSS BABES. “I think if the pregnancies didn’t happen, we would have kept trying to do it all ourselves,” says Kayla.
“In order to grow a business, you do need to let go a bit.”
There have of course been personal benefits to growing—both in a physical and business sense—in tandem. “It’s one of the coolest things ever to walk through life at the same time with someone,” says Kirsten. “Especially as close friends, and especially professionally. We just get each other.”
Their lives may be closely entwined, but Kayla and Kirsten maintain separate, unique working lives outside the Boss Babes umbrella. Kirsten, for example, has a photography business. Her favourite niche is boudoir, which she loves for the unexpected, personal benefits it gives clients. “I love meeting all shapes and sizes of women and getting to know their journey with their body and self-confidence,” Kirsten says, adding that letting clients see the editing process is particularly inspiring. “Showing them unedited photos and showing them how beautiful they are is the point of boudoir for me. It’s empowering, really.”
Kayla has a creative side, too, which she puts to use in several family business ventures, including a soap-making business she co-created with her mom (Cherry Creek Soap Co) and her husband’s lifestyle brand, Flossy Bumz. But Kayla’s main focus right now is Boss Babes. “I have an entrepreneurial spirit. I like to start businesses, grow them, and then pass them off. I have a drive to be creative and busy.”
Boss Babes is growing fast—in members and visibility. Kirsten’s celebrity moment at Earl’s is one of several instances of public recognition, a sure sign she and Kayla have tapped into an underserved demographic—women in business. “We’re trying to set ourselves apart from what other companies do. So we’ll ask people, what types of workshops do you want to see? And we try to bring that to them,” Kayla says.
Paying attention to their community has also illuminated how strongly people, particularly women, are craving support networks that benefit them in an all-encompassing sense. “We recognize that entrepreneurs don’t just need professional assistance,” says Kirsten. “They need personal assistance, too, and so we provide mental wellness services and those types of events as well.” In other words, they’re refusing to view the Business Self as separate from the Emotional Self or the Mom Self or the Friend Self. All of these selves are integrated; all of the parts need to be healthy for the whole to function properly.
At the end of the day—or, more likely, in the wee hours of the morning—Kayla and Kirsten’s kids serve as their biggest motivational sources. “Now that I have a daughter, I just want to grow a community that looks exactly like what YEG BOSS BABES is growing,” Kirsten says, adding that it’s especially important to highlight this mission in online spaces like Instagram, where negativity often flourishes. “Putting something like Boss Babes out there into the universe—women supporting women in a genuine community—it’s really important. It’s the main drive.”
Meanwhile, Kayla is proving to be quite the role model for her son who, being integrated into her working life (he often accompanies her to meetings and sees her work from home), believes he is an entrepreneur himself. At age four.
“He thinks he sells houses!” Kayla laughs. “He’ll be like, oh yeah, I got a lot of work to do. A lot of people want a house today.”
“He gets to watch his mom be a bad-ass! Then he goes to work,” Kirsten says.
Kayla’s son’s real estate career offers solid proof that anyone can be a Boss Babe, if only they put their mind to it.
Writer: Mica LemiskiPhotos: Janelle Dudzic Photography & Nicole Constante Photography
Wearing a long black shift dress accented with a statement necklace, Rachel Mielke mingles at the Grand Opening of the newest Hillberg & Berk retail location in Calgary. A customer—one who has braved the 100-person line of people wanting to check out the new store—pulls her aside, clearly with something to say.
Rachel is no stranger to admiration-filled exchanges with customers. As the founder and CEO of Hillberg & Berk, her level of visibility is such that brand-followers often recognize her in public. “Social media has really become the main source of people’s content consumption,” she says. Appearing regularly on Hillberg & Berk’s Instagram and Facebook accounts, Rachel is part of the CEO-turned-celebrity phenomenon unique to the digital age.
This particular customer has more to say than most. “I’ve followed the brand for 10 years,” she says, sporting a mix of new and vintage Hillberg & Berk pieces. “I love your brand and your story so much that I went with my husband for a special trip to Regina—just so I could go to the first Hillberg & Berk store.”
This is a first for Rachel. Her Regina-based jewellery company has seen her through some pretty fantastic milestones (a showcase at the Oscars, designing a brooch for Her Majesty the Queen, a partnership with Tessa Virtue—you get it, she’s made it) but to have someone visit the flagship store as if it were a museum is another level of wow. “It blew me away that there are people passionate enough about the brand that they would plan a trip around it.”
The thought of Regina as a fashion or jewellery destination would have been unthinkable to an 18-year-old Rachel Mielke. Lack of a “scene” in Saskatchewan was in part why she opted for a business degree instead of something more artistic. “I loved fashion but I was aware of the reality that there was very little fashion in Saskatchewan when I graduated in 1998, and so my main focus was to make a business for myself.”
Even if she didn’t think she would build a career in fashion, she maintained a desire to create, and to express herself through design, from a young age. She recalls spending hours in her parents’ basement, meticulously placing coloured pegs into her Lite-Brite board. “My mom would come downstairs and say, ‘why are you sitting in the dark?’ Turn the light on!’ And I’d say ‘noooo, it’s cooler with the lights off!’”
She was equally enamored with Rainbow Brite. “My whole room was Rainbow Brite. That character definitely influenced my brand and my fashion today,” she says, referencing the bold colours and gems now signature to Hillberg & Berk. The character was more than just an aesthetic inspiration for Rachel. Rachel’s goal to help women “sparkle”—through not only the jewellery she makes but also a variety of charitable initiatives—is a modern twist on Rainbow Brite’s mission to bring colour to the world.
“I remember buying $300 worth of supplies and thinking it was a fortune!” she recalls. From those materials she made herself a statement necklace. “I put it on and thought, wow, this is really special. I want to do more of this.”
Growing up in a financially-tight household, Rachel had to employ creativity, as opposed to a credit card, to realize her fashion goals early on. After digging out her mom’s 1970s sewing machine and teaching herself how to sew, she developed a knack for making second-hand look chic. “I started deconstructing my clothes and re-sewing them together. I was making fashion that I couldn’t afford to buy otherwise.” She also began making simple jewellery, but it wasn’t until after business school that she made her first luxury item. With money she’d saved from working multiple jobs, Rachel travelled to a specialty gem shop in Edmonton and bought a selection of Bali sterling silver, Swarovski crystals, and freshwater pearls. “I remember buying $300 worth of supplies and thinking it was a fortune!” she recalls. From those materials she made herself a statement necklace. “I put it on and thought, wow, this is really special. I want to do more of this.”
The requests for her designs began to pile up and, fueled by encouragement from friends, Rachel decided to put her business degree to use in a notoriously tough realm: the jewellery industry.
The first hurdle to overcome was a lack of market knowledge, which she overcame through travel. “I went to every single place I’d read was an incredible source of craftsmanship until I built my knowledge of the industry globally,” she says. But the male-dominated industry did not initially recognize Rachel as a force. “People didn’t want to work with me. I was a start-up, so that was an issue too, but they certainly didn’t look at me, a 25-year old woman, and take me seriously enough to say, ‘hey I’m gonna take a chance on you.’”
“I want everyone to feel what I felt when I put on that first piece of special jewellery.”
Rachel learned to market her ideas with confidence and strength. “The key was finding people who believed in me. It was also learning how to sell myself, my story, and convince people that I was going to make it.”
Over 15 years later and she has, most definitely, made it. Hillberg & Berk is a nationally-recognized brand with global ambitions. Their 31,000 square-foot office in Regina’s warehouse district features gorgeous chandeliers, plush furniture, and the bustling energy of a newsroom about to break an important story. Yet Rachel’s in-office presence is a far cry from boss-woman caricatures seen and mythologized in Hollywood. She’s no Miranda Priestly, in other words, and if you run into her in public, she’s more likely to gift you a piece of jewellery than demand a favour. “I want everyone to feel what I felt when I put on that first piece of special jewellery. But sometimes I only have what’s on my body, and so I give it away!”
Giving away jewellery is but one way Rachel is disrupting the pithy maxim that luxury is exclusive. “On a global stage, H&B is one of very few brands that is truly changing the narrative on how brands impact the community, but also how brands change what women think of themselves.”
Rachel is redefining what it means to be a brand leader through her personal style as well. Sometimes she shows up to the Hillberg & Berk headquarters in ripped jeans, sneakers, and a cool t-shirt. Other times, she elevates her style by pairing a simple dress with pops of Sparkle. “I have learned to dress my body type and just stick to what works. I found a great dress this season and I bought it in five colours.” Her clothes and accessories reflect her mission to feel confident, not necessarily cutting-edge, and she hopes this model will inspire women to view fashion as a source of self-expression as opposed to a set of stifling ideals. “I don’t think society should be so prescriptive in terms of telling us how to dress, especially in the work environment. I love that we’re coming into a time where, as women, we’re feeling more comfortable defining our own personal style.”
Rachel may be forward-thinking, but she still gleans wisdom from the past—specifically, from the kaleidoscope she had as a child. A large red tube with a textured baroque pattern, Rachel’s kaleidoscope was a source of wonder for her younger self but has since acquired a philosophical weight. In her keynotes, panels, and workshops (most of which focus on female empowerment and its links to social change) Rachel often references the kaleidoscope as a metaphor for our lives, hoping to inspire a deeper sense of gratitude within her audience. “So often we focus on the small, insignificant parts of our lives. We all have challenges, but the majority of life is amazing—if we just choose to focus on it.”
Writer: Mica LemiskiPhotos: Provided
At Hillberg & Berk, our dream is to empower women to see their own unique strengths, beauty and potential — what we call ‘sparkle’ — and inspire them to help other women see theirs, too.
