Indigenous fashion designer with northern Ontario roots celebrates success – CTV News
June 30, 2025
Lesley Hampton, a member of Temagami First Nation, is seeing her work featured at Holt Renfrew in Mississauga as part of a three-week pop-up celebrating Indigenous History Month. The Anishinaabe artist and designer, whose inclusive and mental health-focused fashion has gained international attention, reflects on her journey from a young sewing enthusiast to a celebrated name in the industry.
From early sewing to fashion dreams
Hampton first learned to sew at just four years old, crafting a teddy bear for her brother.
“A few years ago, I actually found what I ended up making, way back when, and it kind of looked like a flat duck-shaped thing,” she said with a laugh.
