Project Atigi – A collection of bespoke parkas handcrafted by Inuit seamstresses from Canada’s North

 

 

First of its kind program showcases Inuit craftsmanship on global scale; 

The first of its kind in Canada, Project Atigi was born in the north, created by the north and for the north. All proceeds from the sale of the collection will go to Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, the national representational organization that works to improve the health and wellbeing of Inuit in Canada through research, advocacy, public outreach and education.

Canada Goose Launches New Social Entrepreneurship Program: A collection of parkas handcrafted by Inuit seamstresses from Canada’s North

In Inuktitut, the traditional word for “parka” is “atigi”. And that’s what Project Atigi is: A collection of parkas handmade in Canada’s north.

Canada Goose announced the launch of a new social entrepreneurship project for Canada’s North — Project Atigi. Designed to celebrate Inuit craftsmanship – the original parka makers – the project features the global release of a one-of-a-kind collection hand-made by expert seamstresses.

Canada Goose commissioned 14 seamstresses representing nine communities across the four Inuit regions to create
bespoke parkas using their traditional skills and unique designs, and Canada Goose materials. The exclusive collection includes anoraks, parkas and traditional amauti-style jackets – for men, women and children – many adorned with artistic embellishments and crafted from patterns that have been passed down from generation to generation.

“Canada Goose was built in the North and we have a responsibility to be a meaningful part of the community that we call home. For more than 10 years, Arctic stewardship has been woven into the fabric of our business and Project Atigi is our way of leveraging our entrepreneurial success to expand theirs,” said Dani Reiss, President & CEO, Canada Goose.

This initiative continues the company’s long-standing commitment to supporting the North. For more than 10 years, through its Resource Centre Program, Canada Goose has donated more than two million metres of materials to northern communities across the Arctic. Project Atigi was inspired by this commitment and the relationships the brand has cultivated in the North – two of the seamstresses featured in Project Atigi helped inspire the Resource Centre Program.

Amauti parkas are specifically designed for mothers, and so it follows that Martha Munick’s white Amauti is detailed with inspiration from her mother throughout. She incorporated her heritage of bead work as well as patterns that have been in her family for generations. The elaborate shapes and line work she has hand-sewn on makes for a truly bespoke piece of art.

Rebecca Killiktee never makes the same parka twice. It’s imperative to her that each garment she makes is unique, tweaking details each time to ensure that they’re always one-of-a-kind. For this parka, Rebecca was inspired by the red fabric (her favourite colour) and then added a signature twist by extending the fur ruff and placing the Project Atigi disc in a unique spot.

Like many other Inuit women, Chantelle Andersen learned to sew under her mother’s watchful eye. As an adult, art and designed have become important parts of her life. She studied apparel design and found a passion for textile work. Chantelle draws on her Inuit roots to blend tradition and the influence of modern techniques to produce truly bespoke pieces like this parka she made for ProjectAtigi.