On February 27 Tasha Cadotte boarded a plane for Paris, France, and arrived on February 28 to begin the adventure of a lifetime.
Cadotte, a master stylist who creates hair designs for models who feature couture for some of the top clothing designers in the world, was there as lead stylist for the top ten designers at International Indigenous Fashion Week, which began March 1.
The mother of two, daughter Tatianna, 18, and son Tydyn, 10, Cadotte has been doing hair professionally for 15 years and has done hair with Redken Canada for Toronto fashion week as well as attended NYC couture fashion week.
Cadotte, of Calgary, is originally of Cote First Nation near Kamsack, and she has family residing there. Her father is Vincent Cadotte, and step-mother is Stella Pelly. Although she was born in Regina, she graduated high school from Chief Gabriel Cote Education Complex (CGCEC.)
For International Indigenous Fashion Week, Cadotte, as lead stylist, created the 鈥渉air look鈥� and teams of stylist from Tokyo and Los Angeles executed her design 鈥渟o every look had my signature on it,鈥� she said.
The show was held in the new Gustave Eiffel Reception Room, right in the Eiffel Tower itself.
鈥淭he Salon Gustave Eiffel enjoys a location like no other, housed in the monument that symbolises France to the rest of the world, suspended 57 metres above the ground with stunning, unobstructed views of Paris and the city鈥檚 most noteworthy sites,鈥� said information on the Internet about the show.
Featuring 10 top Indigenous designers from around the world, Cadotte, representing Canada, worked alongside the following designers: Sho Sho Esquiro, B.C;聽 JG Indie and JG Indie by Jolonzo Goldtooth, New Mexico (a Navajo inspired designer); Della Bighair-Stump (Della鈥檚 Designs), USA; Victor Baguilat Jr., Philippines; Ingrid Brooks, New Brunswick; Yolonda Skelton (Sugiit Lukxs Designs), B.C.; Melissa Attagutsiak, Nunavut; Cheremene Castle Designs, Australia; Victoria Kakuktinniq (Victoria鈥檚 Artic Fashions), Nunavut, and Lyn Kay Designs, B.C.
As lead stylist she worked with stylist teams from Tokyo, Paris, Canada, USA, Australia, New Zealand and the Philippines.
鈥淚 worked closely with designer Melissa Attagutsiak of Nunavut and our location shoot was done at the Louvre,鈥� Cadotte said. 鈥淚t was amazing to see the Louvre.鈥�
According to the Internet, the Louvre is the world's largest art museum and a historic monument in Paris, France. A central landmark of the city, it is located on the Right Bank of the Seine in the city's 1st arrondissement (district or ward.)
鈥淥ne of Melissa鈥檚 models was Juno award nominee Kelly Fraser,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 just love what I do. There is no better feeling than 小蓝视频 able to make another person feel and look beautiful. As a mastered 鈥榮ession stylist鈥� I specialize in runway and editorial and have worked on many sets and magazines spreads.鈥�
Nena McArthur of Calgary was lead make-up and did all the make-up for Cadotte鈥檚 models on her shoots.
鈥淭here is so much I could say in regards to the things I鈥檝e done with my career, but I will say it has taken a lot of hard work and determination, and never giving up on my dream that has helped me make it to the international platform. I am very proud to represent Indigenous fashion at an international level.鈥�
Paris was an eye-opening experience for Cadotte.
鈥淭he city is filled with so much culture and has so many unique aspects,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t would take a lot of time to take in all the sights Paris has to offer, but we were fortunate to have the opportunity to do some sightseeing during the trip.
鈥淭he fashion show took one full day of the time in Paris, and the rest of the time was spent on location shoots. The culture is so different in Paris, and they are way ahead of us in the fashion industry
鈥淚 came back from Paris with a lot of good experiences.鈥�
On March 19 Cadotte was off to Vancouver for Vancouver Fashion Week to work with Redken Canada鈥檚 backstage team. It is the second largest fashion show in all of North America, she said.
鈥淚鈥檝e worked with Redken since 2012,鈥� she said. 鈥淚鈥檝e worked in Toronto and New York among other places with Redken.鈥�
Models wearing Cadotte鈥檚 hair designs have appeared in magazines, including Harper鈥檚 Bazaar, Paper Magazine, Dazed Magazine, Vogue, Fashion Magazine, Elle and Nylon.
To see more of Cadotte鈥檚 hair creations follow her on Instagram at stylesbytasha.
