Stars align for Pelican Lake designer invited to L.A.
Saskatoon-based designer is headed to Los Angeles next month to showcase her work at a prestigious event.
Helen Oro, of Helen Oro Designs, was invited to the 2018 NBA All-Star Weekend Fashion Showcase scheduled for Feb. 16. She said it’s a private show including a variety of designers from around the world.
“I believe it’s going to be star-studded, so there will be NBA and NFL players who will be in attendance,” Oro said. “I’m the only Canadian and Indigenous person showcasing. The models who are coming with me will be the only Indigenous models.”
As a member of Pelican Lake First Nation, Oro said she wanted to use aspects of her culture to inspire and educate people through the work she does. Oro mostly creates accessories, but uses her skills with beadwork to make each piece unique. She describes her work as “out of the box,” as she said she strives to make items in unconventional ways.