Festival du Voyageur

(TOP) Fashion on Ice will showcase more than 10 local designers and retailers. Photo by Dan Harper. (BOTTOM) The new Market Days at Festival du Voyageur will feature more than 14 artisans. Photos by Darcy Finley. 02 the alwayS-PoPular FasHIOn On Ice Show will return to the feStiVal Du Voyageur for the thirD year on feb. 14 at 3 P.m. "It's the only fashion show on ice in the middle of winter in all of Canada," says Liliane Lavack, founder and manager of the event. "The festival thought it would be a good idea to incorporate some fashion into the event. It's really fun. A lot of interesting people come together for it." The fashionistas who will walk this very cold red carpet are models both inside and out, Lavack says. "Our models are also role models. We have lawyers, a fashion blogger, filmmakers, a nurse—a group of really interesting people who will come together to make this happen," she adds. "It's an eclectic group." There will be 20 models this year, including Amanda Buhse and Tom Jansen from the Coal and Canary Candle Company, Rebecca Winkworth from the United Way, filmmaker and actor Trevor Kristjanson, and health and fitness coach Corrine Earl. Attendees will get to see designs from Barbara & Cecile, dEdiger, Dugas-Lavack, Gracetta, Joel Fashion, JGarn, Lisa Dyck Designs, Smash Knits and Voilà par Andréanne. "We showcase the apparel of a lot of local design- ers. Fashion on Ice shows what Winnipeg has to offer when it comes to fashions," says Lavack. "Quite a few designers will be selling their products at The Forks Trading Company—that's new for this year." The show takes place on the River Trail at The Forks where the Assiniboine River meets the Red. Fashion on Ice is free to watch. Lavack estimates that between 300 and 500 attendees came out for it last year. "The crowd we get will depend on whether or not it's nice out." If that isn't enough to fulfil your fashion fix, you'll want to check out the festival's market days. "We've always had souvenirs, but people were ask- ing for more diversity—high quality, smaller vendors," says Irina Ivanov Bissonnette, Festival du Voyageur's director of marketing and communications. "This is brand new for us—it's the first year we're doing mar- ket days, and it all came from visitor feedback." On Feb. 13 and Feb. 20, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., check out the Portage tent to find unique gift items and pick up a few treats for yourself. "We welcome some of the smaller, local vendors. We have something for all tastes," Ivanov Bissonnette says. "Items range from Quebec maple products, indigenous art and products, African beadwork, and Manitoba birch syrup." There will be at least a dozen vendors showing their wares in the Portage tent both days. "Most are from Manitoba, but some are from Ontario and one is from Quebec," says Ivanov Bis- sonnette. "We have deer-hide purses and aboriginal art from Anishinabe Iqwe, and Ghanaian beadwork from the African Pot. It's important to integrate all these cultures." Métis artist Joanne Patenaude of C'est ta Vie Jewelry uses vegan and upcycled leather and lace, beads, cork and vintage jewelry in her creations. "The festival was my bucket-list vendor. I've always wanted to be a part of it," Patenaude says. "I'm really quite honoured." Her specialty is working closely with her customers to create one-of-a-kind pieces. People often reach out to her when they've lost a loved one. Patendaude loves to make new jewelry out of the deceased's heirlooms. She recently worked with a client to turn a late grandfather's cufflink into pendant necklace. "We both cried when I gave the piece to her. I get as emotional as they do," she says. "The pieces I do can be very bold to very simple—I pride myself in making sure I really connect with the person." The festival has detailed information on market-day vendors on its website and mobile apps. "We're hoping people will appreciate the variety of local products and come in large numbers," says Ivanov Bissonnette. "It's important to support local businesses and local vendors—help create those connections. I hope people appreciate that and will value the different products we have available." Other vendors who will be participating in the markets include Sly Scarves, Vikky's Mitts, the Can- adian Birch Company and Lacey Brant Creations. ❚ Style on ice by holli moncrieff for the winnipeg free press See the latest fashions as you've never seen them before—on ice. "we showcase the apparel of a lot of local designers. fashion on ice shows what winnipeg has to offer when it comes to fashions."

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