SS River Designs

Fashion Entrepreneur of Metis Inspired Designs

I am an indigenous Métis fashion designer and artisan living in my Métis community of St. Louis, Saskatchewan, the homeland of my people. I started my business SS River Designs to share my art-to-wear pieces which celebrates and aims to keep michif culture alive. I specialize in Métis beadwork which is a beautiful scrolling flower beadwork pattern. I personally hand bead an original art-to-wear design, then I 'modernize’ my pieces by having my beadwork digitally printed onto fabric, sewn into contemporary, wearable pieces, to make the culture more widely available to all people. SS River is named after the South Saskatchewan River where I was raised and where I reside today, along the banks of this important place in Métis history, I use it as my inspiration. I developed my artistic and design skills through a combination of self-teaching, various courses and working with other designers and artisans. I have been beading and sewing since I was very young. I am drawn to beadwork and compelled to keep this tradition alive.

Founder(s): Christine Tienkamp