Indigenous Saskatoon model in London for Fashion Week

Saskatoon model Shalaine Bouvier has been working locally for more than a decade, but today she is headed to London to walk an international runway.

I can only hope to inspire Aboriginal youth.- Shalaine Bouvier

"It's huge for somebody from Saskatoon, a small town," said Bouvier. "I can't wait."

Bouvier will be working with Saskatoon designer Helen Oro to bring an authentic Indigenous experience to London Fashion Week, one of the world's biggest fashion events.

Oro is Indigenous, and creates fashions featuring fine bead work. Bouvieris also Indigenous.

It could be a big break for both women.

"I can only hope to inspire Aboriginal youth to follow their dreams," said Bouvier.

Breaking barriers and turning heads

Agent Paula Collins, owner of Masala Model and Talent, said Bouvier has been breaking down barriers in the modelling industry for some time.

"She is the first Indigenous model for [the Saskatoon mall] Midtown Plaza and we are so, so proud of that," said Collins.

But it would be wrong, Collins said, to assume Bouvier's appeal in the industry is limited, or that her role is solely to model for Indigenous designers.

"It is the whole package that Shalaine has, and she will be going to casting in London. So she may be modelling for multiple designers there."