Named as one of the top up-and-comers in modern fashion, local duo Angel and Alex of Indi City talk to Fuse33 about leveling up, creativity and community.

In the beginning, Indi City was two creatives telling traditional stories using only a small Instagram account. Now, they are rising stars in the fashion world, having grown nationally with a newly launched online store and products in shops and boutiques across the country.

When Angel and Alex first arrived as members at Fuse33, they were cutting, making, and assembling all their pieces by hand, a very time-consuming process. With the help of the Fuse33 team, they learned use the laser cutter and associated software. This became a key foundation for their small-scale manufacturing, allowing them to create pieces much faster and with greater consistency and accuracy. Suddenly, they were able to keep up with growing demand and, as a result, started rapidly scaling.

Within a couple of short years, Angel and Alex went from a basic membership to opening their own studio location. They continue to keep a membership at Fuse33 to efficiently manufacture their uniquely designed pieces and connect with the community.

How did you come to be members of Fuse33?

Angel: Back in the days before Fuse 33, I connected with Maria like she was a long-lost sister. Meeting her partner Shannon was equally as kindred. I’ve been happy to follow their lead in any regard. This synergy made way to open us to the home they have created at Fuse33. This has become the foundation that set up the success for Indi City.

Alex: I was in intern at Fuse33 for a SAIT practicum and in 2017/2018 became a full member. Honestly, the maker space feels like a safe space just to be a creator or maker. Everyone is like family and enthusiastically will help you if you get stuck or need a helping hand. Shannon and Maria are great supporters and cheerleaders for all projects in the space.

Tell us about Indi City.

Angel: Indi City stands as a mindful adornment acknowledging our ancestors and the land. We create cultural inspired jewelry for everyone to enjoy. We hope that by creating an authentic space for Indigenous Fashion we can start building meaningful representation, true allyship and reconciliation through commerce.
Alex: In the early stages of the creative process of Indi City acrylic earrings, we pull from our inner workings, which are inspired by culture, art, and beauty. We start with hand-drawn sketches as the foundation, then I take the digital side of things and vectorize the images into intricate blueprints for tech magic. The multidisciplinary makers we are, we have access to tech-forward resources, like a laser cut machine. My collaboration with Angel has been taking Indigenous iconography and digitally creating our artistic Indi City statements. In the expanding landscape of BIPOC fashion designers gaining much-deserved visibility in creative spaces, it is important to have a representation. As a Two-Spirit Indigenous designer and artist, we are here to help create an inclusive future for the next aspiring relatives.

What are some projects that you’ve recently worked on?

Angel: Recently we’ve been rocking the runway in collaboration with Jason Bearg of Ayimach Horizon, Lesley Hampton, and Heather Boucher. This is our most favourite space to occupy is adorning the gifted couture creations of some of the finest Indigenous designers from across Turtle Island.
Alex: We have Indigenous Fashion Week Vancouver Nov 28 – Dec 2, 2022 and showcased the power and beauty of authentic Indigenous art and design.

Has your reach grown since you started at Fuse33?

Angel: We’ve curated a global following for our brand and Fuse33 has been foundational in providing opportunities for community, connection, and creativity to flourish.
Alex: We have 41k+ followers on Instagram and almost 10k on Facebook, Fuse33 has been a huge help with keeping up with up with customer demand!

Has Fuse33 helped you to accomplish something that you otherwise couldn’t have?

Angel: Fuse33 introduced us to light tech and laser cutting. It goes without saying that access to these technologies is the opportunity that enabled us to level up.
Alex: Yes, the access to the use of tech and mentorship has been a gift and blessing that help serve our community and the connection is like family.

How has this impacted your business?

Angel: Most people need a sense of belonging and Fuse33 has created this environment. The collaboration of energies is really special in that it fosters people to reach for their potential.

Do you think Fuse33 is an important addition to the community?

Angel: Introducing light-tech to regalia making, and ultimately PowWow, is the next stage of cultural innovation for Indigenous Peoples’. We are so blessed to be able to bring together this community with others.
Alex: Yes, it allows more makers and creators a place to develop their skills. The spaces offers much to the small and local businesses in Calgary and contributes to the art scene in Calgary.

Angel and Alex are the Indigiqueer co-founders of Indi City. In 2017 they became the first global Indigenous Designers to incorporate wearable technology into traditional regalia. Their first piece a Woman’s Traditional outfit called “The Matriarch Speaks,” exhibited in Calgary, Ottawa and Shenzhen, China. In the same year they both graduated from the Indigenous Women in Community Leadership Program at St.FX University in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. Together they design and create fashion accessories according to the current indigenization of Turtle Island in contact with their ancestral roots. Their unique fashion pieces are beloved across the country. With an in-house multi-media production company, they work to curate a 100% Indigenous made brand through visual marketing and story-telling. They use Fuse33 as home to their small-scale manufacturing.

Angel Aubichon is a Beadworker/Artist/Designer/Storyteller, and Co-Founder and Creative Director of Indi City.
Alex Manitopyes is Co-founder and Artist at Indi City and director/filmmaker at Indie City Studios.