Stephanie Grace Gamble will be back at the RISE NYFW showcase at this year’s NYFW. Her fashion line, C. Lysias Designs, ranges from elegant dresses to deer hide and rabbit fur outfits. Her indigenous roots are incorporated in her designs, which is something she is very proud of.
She also unites the fashion world and mental health. Her line expresses her faith, intuition, and takes on a holistic approach. Her brand’s motto is “Love Your Successful Individual Authentic Self”, which describes Gamble’s style and personality.
In my fourth and final installment of my interviews for NYFW, I interview Stephanie Grace Gamble about C. Lysias Designs, her Indigenous roots, and what connects her line to a wellness brand.
Where did you get the name for C. Lysias Designs?
Lysias Designs is an acronym for Creatively. Love Your Successful Individual Authentic Self and is used to promote self-love and self-awareness. I read a book and seen the name Claudias Lysias, who was a historical man, a leader of 10,000 men and that kind of stood out to me. It just evolved into what it is today.
What keeps you motivated along the fashion journey?
My motivation comes from my own personal passion of designing. It brings me joy and feeds my soul. In this world of always giving to others, fashion allows me to give back to myself! I can pour back into me, refill my own personal tank, and that is everything to me!! It makes me happy, being able to create, design, and sew these one-of-kind garments, ranging from couture to ready to wear. As someone who didn’t have a lot of support or opportunities growing up, I am motivated by all the young people who want to experience life, success, and travel the world and I am in the position to create these opportunities for them to do just that. I can train, mentor, and help the youth to experience New York Fashion Week and to give my children that experience, as well. There are so many things that motivate me, in this fashion journey, I love it all. From making the collection, fitting the models, deciding on hair and makeup… To the music, lights, and runway… It is everything!!
You grew up in Canada? What throttled you into the fashion business?
Yes, that is correct. I grew up in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. Born and raised. I am from Beardy’s and Okemasis First Nation, which is a reservation located near Duck Lake, Saskatchewan. Currently, I live with my two children on Treaty 7 territory in Calgary, Alberta.
I chose the fashion business, because it was something I was very interested in as a young elementary student. Of course, I had troubles at home, making it very hard it to focus at school, so I escaped reality by sketching out dress designs and pictured a glamorous life with fashion, beauty, and success. I would make dolls, doll clothing, and accessories, all out of socks. Because, I was raised by my grandmother, who didn’t have a lot of money, I ended up making a lot of my own clothing, pencil cases, binder covers, etc. I would hand sew and teach myself. My grandmother would make her own clothing, as well. She would make traditional ribbon skirts, circle skirts, and blouses. It was interesting to see her use a ribbon or a pencil, as a measuring tape to get her exact sizes. She was really creative and always provided on limited means.
Love your dresswear. Where did you get the inspiration for them?
My inspiration comes from anything that speaks to me, while out and about, or while dealing with life. It could be from a story an Elder told me (Project Iskotew – Fire) giving life to my Cree language, language revitalization or inspired by the “Poetry of Maya Angelou” with an entire collection of floral, flowy, and beautiful gowns with “Phenomenal Woman” being recited, as the models walked the runway. I’ve had collections that were inspired by trauma turned into triumph or pain into power such as, “Rise of the Phoenix” or my “Resilience” collection. I draw inspiration from anything and everything that I believe, deserves recognition and awareness.
My past collections raised awareness on the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Movement in Canada or Every Child Matters, Residential School Era, where children were taken from their homes and families and placed into a boarding school, where they suffered trauma and abuse. I feel that I have been given a platform to tell a story through fashion and through every design or word brings healing.
You also dove into wool, deer hide, and rabbit fur when creating pieces. How come?
I am an Indigenous Fashion Designer, who was disassociated from her Culture. Now that I am older, I am learning about my heritage and Indigenous roots, these were elements of my culture. We were raised on wildlife, such as deer meat, rabbit soup, and battered fish. Growing up in my culture, I would help my dad to hunt, skin an animal, and help my mom/grandma to cook and make a meal for the entire family. Over the years, this was taken away from us and we were told not to practice our culture. Our voices were stolen, our hair was cut, and we were stripped of our identities, but now there is a resurgence of our culture, and our Indigenous Peoples are taking back their power. We are no longer sleeping giants, as we are all waking up, and using our platforms to rise.
Your brand is not only fashion brand, but a wellness brand? Can you explain?
The whole reason I started fashion, was to heal. Growing up from a difficult past, fashion became a coping mechanism, which allowed me to heal, self-express, and reconnect me to my faith. The whole wellness aspect stems from my Indigenous Roots and is inspired by maintaining that holistic balance. C. Lysias Designs is a fashion and wellness brand focused on creating clothing, accessories, and wellness product that promote health, comfort, and a holistic lifestyle.
How important is the RISE Showcase and NYFW to you, personally?
The RISE Showcase and NYFW is extremely important to me, because I feel like we have grown together, with each show becoming bigger and better. RISE NYFW provided that platform for not only me, but for my youth Indigenous Models to be seen and established within the United States and gave us something to look forward, too, year after year. The affordability and exposure are definitely worth the investment from my end, and the fact that RISE NYFW is willing to ensure that all my needs are met, by offering their supports and services, is just incredible. I am so proud to be a part of RISE NYFW, due to the atmosphere and family vibes, that it gives.
Please check out C. Lysias Designs this Friday at 4 PM at the RISE Showcase part of NYFW.
