The new Netflix series North of North has made a significant cultural impact by showcasing Inuit fashion, reflecting the traditional lifestyles of the Inuk people. The series follows the story of a young Inuk mother, Siaja. It emphasizes her community’s deep connection to the land, particularly through the natural materials that have historically informed their regalia. The creative series highlights the culture and resilience of the Inuk people. It serves as a stage for today’s Inuit designers to break ground.
Keenan ‘Nooks’ Lindell, an Inuk artist and cultural advisor on the series. He points out that even today, many members of the Inuk community still rely on traditional techniques for clothing production. He reminds us that hunting is still a matter of life and death, with meat feeding the family and the furs keeping them warm.
“Our communities are unique, because a lot of people still sew a lot of their own clothes, like the parkas, mitts, hats, or sealskin boots (kamiks),” – Keenan ‘Nooks’ Lindell
The series’ costumes are key in bringing this cultural heritage to life. Lead costume designer Debra Hanson collaborated with a number of different contemporary Inuk designers. Collectively, they designed beautiful parkas that honor the cultural heritage of being Indigenous. She placed an emphasis on combining modern aesthetics with traditional practices.
“Our goal was to get it right culturally, and for it to be beautiful and modern,” – Debra Hanson
Always the active collaborator, Hanson worked closely with some of the most recognized Inuk artists today. Amongst them were Winnie Nungak and Victoria Kakuktinniq of Victoria’s Arctic Fashion. Lindell applauds Kakuktinniq for their role in changing the way parkas are designed. She’s designed tailored silhouettes that pay respect to the classic Inuk aesthetic, but are high-fashion and cozy.
Hanson explains that her costumes are perhaps the most important part of North of North. In particular, she hopes to uplift the work of Inukur artists as her show’s broad themes lend themselves to such art. The colorful and bold parkas worn by the cast reflect traditional outerwear that has long been essential to Inuit life in colder climates.
Lindell’s keen interest in the Inuit community stems from their profound attachment to wild life. That connection bonds them to the land and sustains them by connecting them to a greater ecosystem. This relationship is beautifully reflected in their wardrobe, as they still today make use of materials that are naturally abundant around them, either as clothing or textiles.
The series posed challenges, especially when it came to finding original accessories. Hanson tells us they had a budget line just for earrings to go with the costumes.
“We would go to different art festivals that were happening across the north and buy earrings,” – Debra Hanson
She marvels at the count of earrings sourced for the show’s production.
“I could not believe how many pairs we had—and how many pairs we used. Right to the end, I was still saying, ‘I need more earrings!’ They became their own characters,” – Debra Hanson
Lindell and Hanson came together to make beautiful parkas. These designs are a powerful expression of Inuit culture. Their advocacy endeavors to educate audiences, opening a window into the beautiful, complex world of Inuit style and its cultural importance.
Lindell thinks it’s a turning point for Inuit fashion to be represented on a big stage like this. For him, bringing these designs to life serves to protect and reflect rich cultural identity in a world that increasingly strives for bland uniformity.