[ windspeaker confidential ] - Dorothy Grant

Windspeaker: What one quality do you most value in a friend?
Dorothy Grant: Honesty and respect for one another.

W: What is it that really makes you mad?
D.G.: Racism and ignorance, mixed with apathy.

W: When are you at your happiest?
D.G.: When I make someone else happy when dressing him or her in my garments and I see it makes them shine with pride. It is most satisfying to see that happen.

W: What one word best describes you when you are at your worst?
D.G.: Jetlag.

W: What one person do you most admire and why?
D.G.: Iona Campagnolo, former Lieutenant Governor General, British Columbia. I admire her because she had an elegance - in her impeccable delivery of speech, her regal mannerism, her respect for native people, her humanitarianism, and her sense of balance in all things. She had an ability to make everyone around her feel welcomed and honored. She embodies a lot of qualities that I want to see more of in myself. I think when you meet a lot of people ­ which I do ­ and they affect you, you want to emulate them.

W: What is the most difficult thing you've ever had to do?
D.G.: Walk away from broken dreams that were not fixable. There have only been a few major ones in my life, but you learn to reinvent a new dream.

W: What is your greatest accomplishment?
D.G.: This is very difficult to answer because there is always something greater on the horizon and if you rest in your last accomplishment, it can deter you from your focus. However, I make a stand for my place in fashion and culture and have broken some barriers in both arenas, mainly for the acceptance of First Nations art in fashion.

W: What one goal remains out of reach?
D.G.: Worldwide brand recognition and distribution.

W: If you couldn't do what you're doing today, what would you be doing?
D.G.: I would love to be able to be a personal buyer of art and fashion for people. I think I have developed a pretty keen eye over the years. Traveling the world looking for that exquisite piece of art or clothing with a specific person in mind would be a creative outlet for me; I would really enjoy seeing my clients happy.

W: What is the best piece of advice you've ever received?
D.G.: Lloyd Kiva New, America's first Native American designer during the 1950's, told me to stick to what I do best and maintain my vision and quality, and the rest will follow.
He said there is not a lot of uniqueness out there, so strive for it and use the venues and media and all of the things that come by for your manufacturing that will further your place in the fashion industry. He was a dear and valued friend and mentor.

W: Did you take it?
D.G.: Yes.

W: How do you hope to be remembered?
D.G.: Dorothy Grant made people happy and proud with what she made for them, and she was damn good at it!

Capping off more than 20 years' work in the art and fashion worlds, Dorothy Grant opened the Dorothy Grant studio in downtown Vancouver this summer. There, displayed beside the artist's signature Haida "Feastwear" and "Black Label" clothing lines, are stunning glass sculptures and ceremonial hats she was inspired to create, including art from emerging Native artists.
Grant's new studio also accommodates a sewing centre that allows Aboriginal women entering or re-entering the work force to acquire sewing skills; and to craft apparel, bags and blankets.
Born in Hydaburg, Alaska, Grant was raised in Ketchikan, and is of the Kaigana Haida of the raven clan from the Brown Bear House of Howkan.