Christian Allaire's memoir celebrates Indigenous fashion journey

Christian Allaire is set to release his memoir, "From the Rez to the Runway: Forging My Path in Fashion," on March 25. Allaire, an Ojibwe journalist from the Nipissing First Nation, has faced unique challenges in the fashion industry. As a senior writer for Vogue, he has focused on promoting Indigenous voices and designs. In his new memoir, Allaire shares his personal journey in a field where he felt isolated at times. He describes how he has tried to bridge his experiences from his community in Canada and his life in New York City. Finding fellow Indigenous people in the city has helped him connect with his roots. Allaire draws inspiration from authors like Terese Marie Mailhot, whose book "Heart Berries" encouraged him to be more open in his writing. He recalls a standout story he did for Vogue in 2018 about Indigenous designers reclaiming their culture through fashion. This story received a positive reaction and motivated him to continue covering Indigenous fashion topics. In New York, he enjoys attending events at the National Museum of the American Indian, where he meets others from the Native community. Allaire reflects on his early career and wishes he could encourage his younger self to embrace his unique background. He believes that his Indigenous perspective is an advantage in the fashion world and hopes to inspire others to tell their stories.