A new product collection from Cole Sparrow-Crawford and Arc’teryx puts Indigenous designs front and centre.
Walk Gently is the vision of xʷməθkʷəyəm (Musqueam) artist and designer Cole Sparrow-Crawford. The journey begins in the Coast Salish region, where Arc’teryx was founded on the unceded territories of the Musqueam, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) peoples—the place known today as Vancouver and the surrounding area.
The collaboration centers on Sparrow-Crawford’s designs and story, created and told by him and members of the Coast Salish community. The seven-piece collection features gender-neutral apparel, footwear and packs, infusing Arc’teryx’s technical design foundations with Coast Salish colours and patterns.
Design elements centre on the Coast Salish traditions of fishing, canoeing and harvesting. Pieces from the collection incorporate their weaving and ancestral design patterns that illustrate their age-old connection to the land and sea.
“The collection is inspired by the spring and summer traditions on the Coast Salish territory and deeply reflects the connection my people have with our land,” said Sparrow-Crawford. “As a Coast Salish, Musqueam person, these cultures are embedded in our lives and in the traditions passed on through generations. Walk Gently is an opportunity to connect inspiration from my culture with the world of technical design, and to honor all the individuals that have worked so tirelessly for us to be in this place today.”
Walk Gently is both a celebration and an invitation to join Arc’teryx on their journey to consider more deeply what it means to be on Indigenous lands. Walk Gently will continue to serve as a platform for Indigenous design, sharing the work of Indigenous artists and designers.
“Walk Gently is more than a product collection,” said Katie Becker, Arc’teryx Chief Creative Officer. “Our hope is that when people wear the products, they connect with the designs and join us on this journey of understanding what it means to live in relationship with the land and our hosts. We are honoured to partner with Cole and the Coast Salish community to bring Indigenous voices and artistry to the forefront of the outdoor industry.”
Beginning July 10, the first Walk Gently product collection is available in select retail locations across the US, Canada, UK, Germany, Norway, China, Japan and Australia, and online beginning July 17.
“The shorts and tees in this collection are inspired by the vibrant, beautiful, and sacred cedar tree and are meant to support canoe pullers as they take to the waters.”
–Cole Sparrow-Crawford
Profits from the collection will be donated to Indigenous organizations, such as Indigenous Women’s Outdoors, an Indigenous organization dedicated to the empowerment and well-being of Indigenous women and girls through their connection to land and water.
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