Non-binary, trans-masculine Indigenous fashion designer is paving their own way to success | CBC News

Alex Manitopyes doesn’t wear earrings. 

But they have devoted the majority of their journey in the fashion industry to making them. 

“It’s such an odd thing to not have my ears pierced but focus on that kind of craft and art. It’s like taking myself out of the box and seeing it from different angles that I can provide as a non-binary person,” Manitopyes said.

Manitopyes is Cree/Anishnaabe, born and raised in Mohkinstsis (Calgary). They are also non-binary and trans-masculine, an identity, Manitopyes says, they have just started to be more open about.

“Not until the last couple years have I felt safe enough to really put a lens on it and accept that side of myself and lean toward that,” Manitopyes said.

Art and fashion is Manitopyes’s passion. They started learning about graphic design by playing around on a Macintosh computer their mother bought in the early 90s, and it took off from there. They attended SAIT and graduated from the New Media Production and Design program in 2017 and took their lessons in laser cutting to the world of earring design. 

In recent years, the Indigenous fashion scene has exploded with designers from all over Turtle Island making a splash on global runways. 

But, for Manitopyes, there hasn’t been anyone like them to watch and learn from. 

“I don’t know any other trans-masc Indigenous fashion designers out there right now, so it’s definitely pioneering and a fresh new look in the fashion scene. Because we do have a lot of two-spirit and femmes that are rocking and representing Indigenous fashion in the mainstream, and to offer this angle I think is refreshing,” Manitopyes said.

But it isn’t always easy being a trailblazer. 

They say it is sometimes overwhelming as the only trans-masculine, non-binary person in the room. 

“I ask myself, what am I doing here, sometimes in the beginning, and have panic attacks and anxiety. Then I work through it and I always come back to the message: we’re taking up space,” Manitopyes said. 

One way they are doing that is through their brand, SACRD THNDR. The name is taken from their own — Manitopyes in Cree means holy or sacred thunderbird. Their first project is an earring collaboration with Scott Wabano. 

Wabano is two-spirit and Cree from the Moose Factory First Nation in Ontario. They have made a name for themselves with their Wabano brand, focusing on a genderless approach.  

In 2023, Wabano says they became the first two-spirit designer to have their work showcased at New York Fashion Week. One of the most renowned events in the world.

“Representation is a form of harm reduction. When Indigenous youth and two-spirit, queer youth see themselves represented in media, you know they feel heard, they also feel like they can do what this person is doing,” Wabano said. 

That is true for Chase Campeau. Campeau is two-spirit and Cree from Maskwacis Nation in Alberta. They are also an aspiring designer and have worked closely with Manitopyes. 

Campeau says Manitopyes and other queer fashion designers are an inspiration.

“Having that guidance and, honestly, it’s having someone look over you. It makes me feel brave to actually share the journey for myself now,” Campeau said. 

It’s a journey Manitopyes is still very much on, too. 

They have a limitless amount of design ideas for jewellery, art and clothing for all genders and for the genderless. 

As for piercing their ears, they said they will, eventually.