This article contains spoilers on who was eliminated from season three of Project Runway Canada, episode three.
By Michele Yeo
After last week’s episode that saw everyone safe and no designer “out,” this week saw two Project Runway Canada contestants eliminated after a high stake, high stress innovative challenge.
The designers were split into two teams and tasked with the challenge of crafting futuristic looks using cutting edge materials that would be fit for the runway in the year 2125. The creations not only had to be avant garde, they also had to be cohesive with the rest of the team. In the end, Team Fashion was victorious with Charles selected as the overall winner and Team Forward fell short with Naimo and Taalrumiq sent walking after their runway. 29Secrets caught up with both contestants after their dual elimination.
What were your thoughts when you first heard what this week’s challenge would be?
Taalrumiq: I was hopeful, and intrigued as I’m used to working with unique materials, but I wasn’t thrilled at a team challenge because I didn’t want to be the one to bring the team down.
Naimo: Avant-garde sounded exciting, but the team challenge I definitely was not ready for!
Talk about the challenge, what was most difficult for you?
Naimo: The hardest part was trying to deliver something bold and experimental, while keeping up with the pace. Everyone had big ideas, and making everyone’s ideas blend was hard.
Taalrumiq: Having so many strong design voices made it harder to create a cohesive collection, and at the end of the day, it still comes down to what you present as an individual. Yes, I was disappointed to let my team down, but I was also disappointed in being safe twice in the competition and not given a chance to try again. Also, I had so many people supporting me and believing in me while I was on the show and I’m sad to let them down as well.
Taalrumiq, talk about the thought process behind your design and its ties to your heritage?
Taalrumiq: My team encouraged me to be the group’s storyteller, and because it’s a dystopian world, I imagined there would be limited resources, disastrous climate change, and the earth generally not being conducive to human life. Yet we don’t give up on the earth, we continue to care for, reclaim and protect what’s left. I felt that these are conditions that many Indigenous communities understand and are familiar with, hence my idea for a Protector, or as I said, a ‘Munaqsi,’ an earth Guardian. My Inuit culture influences my design process, and you can see it in the boot covers and the dramatic collar, a nod to traditional Inuvialuit kaukkak (melton mukluks) and amaruqpalik (large dramatic sunburst wolf and wolverine fur ruffs). In the future, we may not have traditional materials but the tradition is referenced in the use of the lab created materials, and the Munaqsi still has an imposing, strong, and powerful presence.
Naimo, you were still working on your design when it was time for the models to hit the runway, how stressful was that for you?
Naimo: It was incredibly stressful — honestly one of the most overwhelming moments I’ve had in a long time. I wanted so badly to finish strong, but the clock ran out. I felt like I was fighting to the very last second, and when time beat me… it hit hard.
Naimo, what was going through your head when your model was walking the runway?
Naimo: It was really hard to watch. I had a mix of disappointment and heartbreak. And I remember feeling embarrassed. As a designer, you always want to show your best work, and I didn’t do that.
What is your reaction to being eliminated?
Taalrumiq: I was disappointed, maybe even shocked. I truly wanted to go further in the competition, as I didn’t go into this only to get to episode 3! The judges weren’t impressed with my work that week, and subsequently I was out. That’s the name of the game. It hurt that the judges didn’t want to see more and put me out on week 3. I realize it’s not personal, it’s about the challenge and specific look I created.
Naimo: I won’t sugarcoat it; I was ready to leave. I felt defeated even going into the last challenge with everything else that happened before – especially after being in the bottom for two challenges before this one.
Taalrumiq, you and Little Feather touched on the importance of Indigenous representation – can you talk about why that’s important to you?
Taalrumiq: It’s very important to have Indigenous representation, in our case, Inuit and First Nations. Indigenous people are an important part of the fabric of Canada and it’s time we are seen in these spaces, as the contemporary people we are, and accurately represented and humanized, shown in ways other than in cultural, advocacy or trauma contexts. We belong here, and like everyone else we have dreams, goals, want to love and take care of our families, do meaningful work and contribute to our communities. When Little Feather said to me ‘think of all the little Indigenous girls watching,’ it was in reference to week two, when she was on the bottom, and I told her I felt like a little girl seeing her on that runway. I didn’t see failure, I saw a strong, confident, beautiful Indigenous woman, and I felt seen. And I was so proud of her. And I imagine Indigenous children and youth watching, they might feel this way too, seeing the both of us on the show and knowing they can do this too.
Naimo, you were quite hard on yourself this episode – how are you feeling now?
Naimo: At the time, I felt crushed. I kept replaying my mistakes and letting self doubt take over. But now, after creating something new, I needed my heart to feel and to remember why I design… it’s always my happy place. It’s the happiness I share with myself and the world. My passion and my desire to succeed is also what’s pushing me forward. I’m proud of the designer I am.
Describe the experience of being on Project Runway Canada.
Taalrumiq: When I got the call that I had a spot on the show, I cried! I knew this moment was bigger than me, beyond my personal dreams and goals. This would be the first time an Inuk Designer would compete on the show, and I knew that it would be significant not only for Inuit but for Canada! I am so grateful to have been part of this! It’s a dream come true! But as we know, dreams require hard work!
While my journey on the show ended in episode 3, and there are some what-ifs, this was a risk I knew going in. Given the chance, I believe I could do it again, next time with more gusto, confidence and make it to the finale! I’m grateful and honoured to have been part of the show!
Naimo: It was intense, emotional, unforgettable and it’s definitely not for everyone. I walked in with dreams and walked out with an even deeper understanding of myself and what I’m capable of.
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