Lesley Hampton

Lesley Hampton

Youth Recipient (2021)

Temagami First Nation, ON

“Through my personal and professional experience, I have come to understand how much representation in media truly matters…I want to be a voice in that space to advocate for the stories that are not being shared.”

Lesley Hampton is a two-time Canadian Arts and Fashion Awards nominee and designer making an impact in Canada’s fashion industry.  Trained at George Brown College, Sheridan College, and the University of Toronto, she has presented at Indigenous Fashion Week Toronto (2018) and has also showcased her contemporary designs inspired by her Anishinaabe culture at international fashion weeks and on televisions across the country. During the 77^th Golden Globe Awards, etalk red carpet co-host Elaine Lui sought out Lesley’s designs to wear during the broadcast, earning Lesley international recognition from publications like Vogue and The Hollywood Reporter. Lesley is a role model to Indigenous youth, constantly advocating for body positivity, mental health, and authentic representation. She is passionate about providing space to encourage others so that they can also be successful in mainstream media. As her career progresses, Lesley’s goal is to create a wider landscape in Canadian media for Indigenous creative voices to stand out.