Indigenous Women In Leadership Recipient

Award Sponsor

Lesley Hampton

Lesley Hampton (she/her) is an Anishinaabe Artist and Fashion Designer focused on mental health awareness, body positivity, and authentic representation in fashion and media. She is the Creative Director of LESLEY HAMPTON, an Indigenous-owned, women-led, size-inclusive clothing and accessory brand based in Toronto, ON. She is also a model/content creator represented by BNM Model Management, and speaker on Indigenous entrepreneurship and diversity in fashion. Lesley Hampton aims to decolonize euro-centric standards in the fashion industry, inspire the next decade of Indigenous leaders and entrepreneurs, and create space for empowerment and representation in fashion, media, and beauty.

Lesley has been described as “an important Indigenous face in the Canadian fashion landscape” by the Globe and Mail, number one Canadian Brand to keep your eye on from VOGUE, and “Wherever her career takes her, activism and style will always go hand-in-hand” according to The National Post. Lesley has also been the cover story on Now Toronto.

Lesley Hampton is a member of Temagami First Nation, located in northern Ontario, and she identifies as an adult ‘Third Culture Kid’ with her formative years spent in Canada’s Arctic and Atlantic, Australia, England, Indonesia, and New Caledonia. This amalgamation of her Anishinaabe indigeneity and her international nomadic upbringing nurtured a passion for socio-cultural causes.

She has received her International Baccalaureate Diploma from ACS Hillingdon International School in London UK 2012, Honours Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Toronto and Sheridan College 2015, with a specialty in Art Studio and Art History, and Ontario College Diploma in Fashion Techniques and Design Diploma from George Brown College 2017.

Lesley Hampton has received recognition for her fashion and entrepreneurial work from the 2021 Indspire Award Youth Recipient, 2021 Canadian Arts and Fashion Awards Fashion Impact Award recipient, 2021 Fashion Group International Toronto Visionary Award, 2019 Ontario Premier’s Award nomination, 2019 George Brown College Alumni Entrepreneur of the Year, and 2018 RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards 2018 nomination.

Lesley Hampton has worked on design collaborations and content creation for The Bay, Revlon, Knix, Smashbox, Estee Lauder, Nike, Raptors, Magnum Icecream, TD Bank, and more. Lesley Hampton is the Costume Designer in Residence at Red Sky Performance. Lesley Hampton has dressed singer Lizzo, “Reservation Dogs” actress Devery Jacobs for the 2021 EMMY awards, actress Crystle Lightening for the 2021 Canadian Screen Awards, actress Tantoo Cardinal, actress Kaniehtiio Horn for the 2019 Canadian Screen Awards, Iskwe, actress Megan Suri on Season 1 of Netflix’s Never Have I Ever, Kiesza, Jann Arden, Ashley Callingbull, and more.

Giving back to our community and building a more inclusive tomorrow are some of Lesley’s main goals with her business. Streams of giving include monetary donations, partnership-focused support, and mentorship opportunities. This includes internships with students from George Brown College and Seneca College; donations to organizations such as the Matriarch Movement (founded by Shayla Stonechild), Indspire, Native Arts Society, We Matter, Starlight Children’s Foundation Canada, and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health; and The Lesley Hampton Award in partnership with the Ontario Mining Association at the Toronto Metropolitan University.