In just 100 days, Milan, Italy, will showcase unique designs from Saskatchewan, but they won’t be presented in the conventional runway format. The 2026 Olympic Games will highlight the collaborative efforts of a Saskatchewan curler and Thunder Bay, Ont., Indigenous designer Shelby Gagnon in crafting the uniforms for the Canadian curling teams.
Stephanie Schmidt, the curler from Saskatchewan, shared insights with CBC Radio’s Saskatoon Morning host Stephanie Massicotte, emphasizing the different perspectives they brought to the design process. Schmidt focused on portraying the athlete’s journey, while Gagnon aimed to convey stories from the land that would resonate with Canadians.
The design process spanned about 18 months and incorporated a hummingbird motif symbolizing the four-year life cycle akin to the Olympic cycle. Schmidt acknowledged the added pressure of potentially knowing the athletes who would wear the jerseys, ensuring that the designs reflected their stories authentically.
Following her participation in the Olympic curling pre-trials, where her team did not secure a win, Schmidt reflected on the nerve-wracking experience of seeing her designs in action. Despite the outcome, she expressed a deep commitment to storytelling through sports as a designer.
The uniforms, available in red, white, and black variations, are exclusive to the 2026 Olympics and Paralympics. Additionally, they will feature at the World Mixed Doubles Championship in Geneva, the World Women’s Curling Championship in Calgary, and the World Men’s Curling Championship in Ogden, Utah.
Looking ahead, Schmidt anticipates provincial competitions leading to the Scotties Tournament of Hearts as an athlete and aims to continue using art to narrate compelling stories in the realm of sports.