Life as a model can be pretty surreal, but it doesn’t get any more surreal than having acclaimed fashion photographer Annie Leibovitz sing you “Happy Birthday” while she’s shooting on a cliff in the middle of the Scottish Highlands.
“By the end of the day we were exhausted and by the last shoot I was freezing with wet hair,” said model Khadijha Red Thunder remembers her birthday earlier this year while on set for Canada Goose’s new Fall/Winter campaign. “One of the producers said to me, ‘I hope you have a nice birthday,’ and Annie said, ‘Wait, it’s yours birthday?’ Then she started singing ‘Happy Birthday’ and everyone on the set started singing along. It was such a magical moment.”
The 28-year-old model, who made her acting debut in the 2019 film ToShe’s currently in the midst of fashion month AW22 – a process that sees her regularly jetting around the world between New York and Paris. When it comes to staying sustainable on the go, the words “Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose” spring to mind.
Canada goose
“I’m very interested in reducing my plastic use,” she tells us. “When I’m on set I try to bring my own water, but I also try to reduce my carbon footprint by getting up early in the morning to walk to work or taking city bikes instead of calling Uber or Lyft .”
Speaking of fashion, the model, who has worked with the likes of DKNY, Marc Jacobs and Puma, says it’s important to be mindful when investing in quality clothing and choosing second-hand vintage items through Etsy and Depop to pay attention to instead of shopping in ‘fast fashion’. But having grown up in a single-parent household, Red Thunder knows how difficult it can be to talk to others about the dangers of “fast fashion” when funds are tight.
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“I grew up with a lot of single parents and it’s hard to convince them that while clothes are cheap, there are other ways,” she admits. “Second-hand was a big thing for me and my family. I am constantly preaching to my relatives to shop at thrift stores and make it more of a family bonding activity. But at the end of the day, it’s more effective show To show people the alternatives to “fast fashion” instead of telling them.’
When it comes to her top fall shopping tips, the model advises shoppers to buy “on purpose.” “Be aware of what’s in your closet and leverage what you already have and what you need to incorporate… I like to take clothes from my closet and sell them in stores where I can then buy other second-hand items .
Canada goose
“Right now it’s fun to mix and match clothes, whether it’s wearing a down jacket under an oversized blazer or throwing on cool trainers with thick socks. Since the pandemic, we’re all very into sweat outfits, so [think about] Experiment with different pieces, like turtleneck thermal leggings or a bomber jacket with a vest. shift up!’
In addition to being a model and actor, Red Thunder, who is of Native American, African American, and Hispanic descent, works to raise awareness of the educational and mental health issues faced by communities living on reservations and within Native Americans live community.
“My community means everything to me. I’ve grown up doing powwows since I could walk, camping with my grandmother all summer and going from one powwow to the next,” she says, referring to her grandmother and mother as “strong, independent, energetic women.” “My tribe is Chippewa Cree, my grandmother is from Saskatchewan Canada and I am so thankful that I was raised with such a beautiful, amazing culture.”
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It is imperative for the model to use her platform and profile as a model to positively change the world she frequently travels in. “It’s important for us to have a conversation [about activism, environmental issues and advocacy] when we’re on set,” she says. “I often ask friends who are influencers, models and actors what they want to do with their careers and their platforms, and to find out what role they think we can play in helping people and our communities.”
Red Thunder is currently starring alongside actress Jodie Turner Smith and model Soo Joo Park in Canada Goose’s new campaign, which celebrates female power and strength. Discussing her reasons for working with the brand, the model says: “I love Canada Goose’s holistic view of human nature.
Canada goose
In keeping with the company’s live-in-the-open ethos, Red Thunder encourages everyone to “immerse themselves in their environment, wherever it may be, whatever it may be, from the cold winters of New York City and Toronto , as well as to go rock climbing, rock climbing, hiking, horseback riding and, above all, courage.’
