There is a new force in fashion created from the substantial talent and energy that can only be found under the midnight sun, Northern Garments Incorporated (NGI). Born from a love of nature and a deep passion for design, established Yukon designer Megan Waterman and wildlife stewardship coordinator Jake Duncan have teamed up to start a new Yukon-based company that produces unique clothing and accessories inspired by the wilderness and culture of the North.

Founded on principles of design integrity, quality workmanship, and, sustainable & respectful resource use, Northern Garments is proud to provide the world with clothing and accessories that celebrates northern culture. NGI is located in historic Dawson City, Yukon and over a century ago Dawson City was titled the “Paris of the North”. In the 30 collective years that founding partners Megan Waterman, a professional fashion designer, and Jake Duncan, a wildlife stewardship coordinator, have been living in the region – they have been busy reviving the frontier flair established long ago by people like Madame Tremblay.

NGI is opening with four distinct brands to cater to a variety of clientele. Its award winning Skookum Brand™ label is where powerful, strong & impressive outdoorwear can be found. NGI's line of women's winter clothing, named Lousetown Laundry creates clothing and accessories for women who love the north. And its Suitcase Sue line provides women with summer clothing from the frontier of fashion. NGI's Fireweed Fabrics™ is line of unique hand-dyed and hand-printed fabrics that caters to artisans and fabric artists. NGI also performs custom design and manufacturing services on demand.

Megan Waterman started her career after graduating with honours in Fashion Design from Kwantlin University-College, by working in Dawson City as “Megan a la Mode Designs”, and designing historic ball gowns and period costumes for Parks Canada, Diamond Tooth Gertie’s, and the Palace Grande Theatre. Although she created collections while in design school, some of which were snapped up at the time by Hemptown Clothing, her designs really started maturing when she opened her own store, Fashion Nugget Design and Fabric.

After her first few successful years in business, Waterman started designing under her own label, Lousetown Laundry. Megan was also busy co-founding the Yukon Apparel and Designers Association; participating in the very successful Wild By Design fashion galas in Whitehorse and the 2004 Great Northern Arts Festival; and, reviving the Dawson Fur Festival. Lousetown Laundry designs have received wide recognition locally, regionally, and nationally on CBC, APTN and Fashion Television. Megan Waterman is now applying herself in her capacity as Northern Garments premier designer.

Jake Duncan is joining the business from a position as a Community Stewardship Coordinator for the Yukon Fish and Wildlife Management Board. In this position, Jake has organized many successful community-based conservation projects, while working with numerous groups, governments and First Nations throughout the Yukon. Amongst the successes of this self-described environmental entrepreneur, is the formation of the Yukon River Salmon Cooperative Ltd., a value-added fish processing facility based on principles of conservation and sustainability. Duncan’s strong project management skills, his resourcefulness, and his passion for environmental sustainability are surely to benefit Northern Garments long into the future.

Kudos to Waterman and Duncan for establishing an exceptional northern company that is making Yukon cultural products widely available, and good luck with what will surely be your next success.