Willow Allen

Last updated

Willow Allen
Born1998 or 1999 (age 26–27) [1] [2]
Inuvik, Northwest Territories, Canada
Occupation(s)model, content creator
Spouse
Cale Kindrachuk
​
(m. 2022)​
Children1

Willow Allen is a Canadian fashion model and TikToker, from Inuvik, Northwest Territories.

Contents

Early life and education

An Inuvialuit, Allen was born and raised in Inuvik. [1] She attended Briercrest Christian Academy for the last two years of high school, and went on to attend Briercrest College for one semester. [3] While at Briercrest, Allen became a Christian. [3]

She was studying social work at MacEwan University when she was discovered. [1] As of 2022, she was hoping to complete her degree and go on to work with native communities after she graduates. [4]

Career

Allen was scouted to become a model on social media in 2019 and subsequently signed with Mode Models. [5] [6] She has worked with the likes of Canada Goose, the Canadian edition of Elle , and Christian Louboutin. [7] Being on the cover of Elle Canada was "a major career milestone" that got her started on her modelling career. [8] [4] She has worked in Singapore and New York. [5] While in Singapore, she did modelling work for such brands as New Balance, Highsnobiety, Sony, Levi Strauss & Co. and Prada. [1]

Allen has also appeared in Canadian singer Tyler Shaw's music video for "When You're Home", which was filmed in Toronto. [5]

In November 2023, Allen appeared in Vogue . [9]

Online presence

Allen has a following on TikTok of over 690,000; [9] she uses the platform to educate viewers about life in the Canadian Arctic and about her Inuit heritage. [4] In 2022, she was included in a TikTok accelerator program for indigenous creators. [10]

Personal life

Allen and her husband, Cale Kindrachuk, eloped prior to October 2022, [4] followed by a traditional ceremony in April 2023. [11] The couple live in Saskatchewan. [9]

In July 2023, Allen announced on TikTok that the couple were expecting their first child. [9] Allen struggled with hyperemesis gravidarum during her pregnancy. [9] Her son was born on 20 January 2024. [2]

Awards

In 2022, Allen won the Canadian Arts and Fashion Awards' Fresh Face of the Year Award. [6] [12]

Allen was one of eleven recipients of the 2023 Indspire Awards. [13]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Scott, Mackenzie (22 April 2019). "Whirlwind year for Inuvialuit model after being discovered on Instagram". CBC North. Retrieved 4 March 2022.
  2. 1 2 Di Filippo, Elizabeth (23 January 2024). "Inuit model Willow Allen celebrates the birth of her first child: 'The most beautiful gift from God'". ca.style.yahoo.com. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
  3. 1 2 Lenko, Timothy. "Willow Allen: From Christian School, to Modelling, to Social Work". www.briercrest.ca. Archived from the original on 11 February 2022. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Murphy, Aisling (12 October 2022). "'We don't wear heels in the Arctic': How Inuit model Willow Allen uses TikTok woof woof to showcase life in the north". Toronto Star. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
  5. 1 2 3 McLeod, Wanda (24 January 2021). "From New York's fashion scene to social work in the North: Inuvialuit model looks homeward". CBC North. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
  6. 1 2 Lalancette, Katherine (13 April 2023). "Inuit Model Willow Allen Is Bringing Visibility to Arctic Communities". The Kit. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
  7. ↑ "How These Indigenous Women Are Reclaiming Their Culture". Elle Canada. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
  8. ↑ "Meet the 4 Indigenous Women Covering ELLE Canada's February-March Issue". Elle Canada. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 Allaire, Christian (17 November 2023). "Model Willow Allen Is Incorporating Inuit Culture Into Her Motherhood Journey". Vogue. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
  10. ↑ Miskiman, Megan (28 November 2022). "NWT TikTok creators given extra help as their followings grow". cabinradio.ca. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
  11. ↑ "Willow & Cale". The Knot. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
  12. ↑ Tessier-Burns, Francis (20 October 2022). "Inuvialuk model wins national award". CKLB Radio. Archived from the original on 20 October 2022. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
  13. ↑ Williams·, Ollie (11 May 2023). "Inuvik duo win 2023 Indspire awards". cabinradio.ca. Retrieved 18 October 2023.