Willow Allen
{{Short description|Canadian model}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2022}}
{{Use Canadian English|date=November 2022}}
{{Infobox person
| image =
| alt =
| caption =
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1999|11|29}}
| birth_place = Inuvik, Northwest Territories, Canada
| other_names =
| occupation = model, content creator
| years_active =
| spouse = {{marriage|Cale Kindrachuk|2022}}
| children = 1
}}
Willow Allen is a Canadian fashion model and TikToker, from Inuvik, Northwest Territories.
Early life and education
Allen was born and raised in Inuvik. She attended Briercrest Christian Academy for the last two years of high school, and went on to attend Briercrest College for one semester.{{Cite web |last=Lenko |first=Timothy |title=Willow Allen: From Christian School, to Modelling, to Social Work |url=https://www.briercrest.ca/blog/willow-allen-journey |access-date=2023-10-18 |website=www.briercrest.ca |language=en}} While at Briercrest, Allen became a Christian.
She was studying social work at Grant MacEwan University when she was discovered.{{cite news |last=Scott |first=Mackenzie |date=22 April 2019 |title=Whirlwind year for Inuvialuit model after being discovered on Instagram|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/willow-allen-inuvialuit-model-1.5104872 |work= CBC North|location= |access-date=4 March 2022}} As of 2022, she was hoping to complete her degree and go on to work with native communities after she graduates.
Career
Allen was scouted to become a model on social media in 2019 and subsequently signed with Mode Models.{{cite news|last=McLeod|first=Wanda|date=24 January 2021|title=From New York's fashion scene to social work in the North: Inuvialuit model looks homeward|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/willow-allen-model-inuvik-new-york-1.5884047|work=CBC North|accessdate=14 October 2022}}{{Cite web |last=Lalancette |first=Katherine |date=2023-04-13 |title=Inuit Model Willow Allen Is Bringing Visibility to Arctic Communities |url=https://thekit.ca/beauty/willow-allen/ |access-date=2023-10-18 |website=The Kit |language=en-US}} She has worked with the likes of Canada Goose, Elle Canada, and Louboutin.{{Cite web |title=How These Indigenous Women Are Reclaiming Their Culture |url=http://www.ellecanada.com/culture/society/how-these-indigenous-women-are-reclaiming-their-culture |access-date=2023-10-18 |website=Elle Canada |language=en}} Being on the cover of Elle Canada was "a major career milestone" that got her started on her modeling career.{{Cite web |title=Meet the 4 Indigenous Women Covering ELLE Canada's February-March Issue |url=http://www.ellecanada.com/culture/society/elle-canada-february-march-issue-cover-indigenous-women |access-date=2023-10-18 |website=Elle Canada |language=en}}{{cite news |last=Murphy |first=Aisling |date=12 October 2022 |title='We don't wear heels in the Arctic': How Inuit model Willow Allen uses TikTok woof woof to showcase life in the north |url=https://www.thestar.com/life/2022/10/12/we-dont-wear-heels-in-the-arctic-how-inuit-model-willow-allen-uses-tiktok-to-showcase-life-in-the-north.html |work=Toronto Star |location= |access-date=14 October 2022}} She has worked in Singapore and New York. While in Singapore, she did modelling work for such brands as New Balance, Highsnobiety, Sony, Levi's and Prada.
Allen has also appeared in Canadian singer Tyler Shaw's music video for "When You're Home", which was filmed in Toronto.
In November 2023, Allen appeared in Vogue.
=Online presence=
Allen has a following on TikTok of over 690,000; she uses the platform to educate viewers about life in the Canadian Arctic and about her Inuit heritage. In 2022, she was included in a TikTok accelerator program for indigenous creators.{{Cite web |last=Miskiman |first=Megan |date=2022-11-28 |title=NWT TikTok creators given extra help as their followings grow |url=https://cabinradio.ca/110141/news/arts/nwt-tiktok-creators-given-extra-help-as-their-followings-grow/ |access-date=2023-10-18 |website=cabinradio.ca |language=en-US}}
Personal life
Allen and her husband, Cale Kindrachuk, eloped prior to October 2022, followed by a traditional ceremony in April 2023.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theknot.com/us/willow-allen-and-cale-kindrachuk-apr-2023|title=Willow & Cale|website=The Knot|accessdate=10 February 2023}} The couple live in Saskatchewan.
In July 2023, Allen announced on TikTok that the couple were expecting their first child.{{Cite web|url=https://www.vogue.com/article/willow-allen-pregnancy|title=Model Willow Allen Is Incorporating Inuit Culture Into Her Motherhood Journey|journal=Vogue|first=Christian|last=Allaire|date=17 November 2023|accessdate=17 November 2023}} Allen struggled with hyperemesis gravidarum during her pregnancy. Her son was born on January 20, 2024.{{Cite web |last=Di Filippo |first=Elizabeth |date=2024-01-23 |title=Inuit model Willow Allen celebrates the birth of her first child: 'The most beautiful gift from God' |url=https://ca.style.yahoo.com/willow-allen-baby-news-203230207.html |access-date=2024-01-28 |website=ca.style.yahoo.com |language=en-CA}}
Awards
In 2022, Allen won the Canadian Arts and Fashion Awards' Fresh Face of the Year Award.{{Cite web |last=Tessier-Burns |first=Francis |date=2022-10-20 |title=Inuvialuk model wins national award |url=https://cklbradio.com/2022/10/20/inuvialuk-model-wins-national-award/ |access-date=2023-10-18 |website=CKLB Radio |language=en-CA}}
Allen was one of eleven recipients of the 2023 Indspire Awards.{{Cite web |last=Williams· |first=Ollie |date=2023-05-11 |title=Inuvik duo win 2023 Indspire awards |url=https://cabinradio.ca/128833/news/economy/tourism/inuvik-duo-win-2023-indspire-awards/ |access-date=2023-10-18 |website=cabinradio.ca |language=en-US}}
References
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Category:21st-century Canadian women
Category:21st-century Inuit people
Category:21st-century Inuit women