Willow Allen

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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.

Early life and education

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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  1. ^ a b c d Scott, Mackenzie (22 April 2019). "Whirlwind year for Inuvialuit model after being discovered on Instagram". CBC North. Retrieved 4 March 2022.
  2. ^ a b 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. ^ a b 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. ^ a b c d 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. ^ a b c 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. ^ a b 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. ^ a b c d e 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.