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Willow Allen

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Willow Allen
Born (1999-11-29) November 29, 1999 (age 24)
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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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.[1] While at Briercrest, Allen became a Christian.[1]

She was studying social work at Grant MacEwan University when she was discovered.[2] As of 2022, she was hoping to complete her degree and go on to work with native communities after she graduates.[3]

Career

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Allen was scouted to become a model on social media in 2019 and subsequently signed with Mode Models.[4][5] She has worked with the likes of Canada Goose, Elle Canada, and Louboutin.[6] Being on the cover of Elle Canada was "a major career milestone" that got her started on her modeling career.[7][3] She has worked in Singapore and New York.[4] While in Singapore, she did modelling work for such brands as New Balance, Highsnobiety, Sony, Levi's and Prada.[2]

Allen has also appeared in Canadian singer Tyler Shaw's music video for "When You're Home", which was filmed in Toronto.[4]

In November 2023, Allen appeared in Vogue.[8]

Online presence

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Allen has a following on TikTok of over 690,000;[8] she uses the platform to educate viewers about life in the Canadian Arctic and about her Inuit heritage.[3] In 2022, she was included in a TikTok accelerator program for indigenous creators.[9]

Personal life

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Allen and her husband, Cale Kindrachuk, eloped prior to October 2022,[3] followed by a traditional ceremony in April 2023.[10] The couple live in Saskatchewan.[8]

In July 2023, Allen announced on TikTok that the couple were expecting their first child.[8] Allen struggled with hyperemesis gravidarum during her pregnancy.[8] Her son was born on January 20, 2024.[11]

Awards

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In 2022, Allen won the Canadian Arts and Fashion Awards' Fresh Face of the Year Award.[5][12]

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

References

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  1. ^ a b Lenko, Timothy. "Willow Allen: From Christian School, to Modelling, to Social Work". www.briercrest.ca. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
  2. ^ a b Scott, Mackenzie (22 April 2019). "Whirlwind year for Inuvialuit model after being discovered on Instagram". CBC North. Retrieved 4 March 2022.
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ 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.
  5. ^ a b Lalancette, Katherine (13 April 2023). "Inuit Model Willow Allen Is Bringing Visibility to Arctic Communities". The Kit. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
  6. ^ "How These Indigenous Women Are Reclaiming Their Culture". Elle Canada. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
  7. ^ "Meet the 4 Indigenous Women Covering ELLE Canada's February-March Issue". Elle Canada. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
  8. ^ 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.
  9. ^ Miskiman, Megan (28 November 2022). "NWT TikTok creators given extra help as their followings grow". cabinradio.ca. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
  10. ^ "Willow & Cale". The Knot. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
  11. ^ 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.
  12. ^ Tessier-Burns, Francis (20 October 2022). "Inuvialuk model wins national award". CKLB Radio. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
  13. ^ Williams·, Ollie (11 May 2023). "Inuvik duo win 2023 Indspire awards". cabinradio.ca. Retrieved 18 October 2023.