There was lots and lots of screaming. The happy cries, says designer Lesley Hampton, were from her staff. And the catalyst was an Instagram post by none other than Lizzo, who was donning a full Lesley Hampton getup as she sang while jogging (for stamina training — and for the now-viral post, of course).

Hampton, who calls herself Anishinaabe Mohawk Scottish Canadian, is a Toronto-based designer celebrated for championing gender and body inclusivity in her campaigns and shows, drawing a loving, high-profile fanbase, and landing her gowns at marquee events like the Golden Globes. But her biggest payoff to date is the Lizzo moment — a fellow body inclusivity advocate who gets innately what Hampton’s putting out there. “To see Lizzo experience the clothing in her home as opposed to a red carpet — and to know that it was her personal choice to work out in it…. It was just mind blowing for me.” Four million viewers and counting agree.

Originally from Newfoundland, Hampton studied sculpture before fashion, so launching her line with evening wear seemed to be the natural move given her penchant for artisan details. “Anytime I can work with my hands, whether it’s beading or sewing, that’s really where my personality and creativity flow through.” But a few years ago, long before elastic waists were part of daily dressing, Hampton added athletic apparel with similarly luxe, painterly prints and not-shy color palettes that are signatures of her formal wear. And now you see why she dubs it athluxury.

Hampton is unsurprisingly surrounded by a crew of performers and creatives who are drawn to her POV and dedication to advancing fashion as a force for good. Beyond offering inclusive sizing, Hampton has a renegade approach to casting her marketing materials and runway shows; over the past few years she has picked models based on their mental strength and resilience (to raise awareness about mental health), their indigeneity, and identity — she regularly includes models who consider themselves two spirits.

“That question of belonging has always been at the forefront of my work,” says Hampton who grew up moving internationally every few years and identifies strongly as Third Culture Kid. “I know what it’s like to feel like you don’t belong, so in my creative work, I strive to create a space where people can find their community.”

Her advocacy is being felt through a Hudson’s Bay Foundation initiative called Charter for Change, and in a limited edition collaboration happening this fall — a holiday calendar beauty box sheathed in an exclusive Lesley Hampton print—imaginative, luxurious and packaged in English, French, and Anishinaabemowin [ALT the Ojibwe/Ojibwa language] — an Indigenous language presently spoken by more than 20,000 Canadians from Manitoba to Québec. “I believe strongly in the power of representation; the strength it can give to people who see themselves acknowledged and honoured.” says Hampton. The box features the phrase mino bimaadiziwin, translated to mean “living the good life,” a much-needed reminder to prioritize mental and physical health, the designer says. “Keeping this phrase as a mantra is a great way to dedicate your energy to yourself, and what is best for you.”