A blend of comedy, storytelling and Indigenous fashion is coming to the Vancouver Fringe Festival this September with Fashionably Late, the debut one-hour show from performer Savannah Erasmus.

“It’s my first hour and it’s a stand-up and storytelling show,” said Erasmus. “I’m really excited to bring it to the stage.”

The 50-minute production takes audiences on a journey through three acts as Erasmus navigates anxiety, ADHD and the pressure of getting dressed in time for an event.

“The audience will see a talk about fashion, also Indigenous fashion, that makes me more comfortable.”

The show opens with Erasmus greeting the audience in a glamorous Hollywood-style dressing gown. Throughout the performance, she works through a series of outfits, with each one somehow not feeling quite right.

“I can’t decide which to wear and everything feels wrong or there’s something not perfect about it. Eventually, it’s the Indigenous fashion and the earrings that make me confident enough to go on stage.”

The combination of comedy and storytelling is rooted in Erasmus’ own experiences.

“It’s just being funny, performing and being myself.”

Beyond the humour, Fashionably Late is also a celebration of Indigenous fashion, its evolution and the meaning behind various pieces.

“I show traditional ribbon skirts that I have, and I talk about the history of the modern ribbon skirt, and get more into the history of Indigenous fashion. I’m basically doing a show-and-tell from my closet with all the elements of Indigenous fashion that I currently own.”

Erasmus saves the reveal of her final outfit for the last part of the third act.

“It has all the elements of what I was showing and telling you in the second act. For the final act, I show the evolution of all the elements of traditional Native fashion and how they merge with the modern.”

Erasmus said she is proud of her first show, which highlights Indigenous fashion while exploring her experiences with anxiety and ADHD.

“You are going to laugh. It is funny, but it’s also a show about the ADHD and anxiety that I deal with. It is also a celebration of Indigenous fashion, and how I, as an Indigenous woman, am healing through the growth, representation and visibility of Indigenous culture.”

Fashionably Late will be performed at the Revue Stage on Granville Island as part of the Vancouver Fringe Festival from Sept. 10-20.

Show times and additional information are available at: www.savannaherasmus.ca/fashionably-late