We’d like to draw your attention to some of the great organisations, individuals, events and resources actively working to build opportunities for, and showcase the talents of, Australia’s First Nations people in the fashion industry...
Feature image; 2019 From Country to Couture, Julie Shaw, MAARA Collective x Bula'bula Aboriginal Arts Corporation, MAARA Collection. Photo by Dylan Bucke.
Here are just some of the great events and resources, organisations and individuals actively working to build opportunities for, and showcase the talents of, Australia’s First Nations people in the fashion industry.
A curated Instagram account dedicated to showcasing Australia's thriving Indigenous fashion community, created by Yatu Widders Hunt.
The Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair’s (DAAF) Country to Couture runway, Indigenous Fashion Projects and newly launched National Indigenous Fashion Awards (NIFAs). The NIFAs have been developed to provide a vibrant and exciting platform to celebrate the innovation, diversity and ethical practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and fashion designers, whilst contributing to the capacity building of the sector.
A progressive platform created to nurture and support Indigenous creatives in the realms of Fashion + Design. FNFD provides a platform for cultural expression and celebration by way of fashion and performance under the guidance of one of Australia’s leading Indigenous creatives, Grace Lillian Lee. Also recently announced is the newly launched First Nations Fashion Council!
Jira is proud to represent First Peoples of Australia in the modelling world, driven by their strong cultural connections and their desire to influence and inspire our communities around Australia. The agency was founded in 2017 by Stylist and Model Perina Drummond, to assist in creating career pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people into the industry, and to help shape and strengthen the Australian fashion industry.
Image From Piinpi: Contemporary Indigenous Fashion Exhibition: Grace Rosendale, Seed Pods Top and Pant 2019. Linen. Courtesy of the artist, Hopevale Arts and Cultural Centre and Queensland University of Technology. Model: Magnolia Maymuru. Photographer: Bronwyn Kidd.
The upcoming exhibition at Bendigo Art Gallery brings together a selection of garments and textiles by First Nations designers and artists from around Australia, featuring collections by Lyn-Al Young, Grace Lillian-Lee, Babbarra Women’s Centre, Marree Clarke, Lisa Waup x Verner, Hopevale Arts and Cultural centre and many more.
An online resource highlighting an incredible list of brands to support along with a wealth of resources to educate and inform.
We will be updating this page and welcome you to send us additional links that you’d like us to share to info@ausfashioncouncil.com
AFC are acutely aware of the lack of representative diversity and inclusion in our Fashion industry at so many levels. We ask for your patience while we take responsibility for broadening our understanding, engage further with our industry’s rich and culturally diverse community and continue on this pathway to build a plan of action worthy of this critical cause.
- Leila Naja Hibri, CEO, Australian Fashion Council
This blog’s feature image is from the 2019 Country to Couture runway, featuring work by Julie Shaw, MAARA Collective x Bula'bula Aboriginal Arts Corporation, MAARA Collection. The photo is by Dylan Buckee. You can find more imagery from the event HERE >>
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