In a more diverse and inclusive Australian Fashion Week than ever before, this year’s is set to be one for the books.
In addition to a first-ever curve runway show, as well as a designated focus on Indigenous designers, it has just been announced that Jessica Mauboy, Community Ambassador for the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair Foundation (DAAFF), will be performing her latest single at the Indigenous Fashion Projects runway.
For the second year running, Indigenous Fashion Projects (IFP), a Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair Foundation program, will bring together six of Australia’s most talented and highly awarded Indigenous designers.
“I am beyond excited to be performing at this year’s Indigenous Fashion Projects runway at Afterpay Australian Fashion Week — it will be an honour to stand up on stage with some of Australia’s most talented First Nations designers,” said Mauboy.
“This experience will be my first official engagement as a Community Ambassador for DAAFF and I’m overjoyed to be joining with them to showcase the incredible work they do in supporting emerging and
established Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and designers.”
Following the success of its first run last year, Indigenous designers will return to the main stage again in 2022. The six featured First Nations designers who will participate in the IFP runway are all actively growing
fashion brands and part of the IFP Pathways Program supported by David Jones.
Each collection draws on the individual designer’s deep and personal connection to Country, collectively inviting audiences on an immersive sensory journey from the desert heart of Australia, along freshwater
rivers, through to the sea.
Together on Gadigal Country, but coming from diverse areas across Australia, the designers that will feature in this runway are:
- Indii, By Saltwater Dunghutti designer Nancy Pattison
- Kirrikin, By Wonnarua designer Amanda Healy
- Liandra Swim, By Yolngu designer Liandra Gaykamangu
- Maara Collective, By Yuwaalaraay designer Julie Shaw
- Native Swimwear, By Biripi and Ngarabal designer Natalie Cunningham
- Ngali, By Wiradjuri designer Denni Francisco
These six Indigenous women are fast making their mark on the global fashion landscape, pushing boundaries and using fashion as a platform to tell their stories, sharing their unique cultures through their designs.
The show will be brought to life by the dynamic Co-Creative Directors Al Weekes and Eastern Arrernte woman, Shilo McNamee, Head Runway Stylist and Yorta Yorta man Rhys Ripper, and Cat Rose as Producer. The runway will also feature stunning videography by the acclaimed First Nations
visual artist Wayne Quilliam.
To have a show that continues to support and platform multiple Indigenous artists and creatives is such a step forward for the Australian fashion industry, representing that the industry, on the whole, is consistently moving towards celebration and recognition.
Tickets to the Indigenous Fashion Projects are now available to purchase to attend this exclusive event, including the not-to-be-missed performance by Mauboy of her latest single.
