Country to Couture: Fashion As A Celebration Of Culture And Creativity

Two sold-out shows, 20 collections and 60,000 years of culture woven together with modern innovation; the stunning spectacle that was Country to Couture stormed down the runway on Larrakia Country, highlighting the talents of both emerging and established Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander creatives. Created by the Indigenous Fashion Projects, part of the broader Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair, the IFP is a grassroots community of change makers, building sustainable fashion futures that centre and empower agency of First Nations voices.

We at Peppermint are beyond proud to be one of the founding supporters of the IFP, as well as a media sponsor for the Country to Couture shows. More than just a fashion show and a celebration of Indigenous textiles and fashion design, Country to Couture is a contemporary way of cultural storytelling and sharing knowledge. It helps to bring these deeply meaningful and significant stories to the world fashion stage, stitching, weaving and printing tradition and purpose into the garments, as well as passing the techniques (and stories) onto the next generations.

ABOVE: YARRENYTY ARLTERE ARTISTS BY DYLAN BUCKEE

FINALE BY JALARU PHOTOGRAPHY

DAAF Foundation’s Artistic Director and proud Eastern Arrernte visual artist, Shilo McNamee, said the electrifying runways illustrated the growth of the thriving Indigenous textile and fashion community. “It is so inspiring to witness this dynamic and growing stream of artistic expression that is captivating audiences everywhere … a proud moment for everyone involved,” she said. “Experiencing ancient stories and contemporary perspectives of the world’s oldest surviving cultures through fashion is truly breathtaking.”

Experiencing ancient stories and contemporary perspectives of the world’s oldest surviving cultures through fashion is truly breathtaking.

TOP: FINALE BY MARLEY MORGAN, ABOVE: JESSICA MAUBOY BY DYLAN BUCKEE

Much-loved performer and Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair (DAAF) Foundation Community Ambassador Jessica Mauboy sat front row enthusiastically cheering on the collections. “As a Kuku Yalanji and Wakaman woman and fashion enthusiast, it was a joy to see the industry unite on Larrakia Country for the Country to Couture shows,” she said. “Celebrating the remarkable talent of First Nations designers and artists, who seamlessly combined colour, creativity, and culture in their work, creating another unforgettable experience.”

NAGULA JARNDU BY DYLAN BUCKEE

Show one’s theme was Underfire: Hear Our Voice, which encouraged activism and expression. It prompted designers to ‘Hear. Our. Voice. More than garments, fashion can be a vehicle for healing, for activism and political expression, for fighting for Country and the survival of culture. We keep the fire burning.’ Show two, Boundless: Always Was, Always Will Be, celebrated cultural stories, deep connection and Country: ‘From the desert to the sea, Country holds us, teaches us. Our fashion is a celebration of our cultural stories, from traditional materials to streetwear, to couture’.

More than garments, fashion can be a vehicle for healing, for activism and political expression, for fighting for Country and the survival of culture.

TOP: DELVENE COCKATOO-COLLINS BY MARLEY MORGAN ABOVE: DELVENE COCKATOO-COLLINS BY KELLEY SHEENAN

So many highlights… where to even begin? Quandamooka artist Delvene Cockatoo-Collins from Minjerriba (Stradbroke Island) is always a fave with her bold, graphic garments contrasted with natural woven elements. She says of her collection: “My collection Dilly Bag and Mat Making is my Grandmother’s Grandmother’s basket. It’s a series of hand-printed linen garments and some hand-dyed natural fibres as well.” Delvene also created earrings for the show using a banner that had been displayed for a few years on the side of an arts centre with her artwork and her grandmother’s words on it. “I printed a series of images over the banner and made it into earrings for the runway,” she explained on her Instagram. “A great way to continue to include my Grandmother’s handwritten words in my work, and ensuring responsible use of materials.”

TOP: YARRENYTY ARLTERE ARTISTS BY DYLAN BUCKEE, MIDDLE LEFT: GAMMIN THREADS BY MARLEY MORGAN, MIDDLE RIGHT: MAGPIE GOOSE X EWYENPER ATWATYE BY DYLAN BUCKEE, ABOVE: AMANDA HAYWARD (L) FROM MAGPIE GOOSE, TAHNEE EDWARDS FROM GAMMIN THREADS BY KELLEY SHEENAN

Gammin Threads’ Tahnee Edwards from Naarm (Melbourne) showcased her fun, playful streetwear designs while renowned Magandjin/Meeanjin-based (Brisbane) Magpie Goose collaborated with Ewyenper Atwatye, a textile enterprise called Hidden Valley Town Camp, based in Mparntwe (Alice Springs).

The work of these established designers and many others such as Sarrita King, Ikuntji Artists, Yarrenyty Arltere, Tjanpi Desert Weavers and Buluuy Mirrii appeared alongside emerging labels, while non-Indigenous design luminaries also joined the fold, including Helen Kaminski and Linda Jackson AO.

The latter collaborated with Yalanji Arts to open the first show with gorgeous hand-printed fabrics (we’ll take every piece with Vanessa Cannon’s Makarr (Fish Trap) print, please and thank you). 

FROM TOP: SARRITA KING, VANESSA KING FROM YALANJI ARTS BY KELLEY SHEENAN, SARRITA KING BY MARLEY MORGAN, YALANJI ARTISTS X LINDA JACKSON AO BY DYLAN BUCKEE, MUMRED BY DYLAN BUCKEE

Sustainability was also on show, with many artists and designers incorporating natural materials and recycled products in their garments. Butchella and Woppaburra woman Samala Cronin, whose slow-fashion label, MumRed, blended natural, woven elements with slinky evening wear and tulle skirts. “All my art is deeply rooted in my culture, created through my cultural understanding, placement, and ways of knowing and being. Every piece is born from a story and invokes the essence of my Country and cultural identity,” says the Cairns-based designer. “I used natural materials like sinew, fur, skin, feathers, grass, resin, shells and quills to imbibe my creations with the essence of creation itself. I also worked with repurposed and recycled materials in line with my label MumRed’s ethos of sustainability and slow fashion.” 

LEFT: BLAKLABEL DREAMING BY DYLAN BUCKEE, RIGHT: GAPUWIYAK CULTURE AND ARTS X ALY DE GROOT BY DYLAN BUCKEE

Most importantly, Country to Couture is about empowering cultural expression and providing audiences with the opportunity to learn about Australian First Nations textiles and fashion.

Country to Couture has become an important platform for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander designers, artists, models and art centres over its eight-year history. “For some participants, it serves as a stepping stone to the broader fashion industry,” says Michelle Maynard, manager of the organisation behind the event, Indigenous Fashion Projects. 

“For others,” Michelle adds, “it’s a proud moment to showcase artistic creativity in new and innovative ways. Most importantly, Country to Couture is about empowering cultural expression and providing audiences with the opportunity to learn about Australian First Nations textiles and fashion.”

ABOVE: FINALE PHOTOS BY DYLAN BUCKEE

FOR MORE ON COUNTRY TO COUTURE AND THE DARWIN ABORIGINAL ART FAIR, GO TO DAAF.COM.AU AND INDIGENOUS FASHION PROJECTS.