Since 2020, First Nations labels have enjoyed a stratospheric rise. But more work is needed to help young designers survive in the fashion industry.
Barely 10 weeks in, and this year is looking just as fruitful. In January, Julie Shaw of Maara Collective won her category in the International Design Awards, and, last month, The Iconic launched the first brands to graduate from its First Nations incubator program: Pink Fish, Myrrdah and Jarawee.at the Melbourne Fashion Festival.
Fresh threads … Nathan McGuire with model Joshua wearing Solid Ochre, and model Portia wearing Lychee Alkira by Renee Henderson. Both brands feature in the Mob in Fashion runway at the Melbourne Fashion Festival.The growth of Indigenous fashion, especially since the 2020 Black Lives Matter demonstrations, Ripper says, has put added pressure on designers to meet demand, or risk falling into obscurity.
On Thursday, a group of emerging Indigenous designers, including McGuire and his label, Solid Ochre, will feature in the Emerging Mob in Fashion runway at the Melbourne Fashion Festival. The group show follows an appearance by Ngali in Monday’s opening group runway. It is expected at least one Indigenous brand will stage a solo show at Australian Fashion Week when the program is announced next week.