Indigenous designers storm the runway

Indigenous creatives were front and centre as fashion week kicked off in Australia's most stylish city.

First Nations designers marked a fashion week first on the catwalk.

Naarm Fashion Week (otherwise known as Melbourne or M/FW) has kicked off, and Indigenous creatives were front and centre on the streets of Australia’s most stylish city.

Dominating the opening show held at Urban Garden Runway at Wesley Place, the stellar line up included veteran First Nations designers with newcomers, among a number of Australian fashion labels.

With over 600 designers populating the city, the opening show marked a fashion week first, as two Indigenous designers appeared at the helm of opening and closing the catwalk.

Gomeroi fashion designer Colleen Tighe Johnson debuted her new collection for label Buluuy Mirrii, pairing vibrant hues and bold textures, with intrinsic graphics printed on one-off garments. 

The label seeks to express powerful Dreaming stories through fashion, promoting the revival of Gomeroi culture and centering sustainable production practices.

The brand’s name translates lates to “Black Star” in Gomeroi, a motif featured across a range of tailored shirts, summer dresses, and bandeau tops.

Two-time National Indigenous Fashion Award winner Ngali closed the show, revealing her new collection, with fabrics evoking the beauty of the natural world and paying homage to the Kimberleys.

Ngali’s founder and designer, Wiradjuri woman Denni Francisco, has previously noted the brand's mission to create sustainable garments that celebrate the artistry of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander creatives through clothing.

Indigenous fashion designer Colleen Johnson of Buluuy Mirrii Designs with models showcasing her work. Picture: QUT Creative Enterprise Australia

The designers appeared alongside nine other top tier Australian designers including ACLER, AAFW Next Gen recipient for 2022 Asiyam, Atoir, Kuwaii, Morrison, Viceta Wang, Toran nce, Dom Bagnato and Gorman.

A Ganbu Marra (First Nations) Runway will occur on Saturday 15, spotlighting emerging Indigenous designers over two sessions, to celebrate the next generation of creatives.

During the closing show for the week-long affair, ARIA Award-winning Indigenous Australian artist and this year’s M/FW ambassador, Thelma Plum, will perform against a glimmering backdrop of ten Australian established fashion houses, including Adrian Norris and Edwina Forest’s Aje, Alice McCall, Bianca Spender, Carla Zampatti, Leo Lin, L’Idée, Maara Collective, Mariam Seddiq, Nevenka, and Martin Grant.

M/FW runs from 10-16 October.