Barunga Festival launches runway project led by Tiwi model Cassie Black

An internationally acclaimed Tiwi model will be heading up this year’s new fashion talent program at a Top end festival. Find out how to apply.

A new program is being launched at Barunga Festival this year. Picture: NewsWire / Glenn Campbell

Ever dreamt about striding down a runway or going behind the scenes in the world of modelling?

At this year’s Barunga Festival, 10 aspiring fashionistas will be getting the chance to do just that.

All under the professional eye of Tiwi woman and internationally acclaimed model, Cassie Black.

The exciting new modelling initiative is being launched as part of Barunga Festival 2025 from June 6 to 9, which this year is marking the homecoming of iconic Territory musician Sammy Tjapanangka Butcher.

Through the talent discovery project called Barunga Next Top Model: Unearthed – 10 local Aboriginal participants will get the opportunity to experience modelling first-hand.

And there to lead them through it all will be Cassie Puruntatameri, professionally known as Cassie Black.

Cassie Puruntatameri, known professionally as Cassie Black, will be mentoring participants. Picture: (A)manda Parkinson

After first being discovered on a Melbourne tram in 2017 by Perina Drummond of Jira Models, Cassie has built an impressive career on the global fashion stage.

The model from a community of fewer than 450 people has walked runways at Australian Fashion Week and international events in Europe and signed with Chadwick Models.

Throughout her career, Cassie has been a champion for First Nations representation in the fashion world.

Alongside her modelling, she has run workshops for emerging Indigenous talent and helped mentor at events such as Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair and Country to Couture.

This year she is bringing her expertise back to Country to help mentor the next generation of Aboriginal fashion talent.

Hoping to provide Aboriginal young people with not just the skills but also the confidence and cultural-grounding to navigate the fashion industry, Cassie said it was an important program.

“This is about more than modelling, it’s about cultural pride, self-expression, and opening doors for young people from remote communities who might not see themselves represented in fashion,” said Cassie.

“I’m honoured to walk alongside them on this journey.”

The models will also participate in photo shoots with photographers Dave Blake and Grace Fox and will be modelling textiles and accessories from local art centres and fashion labels including the House of Darwin.

Aspiring models of all experience are encouraged to apply. Applicants must be available for the dates of Barunga Festival.

To find out more or to submit your application, click here.

Originally published as Barunga Festival launches runway project led by Tiwi model Cassie Black