3 days ago
Country to Couture fashion show puts First Nations artists in spotlight
This week marks the 10th anniversary of Darwin's biggest fashion show, Country to Couture, with the event shining a spotlight on some of Australia's finest First Nations artists.
Twenty collections were featured across two sold-out runway shows, with more than 80 artists involved in their creation — from independent creatives to established brands and those who have developed their work through community art centres.
Claire Summers, executive director of the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair Foundation, which established the Country to Couture event, said it "started with very humble beginnings and has now turned into a spectacular".
Reflecting on its origins, Ms Summers said the Country to Couture runway shows were "borne out of a re-emergence of textile designs" across the country following the global financial crisis.
"A lot of art centres found that they needed to diversify what they were doing to be able to reach new audiences," Ms Summers said.
"What we saw was art centres taking on textile design as part of their core business and part of the mediums that they were supporting artists to work on out in community.
"Before long, the art centres started to say to us, 'We need somewhere to be able to showcase and celebrate our beautiful textiles. We want a runway.'
"So, back in 2016, in the heart of the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair, nestled amongst all the art booths, we had our very first Country to Couture runway."
Ms Summers said in large part, Country to Couture aimed to "make a great bridge" between textile fashion design and the "fine art market".
Here's a look at this year's collections.
SHOW 1
Murrgan by Girringun Aborignal Art Centre
Nugal Biik (Belongs to Country) by Simone Thomson
Echoes of the Tide by Jarli (Designers: Corina Jadai for her brand)
Garkambarryirri (Daybreak) by Bula'bula Arts x Black Cat Couture
Nguramban-Dhi (From Country) by Corella & Crow (Designers: Rechelle Turner and Megan Daley)
Warrajamba - A Mermaid in the Bay by Delvene Cockatoo-Collins
Maju Karlaj (sister sister) by KingKing Creative (Designers: Sarrita King and Tarisse King)
Connection to Taam (Country) by Nangarri Designs (Designer: Rowena Morgan)
Biik by Yanggurdi (Designer: Cassie Leatham)
SHOW TWO
Milky Water by Jaru Girl Designs
Return to Country by Mowanjum Arts and Cultural Centre x PaletTheory
Pirriya by Tjarlirli & Kaltukatjara Art
Kanyarra by Goompi's Girl (Designer: Nicole Enoch-Chatfield)
Tabilbahn Yunggulba (Saltwater Tidal) by Sandra and Shara Delaney
Magpie Goose x Quandamooka Artists
Fire in the Sky by Yarrabah Arts & Cultural Precinct
Tjindu (Sun) by Eleraze Creatives (Designers: Sonya Coleman, Sonearae Bilney, Tallulah Bilney)
Jarndunil / Saheli Yagarramaguranjin (women / friends are creating together) by Nagula Jarndu Designs
Sunset Healing by Mimmim x TATIA (Designers: Mim Cole and Tatiana Hoffmann)
Butterfly Kisses by Simone Arnol
