Photo by Marley Morgan
Be part of the 10th Country to Couture in 2025.
Applications are NOW CLOSED
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Where First Nations textiles, fashion and art collide in a colourful showcase of creativity from across Australia.
A celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander textiles and fashion design, Country to Couture is a contemporary way of cultural storytelling, and sharing knowledge. The high energy runway has been presented alongside the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair (DAAF) since 2016, and has come to be a highlight on the Australian fashion calendar, launching the careers of First Nations designers, artists, models and creatives.
The event is proudly supported by Country Road, and the Northern Territory Government through Northern Territory Major Events Company, and is set to return to Larrakia Country on Tuesday, 5 August, 2025.
Indigenous Fashion Projects (IFP) are excited to announce that applications are NOW OPEN to be part of the Country to Couture 2025 showcase, celebrating 10 years!
Applications closed 5.00pm ACST, 28 October 2024.
Need help preparing your application? Have questions? Take a read of our Application Guide, and join one of two Online Information Sessions, 9 October and 23 October.
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What We’re Looking For
We acknowledge that not every prompt will apply to every application but here is a guide of what the assessment panel will consider:
Innovation
- Fashion designs and techniques
- Textile design and fabric creation techniques
- Originality
- Concept and incorporation of cultural content
Quality
- Garment construction and finish
- Fabric and other materials
- Printing and dying techniques
- Cohesive collection presentation
Cultural Capability & Indigenous Agency
- Indigenous agency at all stages of the collection development
- Appropriate cultural authority to produce and present garments and accessories
- Collaborative practise incorporates appropriate acknowledgements and financial return to Indigenous partners
- Ethical practices at every stage of collection development with consideration of Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP)
Viability & Sustainability
- Capacity to produce the collection as proposed within timeframes required
- Consideration of environmental and sustainable practises in sourcing, printing and manufacturing of garments
Nagula Jarndu, photo by Dylan Buckee
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Who Can Apply?
- Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander independent designers, artists, art collectives and Art Centres
- Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island independent designers and Art Centres in ethical collaborations with non-Indigenous designers/labels where there is full agency and involvement of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants in the design process.
**Please note
Collaborations with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander artists and their artwork must provide a licencing agreement as evidence of the commissioning process.
Useful Links:
– Indigenous Fashion Projects – Learning Centre
– Arts Law – Legal Resources
– Copyright Agency
– IP Australia – Indigenous Knowledge
– Indigenous Art Code
– NAVA – Code of Practice for Visual Arts, Craft and Design
Yarrenyty Arltere, photo by Dylan Buckee
Ikuntji Artists, photo by Michael Jalaru Torres
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Read the Application Guide
Here are some tips on submitting a successful application and communicating your concept and designs.
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Join an Online Information Session
A chance to connect with the Indigenous Fashion Projects Team, learn more about the application process and Country to Couture, and ask all your questions!
Session 1 | 9 October 2024
Session 2 | 23 October 2024
Register below.
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Apply Here
Country to Couture receives an increasing number of applications each year but capacity is limited so we cannot guarantee everyone a place in our showcase. If you are not selected this year, we encourage you to participate in other opportunities facilitated by IFP and to reapply in future.
Our team are here to support you. If you have any trouble completing this form please reach out to us on c2c@daaf.com.au or 08 8981 0576, and we will help you complete the expression of interest.
We also reccomend you have a read of our Application Guide, and join one of two Online Information Sessions, 9 October and 23 October.
Applications closed Monday 28 October 2024.
SAVE THE DATE
Tuesday, 5 August, 2025
Country to Couture 2025 will return to Larrakia Country this August alongside the renowned National Indigenous Fashion Awards and Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair.
More details and ticket sales to be announced.
Photo by Dylan Buckee