Anindilyakwa Arts is a thriving hub of creativity located on the Groote Archipelago in the Gulf of Carpentaria, NT. The Warnumamalya-led creative program proudly supports local employment and encourages traditional and contemporary creative practices. Anindilyakwa Artists explore creative avenues through “old and new ways”, drawing on deep knowledge of traditional practice, and experimenting with concepts in contemporary art disciplines.

Anindilyakwa Arts proudly represents over 100 artists from communities and outstations across the Groote Archipelago.

The Bush Dye Capsule Collection, designed by Anindilyakwa Arts is a collaboration that celebrates the creativity and talent of male and female artists from across the Eylandt. Each artist has contributed their own perspective, storytelling, and traditional techniques to the collection, resulting in a truly collaborative and culturally rich fashion line.

The ready-to-wear collection explores traditional craftmanship and contemporary fashion, intertwining culture, and style. Each garment is carefully hand dyed using a variety of roots, leaves, bark and berries endemic to Eylandt, creating unique textiles that reflect the colours, textures and landscapes of Anindilyakwa Country. Each look is paired with handcrafted wearable art, created from materials sustainably harvested from across the Groote Archipelago.

This collection is presented by Ardi’ol Arts, 100% owned, managed and operated by Bardi People of the Dampier Peninsula in the Kimberley WA.

The small team of three are supported by their Bardi Elders, establishing an organisation on Bardi Country to continue to grow opportunities for their community.

“Our collection is a celebration of Bardi Culture and Country… We celebrate the colours and life of our Country, and our culture of fishing and travelling on our waters to provide for our communities.”

Featuring artworks by Ardi’ol founders Russell Davey and Ashley Hunter, the collection is proudly made in WA, designed for a family out on the water in Bardi Country.

Ardi’ol Arts specialise in making fishing shirts, shorts, sarongs, towels and hats that all celebrate Bardi identity for both adults and children.

The name Gwarli came from the Papunya family & means attractive with a beautiful energy & spirit. Joanne’s artwork represents the NT central desert people, their culture, language & Country. Passing on family stories to continue their culture & keep the culture strong.

As a child Joanne Nangala learned to paint from her mothers, Pansy & Eunice Napangardi in Papunya Alice Springs NT.  Her work today continues the story lines from mothers to daughters & into the future. 

“These are the stories of my ancestors and their relationship with the land… Moving my canvas art works across onto textiles and into fashion allows my culture to flow into the community and across people. Community, its women, and strength of the Indigenous culture has been passed down & infused onto canvas.”

Joanne’s début self-titled fashion collection features artwork that depict aspects of her Aboriginal heritage and culture. With a vibrant colour palette and unique design, the textiles are paired with elegant, yet simplistic silhouettes to accentuate the story behind the fashion.

Ikuntji Artists are proud to share their stories from their home through their designs and fabrics. This collection elevates old design traditions into something that is accessible and contemporary while sharing stories of ceremony, country and culture.

Ikuntji Artists is a not-for-profit Art Centre located in the remote Indigenous community of Haasts Bluff in Central Australia. Ikuntji was the first art centre established for women of the Western Desert art movement. Well known for their vibrant and diverse textile works, artists also work across printmaking, painting, jewellery and photography.

“Witira kanyila work as one, keep it strong.”

The concept of this collection comes from the exploration of wearable art and fostering a deeper connection of Indigenous art. The collection bridges traditional art and contemporary fashion, while interpreting and communicating place from the Western Desert to the national and international fashion world.

Iltja Ntjarra (Many Hands) is a not-for-profit Art Centre, proudly Aboriginal owned and directed. It is home of the Namatjira watercolour artists who continue to paint in the tradition of their grandfather and relative, Albert Namatjira, arguably one of Australia’s most famous artists of the 20th
century. Albert Namatjira taught his children to follow in his unique style, who have since passed this knowledge on to their children, which has resonated in a legacy of watercolour artists in the Central Desert region. By continuing his legacy, these artists sustain an important piece of living history.

Iltja Ntjarra worked in collaboration with APM employment and Disability services to provide mentorship and employment opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples expressing an interest in textile design.

Senior artist and Artistic director Dellina Inkamala and Vanessa Inkamala, along with emerging artists, Dianne Inkamala, Delray Inkamala, Mandy Malbunka worked in collaboration with APM Employment and Disability services participants, Rhonda Jones, Teresa Wilson, Lucinda Forrest, Amanda Long, David Foster Tyron Sena, Leah Johnson, Donald Kelly to create this innovative collection.

“Watercolour on paper is the foundational practice from which new and experimental practices have evolved. Our current generation of artists are responding to what influences their daily lives, culminating in a fashion collection, marrying the juxtaposition of pop culture and traditional knowledge of their Country.”

“Country to Couture is a platform that allows us to share our creative expression to a wider audience, bringing a deeper sense of pride and accomplishment.”

Mandy Malbunka stated, “I’ve just started learning how to paint animals and landscape. It’s hard, but when I painted my Emus and birds in bright colours on the fabric I thought they turned out really good, so I kept painting more and more. Now I love painting emus and birds. I think my designs are Marra inthurra (very good). I’m going to feel proud when I see them on the runway.”

Lillardia Briggs-Houston is a Wiradjuri, Gangulu, Yorta Yorta multidisciplinary artist and fashion designer based in Narrungdera/Narrandera, Wiradjuri Country. Lillardia produces all of her textile works and garments herself, on Country, adapting traditional Southeast Aboriginal cultural practices like carving, bush dying and weaving. Lillardia practices slow, respectful production to ensure her cultural integrity and sustainable values are upheld and at the forefront of her work.

Lillardia studied fashion at TAFE NSW and has a long history with garment production being taught by her trained Wiradjuri grandmother from a young age. In 2017, she merged her own storytelling through Aboriginal art with her skills in fashion and has continued to create First Nations textiles and garments that merge her love of culture and fashion ever since.

Through each of Lillardia’s culturally and environmentally sustainable textile and garments, she respectfully highlights the strength, pride, and connection that she feels as a First Nations woman with the aim to use fashion as a catalyst for change.

“The Walumarra collection is cultural heritage advocacy through fashion and textiles. We were inspired from our maternal grandmothers’ Country through cultural heritage work and wanted to shift the conversation to a more important cause to help create and contribute to conversations around the protection and preservation of First Nations Cultural heritage, particularly in NSW where we are the only state/territory without standalone First Nations cultural heritage legislation.”

Melissa Greenwood is a proud Gumbaynggirr, Dunghutti and Bundjalung Nyami (Woman) living and working on her traditional homelands, Gumbaynggirr Jagun. Together with her Miimi (Mother) Lauren Jarrett, an accomplished traditional craftswoman, she founded Miimi & Jiinda, the Indigenous art and design brand in 2018. With a business that now encompasses artwork, homewares, textiles and clothing, this year has seen the launch of their first designer collection at AAFW 23.

Honouring her deep connection to Country, Creative Director, Melissa Greenwood designs contemporary clothing and textiles to showcase and celebrate Indigenous Art and Culture. Together with the master weaving skills of Lauren Jarrett, Miimi & Jiinda produce collections that are bold, culturally relevant and empowering to wear. The brand’s name, Miimi and Jiinda, means ‘mother’ and ‘sister’ in Gumbaynggirr, reflecting the Indigenous heritage and cultural identity of the founders. The mother-daughter-duo’s designs are inspired by their personal journeys as Aboriginal women. They believe that the land we live on is everything; the earth is one’s greatest teacher, our knowledge holder, and our divine authority. In addition to their fashion and art creations, Melissa and Lauren are passionate advocates for Indigenous rights and environmental sustainability.

Influenced by the Dreaming stories and Hero Ancestors of Gumbaynggirr Country, Burraaba presents a contemporary range with printed natural fabrics and traditional woven elements. Using the Muurrabay Bundani (Tree of Life) as a motif throughout, and referencing the colours of Country, fashion is storytelling. Melissa translates her hand painted artworks using sustainable printing processes, high-quality fabrics here in Australia. Burraaba is proudly created on Gumbaynggirr and Bundjalung Nations.

Encapsulating the concept that everything on earth is interconnected and independent, this collection will be contemporary yet deeply rooted in the spirit of Country.

“Country is everything to us. It represents the essence of who we are and where we come from. Community is our people, our spirit and our sense of belonging. Culture is our passion, our fire and our desire to keep pushing for further change in this world. All of these elements strongly influence our work and are at the core of our identity as First Nations women and creators.”

FLOW! is a captivating collaborative collection by slow fashion brand Ossom and Tiwi Design, one of the oldest Aboriginal art centers in Australia. This collection seamlessly blends the realms of sport and chic, incorporating flowy silks and lightweight cottons with a sportive finish.

Drawing inspiration from the mesmerizing patterns formed by a drop of petrol on water, the collection boasts a sophisticated palette of metallic hues that exude an elevated and contemporary aesthetic. These captivating colors transport wearers into a realm of fluidity and movement.

At the heart of FLOW! lies the artistry of Tiwi Design’s renowned artists. The collection showcases three remarkable prints that encapsulate the spirit of the Tiwi culture.

The first, ‘Moon and Star,’ by Angelo Munkara, depicts the celestial cycle of the moon and stars, symbolizing the passage of time and the interconnectedness of all things. Vivid and captivating, this print captures the imagination.

Next, ‘Pwanga’, by Vivian Kerinauia, showcases the intricate beauty of a spiderweb design. Inspired by nature’s delicate craftsmanship, this print represents resilience, connectivity, and the interweaving of lives and stories.

Finally, ‘Wanarringa Sun’, by Bede Tungutalum, pays homage to the Tiwi skin group of the same name. It radiates warmth and vitality, reflecting the rich cultural heritage and vibrant energy of the Tiwi people.

In addition to these remarkable prints, FLOW! features two exclusive designs created specifically for this collection. ‘Ampitji Rainbow Serpent’ by Alan Kerinauia, and ‘Ampitji Rainbow Serpent’ by Arnold Tipiloura, are breathtaking additions that seamlessly blend traditional symbolism with contemporary flair. These designs, born in 2023, evoke a sense of wonder and awe, embodying the ongoing cultural legacy of the Tiwi community.

FLOW! represents a collaboration where slow fashion meets indigenous art, where craftsmanship meets storytelling. It is a celebration of culture, innovation, and the timeless beauty found at the intersection of fashion and art. Embrace the essence of movement, grace, and elegance with this extraordinary collection that transcends boundaries and redefines style.

Juluwarlu Art Group is an Aboriginal owned and operated organisation that works from the ancestral homeland of the artists, Yindjibarndi Country, surrounded by the nearby Millstream Tablelands and Fortescue River area. Juluwarlu was established in 2016 in response to requests from members of the Yindjibarndi community who saw the potential of art as a way of further sharing and protecting Yindjibarndi stories, culture and language. While predominantly working within the practice of acrylic painting on canvas, Juluwarlu artists have become known for their diverse art practices, which also include carved yarranga marni boards and scratchboards, wooden artefacts, fibre works, jewellery, and works on paper.

This collection see’s artist Wendy Hubert collaborate with Naarm/Melbourne based label Nancybird, by Emily Wright. Nancybird’s iconic collections reflect an innate curiosity towards artisanship, art and the natural landscape, an ethos and approach that resonated with Juluwarlu Art Group. 

“We could see in her past collaborations that she is a designer who would understand and respectfully work with Wendy’s unique style of painting and becasue their business values align perfectly with ours. ”

Wendy is a respected Yindjibarndi Elder, Cultural Custodian and Linguist who has lived passionately and supported her Roebourne and Yindjibarndi community for more than 40 years. Wendy’s artworks celebrate the 60,000 year old Yindjibarndi culture and the continuing management and care for their West Pilbara tableland Country. Depicting the landscapes on Yindjibarndi and Guruma Country, Wendy’s paintings formed the inspiration for the capsule collection Golden Hour.

“We were drawn to Wendy’s landscapes and their loose, emotive brushwork – the works transport us to this place, in the dusk or daybreak where the light falls so softly on the landscape and the deep, rich colours radiate from the sky and the earth below”.

The collection features Wendy’s artwork through digitally printed cottons, leathers and hand beading in this range of apparel and bags, and the palette for the collection are drawn from her paintings – the bright ochres, warm pinks, bright blues and soft lilacs find their way into woven checks, jersey stripes, soft corduroy and chunky crochet bags.

The collaboration has been carefully brought to life through the Juluwarlu Art Group, and the licensing agreement has been made using an Arts Law contract, the gold standard for fashion and First Nations collaborations.

Maddy Hodgetts is a Ngiyampaa/ Wangaaypuwan and Wiradjuri, artist, designer, and dancer, based in Nyngan NSW, Wangaaypuwan Country.

Maddy has been learning and practicing many aspects of her Culture from a young age, and has a long history of painting cultural designs. She is passionate about continuation and reclamation of her Culture, as well as sharing and sustaining Culture within her community. As an emerging designer, she hopes to uphold cultural values while further showcasing the beauty and importance of First Nations Culture through fashion.

Yapa Mali, meaning ‘to create art’ in Ngiyampaa language, is a collection of Maddy’s Cultural adornments, designs and prints as wearable art.

The artwork as prints depict stories of Wangaaypuwan Country with influences of traditional Western NSW styles and practices. As well as reflecting the importance of storytelling through art,
Yapa Mali strives to uphold Cultural values and sustainability by working with materials collected from Country, and by choosing sustainable options and methods to create their garments.

“We hope to encourage the presence of Culture in fashion by showcasing our stories, art and Country.”

This will be Yapa Mali’s first ever collection. Wangaaypuwan/Ngiyampaa Country will be introduced through both the artwork as prints, as well as through adornment pieces, materials and methods significant to Maddy’s Country.

“Each garment holds a story through its artwork that depicts my Wangaaypuwan Country, capturing the red and golden dirt and our rivers. The artwork exhibits influences of a traditional mapping style seen in local cave art in the Central Western NSW region, portraying a bird’s eye view of Country. The Cultural adornment pieces within the collection were created using rich source of resources from Country such as emu feathers, quandong seeds and river reed, exhibiting living practices of Culture.”