Returns to Larrakia Country!
Tuesday 8 August, 2023
Photo by James Giles.
The annual showcase of First Nations textiles and fashion design.
Supported by the Northern Territory Government and iconic Australian lifestyle brand Country Road.
Country to Couture is 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 event builds on the growing textile design movement in remote Indigenous communities, and has been presented alongside the annual Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair (DAAF) since 2016.
The high energy runway presents innovative collections from Indigenous designers and artists across Australia, as well as unique collaborations between Indigenous communities and well-known Australian labels.
Jessica Mauboy, DAAFF Community Ambassador, 2022, photo by Wayne Quilliam, video by Global Headquarters, with thanks to Marrawuddi Arts & Culture
Country to Couture returns to Larrakia Country with a record 22 collections across TWO different shows on Tuesday, 8 August, 2023!
The Details:
Venue: Darwin Convention Centre, Exhibition Hall 1, 10 Stokes Hill Road, Darwin, NT, 0800
Tickets: $40-$85 via Darwin Festival
Show 1: 5.00 pm – Tuesday 8 August 2023
Show 2: 8.00 pm – Tuesday 8 August 2023
Doors open 30 mins before the show, each show duration 1 hour, 15 mins. Each show presents different collections.
The Collections:
Show 1:
- Bábbarra Women’s Centre, with Raw Cloth, Jemimah Jemimah, Young Daluk, and The Social Studio, ‘Daluk’
- DandalooSu, by Su Lousick, ‘Ode to The Song, Why I Wear Black, by Johnny Cash’
- Injalak Arts Centre, ‘Rarrk’
- JAG X Lucy Simpson, ‘Of Place’
- Jedindi, by Jedess Hudson, ‘Bijarril: To Dream’
- Nagula Jarndu, ‘Balu Burugun’ (Plants From Country)
- Numus Designs, by Naomy Briston, ‘Larrakia Gulumoerrgin Seasons’
- Datlarwa Designs, by Chantelle Amos x Yvonne Odegaard, ‘Gun-gwa Gwoyelwa Gulumoerrgin (This is Larrakia Country)’
- Yarrabah Arts & Cultural Precinct, ‘Immersion’
- Yarrenyty Arltere Artists, ‘Tharrama’ (Smile)
- Yinjaa-Barni Art, ‘JinaJina’
Show 2:
- Anindilyakwa Arts, ‘Bush Dye Capsule Collection’
- Ardi’ol Arts, ‘Bardi Way’
- Gwarli Nangala, by Joanne Gwarli Nangala, ‘Gwarli Nangala’
- Hope Vale Art & Culture Centre x QUT, ‘Gumbiil, String, The Ties That Bind us Together’
- Ikuntji Artists, ‘lkuntji Collection’
- Iltja Ntjarra Art Centre, ‘Tnuntha nurnakanha’ (Our Animals)
- Lillardia Briggs-Houston, ‘Walumarra’
- Miimi & Jiinda, by Melissa Greenwood and Lauren Jarrett, ‘Burraaba’ (Unearth)
- Tiwi Designs x Ossom, ‘Flow and Go’
- Wendy Hubert x Nancybird in Collaboration with Juluwarlu Art Group
- Yapa Mali, by Maddy Hodgetts, ‘Yapa Mali’
Supported by
An Umbrella Event of
Country to Couture News
See Backstage at Country to Couture 2023
Country to Couture returned to Larrakia Country this August with a record 22 collections across two sold out runways. Each year excitement builds and we get to celebrate and witness innovative collections that transform cultural storytelling and knowledge into...
Country to Couture Show 2: Meet the Designers & Artists
Image | Miimi and Jiinda, Photo by Tom PatersonCountry to Couture returns to Larrakia Country with a record 22 collections across TWO different shows on Tuesday, 8 August, 2023. Get to know the amazing First Nations designers, Art Centres and artists who'll be part of...
Country to Couture Show 1: Meet the Designers & Artists
Image | Hayley Mulardy in Tartaku (bush coconut) silk hat and fabric, Nagula Jarndu, Photographer Michael Torres.Country to Couture returns to Larrakia Country with a record 22 collections across TWO different shows on Tuesday, 8 August, 2023. Get to know the amazing...
Country to Couture in 2022
In 2022, Country to Couture took place at the Darwin Convention Centre on the 3 August. The night saw TWO sold out runway shows, together showcasing 16 First Nations collections. Creative Direction from Shilo McNamee took audiences on a journey across Country, from Dawn to Dusk…
Country to Couture in 2021
In 2021, Country to Couture took place at the Darwin Convention Centre on the 4 August, drawing together a record crowd on Larrakia Country to see 13 First Nations collections!
Country to Couture in 2020
Country to Couture returned in 2020 and made its way into 2021 with a national broadcast through NITV on Facebook!
Ending the year in style, the annual fashion event took place once again on Larrakia country, with an intimate showcase in Darwin in December 2020. Celebrating and sharing the stories of the incredible First Nations designers and artists involved through the digital broadcast in 2021, the showcase also made its debut in Melbourne with an exclusive screening.