You only have to look at Australia’s thriving Indigenous fashion community to know how art and design can be a cause for connection.
Recently, big name brands have been teaming up with Indigenous artists to create stunning collections that have also worked to break down barriers in the Australian fashion industry.
Last year, Gorman teamed up with Indigenous artists from Mangkaja Arts Centre and most recently, Adairs partnered with Miimi and Jiinda on a homewares range.
These collaborations not only provide visibility to artists whose work has not typically been in the mainstream, but it also showcases the diversity of Indigenous arts and fashion.
Beyond the occasional collaboration, there are many brands and social enterprises run by Indigenous and non-Indigenous people that continually work to showcase their art.
We’ve rounded up a few of our favourites as well as some recent collaborations worth checking out.
Clothing the Gap x Frank Green
Clothing the Gap is a Victorian Aboriginal-owned and led social enterprise. Clothing The Gap is a play on the words “Closing the Gap”, which is the Australian Government health initiative to help close the life expectancy gap between Aboriginal people and non-Indigenous Australians.
They’ve recently joined forces with reusable cup and bottle brand frank green on a ceramic cup to commemorate NAIDOC week. The cup comes in two sizes – small and large – and has a button top lid and is branded with, ‘Always was, always will be’ to share the important message.
Kip and Co x Bábbarra
Kip and Co recently launched a stunning collection of bedspreads in collaboration with artists from the Bábbarra Women’s Centre. The range showcases their contemporary art and tells the ancestral stories of Arnhem Land counties and cultures. All profits from the collaboration are split equally 50/50. You can also learn more about the artists and their designs on Kip and Co’s website.
Maxwell and Willams x Melanie Hava
Australian homewares brand Maxwell & Williams has collaborated with artist Melanie Hava on a range called Jugaig-Bana-Wabu (Earth-Water-Rainforest). Hava’s work is influenced by her Indigenous Mamu mother and her latest work uses vibrant colours to re-create her hometown in Northern Queensland. The collection showcases her art on mugs, coasters, tea towels and water bottles. The collection is set to launch on October 5.
Ginny’s Girl Gang
Founder and designer Regina Jones is an Indigenous Australian and aunty to three little girls, who together call themselves ‘Ginny’s Girl Gang’. Her brand was created to elevate Indigenous culture, positivity, respect, and love with a gorgeous line-up of clothes for all ages. The denim jackets with powerful statements have been featured in fashion magazines around the world.
One of Twelve
One of Twelve is a social enterprise working to provide more exposure to Indigenous artists from the Asia Pacific Region. It produces high-quality silk garments in collaboration with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art centres. It also showcases traditional, intricately-woven bilum bags made by women in Papua New Guinea. Every artist receives royalties and is featured on their website with links to their representing galleries.
Concrete Jellyfish x Rachael Sarra
Australian-based design studio Concrete Jellyfish is so popular its collections often sells out for months. Its recent collaboration with artist Rachael Sarra, a contemporary Aboriginal artist from Goreng Goreng Country, sold out within minutes! Sarra’s work is feminine and fun and she draws strongly on her heritage. Her work challenges what it means to be Aboriginal as she explores themes of societal perception. Let’s hope a restock drops soon!
Adairs x Miimi and Jiinda
Adairs has partnered up with Indigenous artists and mother-daughter duo Miimi and Jiinda on a homewares collection. The line-up includes quilted organic cotton bedlinen, cushions, table lights, and home fragrances. All items showcase original artwork by Lauren Jarrett and Melissa Greenwood of Miimi and Jiinda. The collection released on September 24.
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