Australian fashion brand Country Road has launched its first collaboration with leading Indigenous fashion label Ngali today.
The range covers both apparel and accessories, with Ngali founder and Wiradjuri designer Denni Francisco tapping Antikirinya-Matu Yankuntjatjara artist, community leader and educator, Pearl Austin, for the design process.
Austin’s artwork, painted at Umoona Community Art Centre in Coober Pedy, forms the foundation of the collection.
According to Country Road and Francisco, the idea of a collaboration had been many years in the making. Francisco completed a mentorship with Country Road in 2021 and 2022 after winning the Fashion Design award at the National Indigenous Fashion Awards.
Since then, Francisco has hit further milestones with her label, including featuring at New York Fashion Week and even running a solo runway at Milan Fashion Week in 2022.
Francisco said the collaboration with Country Road and Austin is “the realisation of a vision of possibility and a collective journey.”
“At the heart of everything was the question, ‘How do we honour the artwork?’ The answer was to ensure Pearl’s story remained the hero at all times.”
Austin’s artwork speaks to her Country in Coober Pedy, South Australia, drawing on memories of time spent with family out on the land.
“It connects me to my Country and family,” Austin said. “I want people to understand that it’s not just art – it means something deeper. When someone wears a piece from this collection, they carry a story of my community and Country with them.”
The collaboration also represents Country Road’s ongoing commitment to supporting and amplifying First Nations voices within the fashion industry.
“It has been a joy to work alongside Denni and Pearl to bring this collection to life,” Country Road head of design (accessories), Jessica Poynter, said.
“We are honoured to play a role in showcasing First Nations storytelling through fashion, and to continue building opportunities for future generations of designers and artists.”
The Ngali x Country Road collection launches on October 13, 2025 and will be available in select Country Road stores and via the brand’s online store.