Broadway Sydney has launched a new Indigienous fashion pop-up as part of its NAIDOC Week celebrations.
Twenty Indigenous designers from different regions have teamed up to host the Indigenous Collective Pop-up Store, which houses fashion, art, accessories, jewellery and homewares.
First Nations Fashion Design (FNFD) curated the Pop-up's collection, which features brands such as MAARA Collective (Julie Shaw, Winner of the Fashion Design Award 2020 NIFA), Jarin Street (Ja Rin), AARLI (Teagan Cowlishaw), Nungala Creative (Jessica Johnson) and Grace Lillian Lee.
FNFD national coordinator Tegan Cowlishaw said that the pop-up provides designers with the opportunity to showcase their work outside of the market and festival scene.
"The Indigenous Collective Pop-up is the first of its kind, providing First Nation designers with the opportunity to step out of the art fair, markets and festival scene.
"This physical retail platform is instrumental in providing economic development within the Australian industry and allows shoppers to connect with Indigenous communities from across the country through our network of premium Indigenous brands," she said.
Alongside the pop-up, Broadway has also partnered with Boomalli Aboriginal Arts to create two Indigenous artwork installations - a digital and banner artwork by Barkindji artist Maddision Gibbs titled ‘Always was always will be’ and ‘Aboriginal Bush Lamps – Healing Gunya’ artwork pieces created by Gamilaraay/Wonnarua artist Debra Beale.
The centre will also offer free weaving workshops hosted by Wiradjuri artist, Peta-Joy Williams on November 15.
Broadway Sydney centre manager, Justine Saltmarsh said partnering with Indigenous creatives during NAIDOC Week was a great opportunity to support Indigenous businesses and communities.
"Broadway Sydney is in an incredibly unique position to provide established and emerging Indigenous artists and designers the opportunity to bring their work into the community through a physical bricks and mortar store, allowing predominantly online boutiques the opportunity to showcase their designs and test the waters in a new market.
"We wanted to ensure that our participation reflected true support.
"As a retail centre, we wanted to do more than just exhibit and showcase, we wanted to connect them to our community of consumers through two pop-up concepts and an interactive weaving workshop," she said.