In this NAIDOC Week Special, Ragtrader shows how the fashion industry is supporting First Nations culture and community through collaborations, events and storytelling.
The Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair (DAAF) is marking 10 years of its Country to Couture showcase in 2025.
This year’s show will cover two grouped runway shows, featuring 22 First Nations collections from across the country, alongside professional development opportunities within the event team.
Both runways will take place on August 5 during the 5-day fair, with both shows already sold out.
For the last ten years, Country to Couture has platformed over 120 fashion collections, with more than 1,000 unique looks worn by more than 250 First Nations models down the runway.
According to DAAF, the runway has sparked major industry collaborations, promoted emerging Indigenous fashion businesses, launched countless careers and created new pathways in the industry.
The DAAF Foundation’s community ambassador and Wakaman and KuKu Yalanji woman Jessica Mauboy, is especially keen to see the tenth iteration of Country to Couture.
“I’m absolutely thrilled to see the incredible talent platformed by Indigenous Fashion Projects each August,” Mauboy said. “It’s so empowering for our communities to be able to see First Nations designers, artists, models and creatives dreaming big and getting the recognition they deserve.”
Indigenous Fashion Projects manages the DAAF event, with manager Michelle Maynard saying they have a dynamic styling team for our 2025 shows, which includes Lindyn Rowland as head stylist and Jake Powers as assistant stylist, with both in developing roles under the mentorship of Karinda Mutabazi.
“The team are bringing a fresh, creative vision to the shows with depth, meaning and vibrancy, and we continue to grow our workforce in specialised roles,” Maynard said.
“It’s hard to believe Country to Couture began as a modest showcase nestled amongst the Art Centre booths at the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair in 2016, and is now the largest showcase of Indigenous fashion in Australia. This is a moment for us all to reflect, acknowledge and show our respect for all the work that has been done by so many, so far. A moment to share celebration and excitement for the future.”
In 2024, the Fair hosted a record-breaking 80 Art Centres, collectively representing 1,800 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander creatives, showcasing over 14,700 beautiful artworks. It achieved over $4.378 million in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art sales and injected a further $11.3 million into the Northern Territory economy.
The two runway shows include ‘Threads of Country’ and ‘Rising Colours: The BLAK Party’.
The first show includes:
- Bula'bula Arts x Black Cat Couture, ‘Garkambarryirri’ (Daybreak)
- Corella & Crow, by Rechelle Turner and Megan Daley, ‘Nguramban-Dhi (From Country)’
- Delvene Cockatoo-Collins, ‘Warrajamba - A Mermaid in the Bay'
- Eleraze Creatives, by Sonya Coleman, Sonearae Bilney and Tallulah Bilney, ‘Tjindu’
- Girringun Aboriginal Art Centre, ‘Murrgan’
- Jarli, by Corina Jadai, ‘Echoes of the Tide’
- KingKing Creative, by Sarrita and Tarisse King, MAJU KARLAJ (sister sister)
- Nangarri Designs, by Rowena Morgan, ‘Connection to Taam (Country)’
- Simone Thomson Art, ‘Nugal Biik’ (Belongs to Country)
- Yanggurdi, by Cassie Leatham, ‘Biik’
The second show includes:
- Sandra Delaney & Shara Delaney, Salt Water Murris Quandamooka, ‘Tabilbahn Yunggulba’ (Saltwater Tidal)
- Goompi’s Girl, by Nicole Enoch-Chatfield, ‘Kanyarra’
- Jaru Girl Designs, by Bianca Long and Jaydene Long, ‘Milky Water’’
- Kourt, by Cortney Glass, ‘Dreaming of Home’
- Magpie Goose x Quandamooka Artists, by Amanda Hayman & Troy Casey
- Mimmim x TATIA, by Mim Cole and Tatiana Hoffmann, ‘Sunset Healing’
- Mowanjum Arts and Cultural Centre x PaletTheory, ‘Return to Country’
- Nagula Jarndu Designs, ‘Jarndunil/Saheli Yagarramaguranjin’ (women/friends are creating together)
- Simone Arnol, ‘Butterfly Kisses’
- Tjarlirli & Kaltukatjara Art, ‘Pirriya’
- Yarrabah Arts & Cultural Precinct, ‘Fire in the Sky’