David Jones’ Indigenous Fashion Projects (IFP) runway is one of the most highly-anticipated shows in the Australian Fashion Week schedule — and for good reason.
Since its inception four years ago, the runway has served as a platform to debut the collections of designers who are part of the IFP Pathways Program — an initiative conceived by the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair to foster the talents of emerging First Nations Designers.
The 2024 program showcased pieces from designers Gali Swimwear, Ihraa Swim, Joseph & James, Lazy Girl Lingerie, and Miimi and Jiinda. Guided by this year’s theme, ‘In Relation Way,’ each designer was invited to weave stories of legacy, matriarchy, honour, connection, and Country into their pieces. The result? Five unique but deeply interconnected collections.
Below, marie claire Australia sat down with this year’s designers ahead of their Australian Fashion Week debut.
Cassandra Pons, Lazy Girl Lingerie
How does it feel to be showing at AFW in 2024?
It is truly an honour to be showing at AFW 2024 especially alongside my fellow First Nations designers in the IFP runway. AFW is the mecca of fashion where the whole industry comes together to showcase fresh ideas and I am just so thrilled to be a part of it!
What inspired your collection?
I am showcasing a new collection called ‘Ocean Eyes’. A step in a new direction, this collection feels ethereal, elegant and relaxed. It features natural fibre fabrics in a calming palette that help to share my brand’s message of caring for country through the clothing we adorn ourselves in. This collection explores the connection we feel to the ocean, urging us to consider the impact the clothing we wear has on the environment. It feels playful and fun drawing inspiration from the beauty of nature that surrounds us.
Which is your favourite look or piece from the collection? What makes you proudest?
I created a beautiful orange robe from a stunning natural fibre muslin cotton. It feels dramatic yet ethereal with cascading sleeves and a full, dramatic skirt and I just can’t wait to see it come down the runway! What makes me proudest is being showcased among my fellow Pathways Program designers in the Indigenous Fashion Projects runway and the opportunity to represent First Nations fashion and design at AFW.
Juanita Page, Joseph & James
How does it feel to be showing at AFW in 2024?
It’s an honour to showcase alongside the other deadly creatives. I’ve really valued getting to know the designers within this cohort. We each bring something different to the table – design, storytelling, knowledge – and being a part of a collective experience like the Indigenous Fashion Projects Pathways Program has helped to form some great connections that will continue outside of the program. I think it also provides a great opportunity to shine a light on how First Nations designers aren’t just one thing – we all bring our own flavour to the table and there’s beauty to be found in the curiosities of how we each showcase and honour our culture through what we do.
What inspired your collection?
Part Three: The Josephs, explores my generational history and is inspired by key eras that my grandfather and father lived through as they each navigated early adulthood as Aboriginal, South Sea Islander and Samoan men in Mackay, Queensland. Both bearers of the name ‘Joseph’, this is a collection that will serve as a thank you, an appreciation for the sacrifices made by the men that paved the way for me to step into the richness of life and opportunities that were out of reach in their time.
Were there any collaborators, contributors or muses you’d like to shout out?
With my dad and Pop being the muses behind the storytelling for this collection, it really highlighted that I’m a product of the legacies of my ancestors. I am who I am today and have the opportunities I have access to, because of them. There’s a unique quality about cultures that can foster things like freedom, empowerment, and celebration, when the odds are stacked against them. My Aboriginal and South Sea Islander roots absolutely imbue those values – it’s present in their resilience, pride, and spirit. I consider it a privilege to continue their legacies through a creative platform like JOSEPH & JAMES, while also feeling a responsibility to carry the baton of those values until I can pass it on through my own legacy.
What do you hope to see more of in the Australian Fashion Industry going forward?
There aren’t many homegrown menswear labels in Australia, so even from that perspective alone, I’d love to see the market embrace the offering that’s available from local designers and in turn open opportunities for more fantastic menswear labels enter the space. We have a lot to offer in both local and international markets, and I’d love to see this avenue of the industry grow into the potential it has.
David Leslie, Gali
How does it feel to be showing at AFW in 2024?
It’s always exciting to show at Australian Fashion Week! We’re really honoured that we were invited back to showcase another collection as part of the David Jones Indigenous Fashions Project (IFP) runway).
We’re really proud to showcase a contemporary collection with a huge range of vibrant colours. GALI is known for its bold prints, but we’re experimenting with a new medium of art (photography) – it feels like a huge achievement that we’ve been able to produce something ‘new’ that still feels very GALI!
What inspired this collection?
We wanted this runway to feel different to last year’s collection, while still feeling like a part of the GALI brand. Partnering with Jasmine Miikika Craciun felt like the best way we could achieve that.
Jasmine is a Barkinji and Malangapa artist we have previously collaborated with for our Para-Kiira Baaka collection, so we knew her designs would feel very GALI-esque. However for this collection we are experimenting with photographic manipulation, something we haven’t shown before as part of GALI.
Most people associate Indigenous art with paintings, so we really wanted to expand people’s understanding and appreciation for what contemporary Indigenous art looks like!
What are some of the key features, themes and details of your collection?
We always try to make sure our collections and runways connect to one of our core values. This year it’s: Country.
We treat our collections as storytelling experiences, and the story we (and Jasmine) wanted to tell down the runway was about connection to land and water. For Indigenous people Country is an important part of our culture. This collection speaks to the deep respect our communities hold for Country, and for the importance of sustainability in preserving what we have for our future generations.
Jasmine did an amazing job developing prints that are beautiful and intriguing. Each print is a different photograph of Country and we’ve played with colour and dimensions to translate each print to turn it into something new. We’re really excited to show what we’ve done!
What do you hope to see more of in the Australian Fashion Industry going forward?
Sustainability is at the heart of what we do, and I really hope that more of the industry continues to implement initiatives that both decrease our impact on our environment and creates opportunities to give back to the community. For us, we’re trying to be a brand that has a positive impact. We ethically collaborate with artists who earn a royalty from every product made, and we donate proceeds back to their community or to initiatives of their choosing. We make sure we use recycled and sustainable materials in the products we manufacture, as part of our commitment to caring for Country.
Additionally, I hope that the Australian Fashion Industry continues to recognise and appreciate the rich cultural and creative talents of First Nations people.
Nat Dann, Irrah Swim
What inspired your collection?
The textures of Port Hedland’s sand dunes inspired our print design, with intricate patterns and ridges formed by winds, weather and shadows. We captured this natural beauty in a bold, graphic print with a grunge-abstract feel, experimenting with techniques to recreate the dunes’ textures. The result is a unique, high-contrast print with undulating lines that evoke the rugged Australian outback with a rebellious, edgy twist.
What are some of the key features, themes and details of the collection?
The Wildscape collection is bold and edgy. We’ve used bold prints to capture the rugged beauty of country. The collection is all about embracing individuality and having a rebellious spirit.
Can you tell us about your creative process in ideating and creating this collection?
Creating the Wildscapes collection was a deeply personal journey for me. I drew inspiration from the Australian outback’s rugged beauty, but I didn’t want to simply replicate its textures and patterns. Instead, I aimed to capture its essence through an abstract lens, reimagining the country’s raw, untamed spirit in a modern, avant-garde way.
Throughout the process, I remained true to my vision, blending tradition and innovation to create a collection that’s both a tribute to the land and a reflection of my own creative expression.
What do you hope to see more of in the Australian Fashion Industry going forward?
As an Aboriginal fashion designer, I want to see my people and our culture valued and respected in the Australian Fashion Industry. It’s time for us to share our stories, showcase our talents, and be celebrated for who we are. I hope to see more Indigenous designers given opportunities, collaborating with our communities, and sharing our stories through fashion. And most importantly, I want to see more Indigenous faces and voices leading the industry, making decisions, and shaping its future. We are the caretakers of this land and its stories. There is alot we offer the Australian Fashion landscape.
Melissa Greenwood and Lauren Jarrett, Miimi and Jiinda
What inspired your collection?
We are a Matriarchal culture and I want to tell stories of strong, heart-centred women. I wanted to tell stories from my family’s homelands. The name of our collection “Yarilla” is a Gumbaynggirr word meaning to “light up and illuminate”.
What are some of the key features, themes and details of the collection?
Throughout the collection you will see beautiful blue and green hues representing our gaagal (oceans) and bindarray (rivers). Earthy pinks, browns and yellows of our beautiful Miimi Maaral (Mother Earth), we have chosen natural sustainable fabrics, gorgeous soft linens and flowing silks. celebrating our beautiful Gumbaynggirr culture on the mid north coast.
Which is your favourite look or piece from the collection? What makes you proudest?
My hand painted Wedding inspired dress, a lot of love went into making it. I can’t wait to see the beautiful First Nations model wearing it proudly.
Can you tell us about your creative process in ideating and creating this collection?
The story telling behind each artwork is so inspiring. Where I always start. The artworks always come first and finding the right ways to bring across to each style through design and textile development is such a fun process. With this collection I started at the elements that define us, our land, our strong women and inspiring stories from our ancestors.
What do you hope to see more of in the Australian Fashion Industry going forward?
I would love to see more opportunities like these for First Nations creatives and especially our youth who are interested in pursuing these careers. It’s harder and harder financially for young people, especially mob, to learn these skills and trades. It’s so important in keeping culture strong.
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