First Nations talent on display at Australian Fashion Week

A smorgasbord of First Nations talent was on display Tuesday night, including designers, models and the incomparable Jess Mauboy.

Five First Nations designers put their wares on the runway last night. Source: WireImage

Following the astonishing success of last year's inaugural First Nations Fashion Design showcase, the return of Australian Fashion Week will have fashion tragics looking out for more deadly threads. 

Friday will see the major runway event again take place, but some of the country's leading First Nations designers have already had the chance to ply their wares in a showcase Tuesday night. 

An initiative of the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair Foundation, the Indigenous Fashion Projects Runway displayed the works of five designers: Kirrikin, by Wonnarua designer Amanda Healy; Liandra Swim, by Yolngu designer Liandra Gaykamangu; Maara Collective, by Yuwaalaraay designer Julie Shaw; Native Swimwear, by Biripi and Ngarabal designer Natalie Cunningham; and Ngali, by Wiradjuri designer Denni Francisco.

An item from the Ngali collection. Source: WireImage

An item from the Ngali collection. Source: WireImage

The showcase focused on sustainable practice, a driving ethos for each of the designers. 

Creative Director Shilo McNamee said the runway aesthetics were designed to take guests on an "immersive sensory journey" from the desert to the sea.

“Connection to Country is core to the artistic practice of so many First Nations designers and creatives, it’s been so rewarding to see this represented on the runway," said McNamee.

"I feel extremely grateful to have been able to work with so many talented people and to be mentored by industry leaders."

An item from the Kirrikin collection. Source: WireImage

An item in the Kirrikin collection. Source: WireImage

An item from the Native Swimwear collection. Source: WireImage

An item from the Native Swimwear collection. Source: WireImage

The designers are supported in a 'pathways' program supported by David Jones, which provides "workshops, seminars and direct mentorships with established Australian designers," the company said in a statement.

In keeping with last year's smorgasbord of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander talent, the designs were put on show by the big names in First Nations modelling, Samantha Harris, Nathan McGuire and Magnolia Maymuru.

And in a final flourish which brought a touch of Aboriginal royalty to the evening, Kuku Yalanji artist Jess Mauboy wowed the audience with a performance of her latest single, 'Automatic'.

An item from the Liandra Swim collection. Source: WireImage

An item from the Liandra Swim collection. Source: WireImage

“It was such an honour to collaborate with Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair Foundation’s Indigenous Fashion Projects and take part in this year’s IFP Runway," said Mauboy.

"I have been a long-time advocate for supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander creativity and it’s an experience that I won’t forget for a long time and an initiative that’s close to my heart.”

An item from the Maara Collective. Source: WireImage

An item from the Maara Collective. Source: WireImage

Jess Mauboy performs during the Indigenous Fashion Projects show. Source: WireImage