COUNTRY TO COUTURE
31 Aug 2023
It was an honor to be a part of the Indigenous Fashion Projects runway show this August, showcasing our JAG x GAAWAA MIYAY capsule, titled 'Of Place'.
Country to Couture is a runway show held on Larrakia Country in Darwin, where First Nations textiles, fashion and art collide in a colourful showcase of creativity from across Australia. Country to Couture is a contemporary way of cultural storytelling, and sharing knowledge. The event builds on the growing textile design movement in remote Indigenous communities, and has been presented alongside the annual Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair (DAAF) since 2016.
The high energy runway presents innovative collections from Indigenous designers and artists across Australia, as well as unique collaborations between Indigenous communities and well-known Australian labels. This was an incredibly special place to launch our capsule with Yuwaalaraay artist and design collaborator Lucy Simpson.
Valerie Mafue on the runway wearing our coveted Yawa-Li cutout dress, as seen in The Daily Telegraph. Available now. Styled back with bespoke (ethically sourced) kangaroo leather necklaces.
The models are wearing curated looks from the collection, styled with bespoke hand dyed & repurposed dead stock with ethically sourced kangaroo leather accessories made by Lucy Simpson of Gaawaa Miyay.
Model is wearing the mia garaarr lounge shirt and riley drawcord pant. Available now online and in-store.
The week was finished off with the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair, where we saw First Nations singer, songwriter and actress, as well as DAAFF ambassador, Jessica Mauboy, wearing our must-have Garaarr set.
Brought to you by the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair Foundation (DAAFF) as part of Indigenous Fashion Projects, supported by the Northern Territory Government and Country Road. An umbrella event of Darwin Festival.
Photographed by Dylan Buckee and Marley Morgan.