First Nations designer Colleen Tighe Johnson to showcase at Country To Couture runway

Phoebe Blogg Published August 2, 2024 at 11.00am (AWST)

fashion

First Nations Fashion designer Colleen Tighe Johnson. (Image: Buluuy Mirrii)

After a busy 2023 showcasing her designs on New York Fashion Week's Flying Solo runway, First Nations Fashion designer Colleen Tighe Johnson is set to showcase her brand, Buluuy Mirrii at Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair's Country to Couture runway.

Johnson, a proud Gomeroi woman hailing from the NSW town of Moree has grown 'Buluuy Mirri' (meaning Black Star in Gomeroi) to international status.

"Coming off the back end of New York Fashion Week has been very beneficial for Buluuy Mirrii knowing we were able to get worldwide exposure and provided more opportunities," Johnson told Style Up.

Although this is the designer's second time showcasing her designs on the Country to Couture catwalk, this year Johnson will be presenting Buluuy Mirrii's new collection, Seven Sisters.

"This is the first Australian launch of the Seven Sisters collection. The story behind the collection is the story of the Seven Sisters that runs through the centre of Australia and through the middle of Gomeroi Country," she said.

Colleen Tighe Johnson behind the scenes at the Flying Solo runway in New York. (Image: Terri Creatives)

Buluuy Mirrii on the Flying Solo runway in New York City. (Image: Brian Ach / Getty Images)

Celebrated as one of the First Nation fashion community's most prominent events, the opportunity to showcase at Country to Couture highlights Jonhson's growth as both a designer and creative.

Having been presented alongside the annual Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair (DAAF) since 2016, Country to Couture is a significant event which only the top performing emerging and established designers attend.

Looking forward to her brand walking to the runway, Johnson said she is doing everything to prepare for the event. The talented designer is also looking forward to connecting with fellow First Nations designers and industry contacts.

"The Buluuy Mirrii team has been preparing for Country to Couture to connect and come together to celebrate and share our cultural stories with follow designers showcasing on the biggest cultural platform with designers from all over the nation," she said.

Buluuy Mirrii on the Country to Couture runway in 2022. (Image: Getty Images)

With Buluuy Mirrii growing in both status and success, the debut of the Seven Sisters collection is sure to gain the attention of both new and returning customers.

With hype surrounding how Johsnon will execute and display this collection on the runway, she said everything stems back to her culture, as it is her primary source of influence and inspiration.

"Culture is my influencer, it develops my creativity, it outlines my unique cultural storytelling through fashion," she said.

The new Seven Sisters collection by Buluuy Mirrii will be presented at Country to Couture's Boundless runway on Tuesday 6 August 2024.

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