Wiradjuri and Maori designer Ngaire Pakai reveals 'Way of Waybarra' collection at Country to Couture

Phoebe Blogg Published August 5, 2026 at 6.30am (AWST)

fashion

A model wearing a backless design by Ngaire Pakai, on the Country to Couture runway. (Image: Dylan Buckee)

Proud Wiradjuri and Māori designer Ngaire Pakai brought her creative flare to the Country to Couture runway.

Having worked as a cultural facilitator for seven years at Speaking in Colour, and now as a producer and host at NITV Radio, Pakai recently turned to design.

"I applied to be a possible design for Country to Couture in December 2025, with a portfolio of ideas and already created items that mob may have seen already posted online," Pakai told National Indigenous Times.

"In February I found I was selected as a designer for the 2026 runway. I fortunately was already settled in a shared studio space at The Creator Incubator as one of two First Nations Artists in Residence, myself and Jasmine Christie, where in this space I have been weaving, sewing, dying and crafting up my collection.

"I don't really have a brand in an established or any kind of professional way, but... in the past year I have had to back myself by committing more time on my art rather than letting them stay as sketches or a list of ideas.

"I learnt weaving as a practice when I joined a revitalisation program in the Hunter region, being taught by Aunty Daniella Chedzey and Cherie Mclaren. From then I spent even years as an Aboriginal cultural facilitator teaching and learning for myself weaving, possum skin cloak making and cultural capacity training."

*Wiradjuri and Maori designer Ngaire Pakai, designs on the Country to Couture runway. (Image: Dylan Buckee)*

Although this is not Pakai's first time at Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair (DAAF), it is the first time she has participated in Country to Couture.

"This isn't my first time experiencing DAAF, last year I got a taste of the events for a few days," she said.

"I was a finalist for the NIFAs for the category of Traditional Adornments and was nominated for a woven hat I created.

"But this is the first time being at any of the other events like County to Couture which will be over two days now, as well as Darrandarra - All of Us: Tri Nations Symposium."

*Ngaire Pakai, designs on the Country to Couture runway. (Image: Dylan Buckee)*

Pakai was proud to present her Way of Waybarra collection.

"My collection is Way of Waybarra, this is the Wiradjuri word for weaving," she said.

"The pieces I have created are woven, sewn, dyed and made from natural or reclaimed materials.

"The star of each look is the weavings, most of which are intricately woven designs that tell a story of connection to Country, land, waterways and identity.

"You will also see some pieces that are made with finely twined rope, some that are naturally dyed as well ass looks that are very fun and cheeky."

*Model Tiesha Hewitt on the Country to Couture runway wearing Ngaire Pakai, designs. (Image: Dylan Buckee)*

When it came to curating the new collection, Pakai said it was a lengthy yet rewarding process for each garment.

"The making process was both so energising and exhausting. It took a lot of time, materials and steps in each of the processes that each full look has needed," she said.

"Though weaving is my love and life, its hard on my hands making the dry, cracked and cramped, so I really enjoyed dying fabrics and raffia.

" I dye using natural and native materials like gum leaves, flowers, bark and sap.

"It truly becomes a witches brew cause ill squeeze lemons, chuck in seeds and a whole mix and match of things so it was nice to just experiment and give me hands a rest."

Following Country to Couture, Pakai has plans to continue developing her business and grow it's presence with both new and returning consumers.

"I've been saying all year I'm getting a website, I have one it just hasn't been launched yet, but it is coming," she said.

"For me this was the big thing, so I'm hoping to go for the take the ideas and lessons from this experience to do it bigger and more intricate for next year.

"There are so many opportunities that I missed because I had gotten in my own way, but now I've proved to myself I can do this, that my art is valued and it matters to be here in this space with all these other deadly First Nations creatives.

"When I touch back in Sydney I'll be getting right into exhibition planning with the fullas at La Perouse, where the collection from Country to Couture will be displayed from August to September.

"That and I've got to connect up with Aunty Barb Simms to walk Country with her, I promised her a woven necklace so I better follow through on that one."