Proud Bundjalung and Gumbaynggirr model Jahna Lugnan is preparing to take New York's Fashion Week by storm.
Ms Lugnan will be the only Aboriginal model to walk the runway and will feature during the Flying Solo Runway, as an Ambassador for Buluuy Mirrri (Black Star).
Flying Solo is an internationally renowned fashion retailer that provides opportunities for independent labels via runway participation, through the hosting of labels in their boutique shopfronts positioned in prime fashion districts in New York City and soon to be in Paris, France.
Ms Lugnan is currently Canberra based and a student at Erindale College, where she participates in a Talented Dance Program.
Through her dancing talent, she has earned a scholarship which has been awarded through the Go Foundation, by Adam Goodes.
She will soon be travelling to Thailand to perform and undertake exchange with the Thailand Dance Company.
Ms Lugnan is hoping her representation at this event will open up more opportunities for other young models who hope to follow similar pathways.
A spokesperson for Ms Lugnan advised that she will be sharing and representing the richness of her culture and identity as well as the culture and traditional storyline behind Colleen's Buluuy Mirri garments/collection.
The opportunity to step onto an international runway is expected to empower the young Ms Lugnan and provide an opportunity for growth with confidence and self-esteem.
Although she is already a talented creative artist and dancer, the spokesperson advised she also has a keen interest in careers in modelling and fashion.
No stranger to the stage, Ms Lugnan's dance background is sure to assist with her runway walk.
She is currently a part of the Qantum Leap (QL2 Production) Dance Company in Canberra, Dream Danz, Canberra and a member of the Nini Nahri-Gali Dance Troupe in Lismore NSW, where she performs traditional and contemporary Aboriginal dance.
Ms Lugnan is also involved in her mother's business, Guyamgan Bahna Fashion, a program that delivers youth workshops in mental health, suicide awareness, leadership and mentoring and who will be delivering their second Fashion shows on the Gold Coast in 2024.
For those keen to follow or learn more about Ms Lugnan's career which is actually beginning to explode, her achievements are listed below.
Photoshoots - modelling and runways.
Photoshoots - Barefoot Wandering, Coffs Harbour, NSW; My Tailoress Boutique Lismore, NSW; Purity Lace Designs, Hope Island, Minakustore, Dunghutti, Yuku-na glow, Wonnarua and Spell Boutique Store, Byron Bay, NSW.
Modelled – Gold Coast Fashion Project, The Next Gen Runway and Teen Show for designers. Labels included: High Wasted Society, Gold Coast; Aleigha The Label, Australia; Hidden Skate Co, QLD; My Cupcake Addiction; PM Surf (First Nations designer, Maria Bolt), and international designer, The Stylish Stina.
Flying Solo Story from Elizabeth Solomeina on Vimeo.
Ms Lugnan and the deadly team of First Nations Women including Fashion Designer extraordinaire Colleen Tighe-Johnson are raising funds to assist the team attend the event. You can contribute here.
