From runway debuts to celebrity appearances, 2023's Country to Couture presentation made more headlines than one.

Spanning across two runway presentations, this year's eighth showcase celebrated several talented designers, each succeeding in their own niche way.

Combining beloved favourites with noteworthy newcomers, 2023 attendees were privy to welcoming both established and emerging talent to the runway.

With over 20 participating designers, when it came to those designs, prints and textiles that did steal the show, there was certainly no shortage of standouts.

"We are so excited to break records this year with the number of First Nations fashion designers involved in IFP's NIFA and Country to Couture," Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair artistic director Shilo McNamee said.

"These events are recognised globally and in Australia's Indigenous communities for celebrating and propelling designers to new heights, while maintaining an authentic and grassroots feel.

"These are special fashion events steeped in over 60,000 years of culture and heritage, but also showcase some of the most contemporary designs in the country", DAAF Foundation's artistic director and proud Eastern Arrernte visual artist."

For those who could not attend this year's runway event, read on as Style Up shares Country to Couture's official 2023 highlights.

Yapa Mali made it's runway debut

Having only launched in 2022, Yapa Mali is already being coined the brand to watch.

Meaning 'to create art' in Ngiyampaa language, Yapa Mali was created and founded by proud Ngiyampaa/Wangaaypuwan and Wiradjuri woman Maddy Hodgetts.

Aiming to uphold cultural values whilst showcasing the beauty and importance of First Nations culture through fashion, Yapa Mali is a celebration of fashion and art and the interlinking relationship of the two.

"Everything I do or make is art in my culture", Ms Hodgetts told Style Up.

Whilst Yapa Mali's first collection did not have a name, each individual garment print did.

Painted by Hodgetts herself, all prints within Yapa Mali's collection told stories from her life and experiences on Wangaaypuwan/Ngiyampaa Country.

Through artwork as prints – as well as through adornment pieces, materials and methods significant to Maddy's Country – attendees were introduced to both the culture and creativity of Wangaaypuwan/Ngiyampaa Country.

"Each garment holds a story through its artwork that depicts my Wangaaypuwan Country, capturing the red and golden dirt and our rivers, Ms Hodgetts said.

When it came to the cultural adornment pieces, show-goers were stunned by the accessories level of intricate detailing, unique additions and cultural relevance.

"The Cultural adornment pieces within the collection were created using rich source of resources from Country such as emu feathers, quandong seeds and river reed, exhibiting living practices of Culture", Ms Hodgetts said.

Miimi & Jiinda turn heads with new Burraaba collection

Miimi & Jiinda are considered one of the most successful Indigenous fashion brands to date.

For proud Gumbaynggirr, Dunghutti and Bundjalung Nyami woman Melissa Greenwood and her accomplished traditional craftswoman mother Lauren Jarrett, founding a creative business together was a natural progression.

With the mother-daughter duo's designs primarily inspired by their personal journeys as Aboriginal women, each garment is always a true reflection of a moment – or memory – in time.

"Culture is our passion, our fire and our desire to keep pushing for further change in this world. All of these elements strongly influence our work and are at the core of our identity as First Nations women and creators", Ms Greenwood and Ms Jarrett said.

Now encompassing everything from artwork and homewares to textiles and clothing, the brand made head-waves this year after presenting its first designer collection at Afterpay Australia Fashion Week (AAFW).

Influenced by the Dreaming stories and Hero Ancestors of Gumbaynggirr Country, the designer's new Burraaba collection puts a contemporary spin on cultural storytelling.

Utilising the Muurrabay Bundani (Tree of Life) as a motif throughout, the Burraaba collection featured natural fabrics, woven elements and sustainable printing processes.

Referencing the concept of everything on earth being interconnected and independent, Burraaba's colour palette focused on neutral hues with the odd addition of lively greens.

Proudly created here in Australia on Gumbaynggirr and Bundjalung Country, Burraaba has placed Miimi and Jiinda in the spotlight both locally and overseas.

Nagula Jarndu artists honed in on the power of plants

Governed by seven Yawuru directors and an active membership of 120 Indigenous women, Nagula Jarndu (Saltwater Woman) is a non-for-profit women's art and resource centre located in Broome Australia.

Trading as Nagula Jarndu, the business is also more formally known as the Yawuru Jarndu Aboriginal Corporation.

Working in predominantly hand-printed textiles that tell significant stories about culture, country and connection, Nagula Jarndu's team of local Indigenous artists value creativity and craft as much as culture and connectivity.

For this year's runway, ten Nagula Jarndu artists came together to create imagery around the theme of 'Balu Burugun' – which roughly translates to plants from country in the local Yawuru language.

Based on important plants from each woman's country, lead designer and proud Yawuru woman Zaripha Barnes, collaborated with artists to spotlight plants that provide nourishment, medicine, shelter or spiritual sustenance.

After discussing the theme, each woman came up with a series of ideas to best capture their understanding and cultural knowledge surrounding these ideas.

Drawing on her traditional Asian heritage, Barnes's own injection of culture was further reflected within this collection.

"Balu Burugun, roughly translates as plants from country in the local Yawuru language," Nagula Jarndu said in a statement.

"The collection is based around important plants from each woman's Country.

"Plants that provide nourishment, medicine, shelter or spiritual sustenance."

Designer Zaripha Barnes collaborated with Nagula Jarndu Artists Maxine Charlie, Rowena Morgan, Amanda Rose Lee, Marie Manado, Sherena Bin Hitam, Cecilia Tigan, Miss S. Chiguna, Mrs C. Djiagween and Dena Gower on the collection.

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