Feminine and laid back yet chic and aesthetically practical, few would argue that First Nations fashion brand Liandra is steering the ship when it comes to the industry's top-performing Indigenous fashion brands.
Further cementing itself as an industry leader this week, Liandra showcased at Pandora's Australian Fashion Week (AFW) as the event's only First Nations brand to have its own solo runway.
Having participated in the Indigenous Fashion Projects and Next Gen runways in previous years, 2024 marks a special celebration for brand founder and designer, Liandra Gaykamangu.
"Showcasing at Australian Fashion Week this year for the first time signifies a new era for Liandra, Essence captures a moment of transition where we are sharing with the world - we are here. After six years, over the last twelve months we have transitioned the brand from being 'just' a swimwear label to ready to wear. With this show we present a more complete, and uniquely Australian lifestyle - one that is designed to encapsulate the beauty, and diversity of our nation, our country and our identities across the globe," said Gaykamangu.
Aside from stealing the spotlight with a solo runway, Liandra also saw AFW as the perfect opportunity to present their newest collection, which saw the popular fashion brand move into more lifestyle ready-to-wear garments, as apposed to just resort and swimmer.
Labelled 'Essence', the new collection saw Gaykamangu utilise the symbol of the native honeybees in Eastern Arnhem Land to blend the personal with stories of her culture and clan.
"Essence embodies a multi-dimensional story that is translated through my hand-drawn prints, each a contemporary representation of how I see, experience and appreciate guku and my rich family history and culture. I hope my personal inspiration of guku can be translated to your world. I see honeybees as an unwavering, powerful symbol for the way we all live our beautifully complex lives - busy, buzzing and a reminder to feel the release and savour the sweetness of the slow sweet moments too," she said.
Featuring a variety of vibrantly hued orange and green, sarongs, swimwear pop-overs, day dresses and more, the new Essence collection was as cool, calm and collected as the laidback lifestyle brand itself.
Upon the runway's finale, models walked the catwalk with a lively smile and bop to their step.
The joy and celebration that filled the room upon the show's conclusion marked a new era for Liandra.
Priding themselves on creating quality swim and ready-to-wear pieces with timeless designs and signature prints, Liandra is a brand that continues to be inspired by Aboriginal Australian culture, season after season.
Whilst this show did solitify Liandra's position as the brand to watch in 2024, we are bound to see Gaykamangu take Liandra even further this year.
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