Hearing the news that a First Nations fashion brand will showcase overseas, always brings joy to our ears.
Whether it's seeing Australian collections on international runways or reading about them in press headlines, the occasion of First Nations designers presenting overseas is one we here at Style Up, are thrilled to embrace.
Back for its second year running, this month Indigenous-fashion brand, Kirrikin will return to the UK for its international fashion and culture tour, a part of the Kirrikin Foundation.
Showcasing a series of Indigenous designer's latest looks this, will be the second time Kirrikin have taken part in this international opportunity.
In 2022, Kirrikin was part of a group of Indigenous delegates who travelled to Belgium to showcase their designs to the Australian Embassy in Belgium, Luxembourg, and US Mission to the EU, and NATO.
Next week, Kirrkin will return to the international runway, joining forces with four other equally successful Indigenous fashion brands including Liandra Swim, Kamara Swim, Maara Collective and Ngali to participate in the High Commission of Australia, First Nations Fashion Show and Aboriginal Art Exhibition.
Coinciding with London Fashion Week 2023, this will be the first time that an Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander fashion show will be held at Australia House.
Kirrikin founder Amanda Healy said it is "an amazing opportunity to showcase our products here in London".
"The support of the High Commission here has been great. We have had opportunities to meet with the trade commissioners here, and put in contact with retail reps in London, who are hungry for new and different products," she said.
"We are very excited to be presenting a group of 6 designers with commercially ready products to the London audience on Tuesday night. If Kylie Minogue can do it, so can we. We know they are going to love our products."
Both the runway event and art exhibition aim to advance the outcomes of the Australia-UK Free Trade Agreement by further expanding and exporting Australian products, talent, and design to the UK.
The new trade agreement also lays the foundation for Australian artists, including First Nations artists, to receive royalties when their original works of art are resold in the UK.
Set to take place on the September 19 at London's Australian Embassy, the event will be held in the embassy's exhibition hall with the addition of an erected stage for both the runway and art exhibitions.
This celebratory event will also feature a Yidaki (didgeridoo) player as well as the performance of a traditional dance.
Whilst this international opportunity enables these brands to gain further exposure outside of Australia and market themselves on an international level, it is also an opportunity for selected brand founders to promote and advance the subject of Indigenous culture and representation overseas.
Informing and educating international audiences on how Indigenous culture enlightens fashion is a process many First Nations designers would dream of being a part of – hence those designers selected to attend this event are feeling very privileged.
Featuring a mix of the latest seasonal collections and representative works, participating designers will showcase a series of garments that speak best to their brand, culture and consumer.
Organised by artist and Coe Gallery founder, Jasmine Coe, the international event will also boast an impressive art exhibition with a series of Indigenous creatives – who live in and outside of Australia.
Held alongside the event's main fashion show, the art exhibition will feature a handful of notable artists including Perth-based, Buffie Punch and popular male artist, Ethan James Kotiau.
Although several supportive Aussies back home are unable to physically attend, they can proudly watch on knowing that the Australian fashion industry is not just striving for change, but actively getting out there and participating in the necessary steps to do so.
It is with hopes that events like this not just normalise a shift within the industry but set the standard at just how capable, artistic and talented Australia's First Nations creatives truly are.
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