History was made and tears shed as Ngali founder Denni Francisco became the first Aboriginal woman to have their own solo show at Afterpay Australian Fashion Week.
The Wiradjuri woman had her first solo show on Wednesday, May 17, where a Welcome to Country was performed and a moment of silence was held to remember and acknowledge lives lost in Aboriginal communities.
It comes two years after AAFW had its first Welcome to Country.
Francisco said it was amazing to be the first but knows she won't be the last.
"I think that this is just the first but there will be many more to come," she told National Indigenous Times.
"And because there's so much happening in our space it's fantastic. It's an honour, it's really exciting."
The new collection penned the 'Murriyang' collection is all about celebrating country, water and sky.
Prints by Indigenous artists have been translated onto the garments to emulate how Country would be seen from a birds-eye view.
Francisco has worked with Gija artist Lindsay Malay, Ngarrindjeri Wirangu artist Keedan Rigney and Muruwari and Kamilaroi artist Laura Brown for this collection.
Rigney also designed the artwork on the runway which saw Indigenous models such as Elaine 'Aunty Vogue' George, Cassie Puruntatameri and Cindy Rostron stride their stuff.
And it's the prints which spark Francisco's inspiration every time.
"It's the combination of the artwork, quiet time on Country and then it just evolves," she said.
"Sometimes I just go to sleep at night visualising Country, visualising some of the artworks and I don't know, it just seamlessly comes from there."
With the artworks as the hero, Francisco hasn't changed much in the way of silhouettes with this collection.
She's all about keeping things comfortable, working with silks and soft cottons.
View this post on Instagram
Even though it's her first solo show, Francisco continues to point to other First Nations creatives.
"What I'd like (the audience) to take away is just understanding and just immersing in what happens in the First Nations creative space in many different ways," she said.
"There are artworks, there are garments, there's millinery, there are handpainted boots, there's amazing jewellery and accessories.
"So I guess what I'd like the takeaway to be is that we do have a very strong place in Australian fashion."
The Ngali show concluded with the models completing their final walk and standing aside to applaud Francisco, her creative director and the three artists.
Audience members leapt to their feet in applause with some tearing up at the awe of seeing the first Indigenous solo show.
AAFW concludes on May 19.
