Quandamooka artist Delvene Cockatoo-Collins has showcased her designs on Melbourne Fashion Week's ganbu marra runway for the first time this week.
After a busy few weeks overseas, Collins said she was excited to return home and participate in Melbourne Fashion Week (MFW).
"I've just returned home after five weeks in the US, where I had a collection in Indigenous New York Fashion Week that my sons walked in, before travelling with a travel company across the US," Collins said.
"This is my fourth year partnering with them to deliver talks and workshops including at their head office in Oregon.
"It's become a significant part of my annual calendar and a wonderful opportunity to share my work with people across the country."
With 2026 marking Collins' MFW debut, the talented creative said she was thrilled to join other First Nations designers on the all-Indigenous runway.
"This is my first time showing on the Ganbu Marra runway, so I'm excited to be part of this new space, alongside other First Nations designers," she said.
"I've worked with Jirra before on one of the MFF capsules, responding to my mum's garments, so it will be lovely to work alongside Jirra again and for the first time with Lindyn. "
Reflecting on her family's own experiences, Collins was inspired by Grandmother's written and published story.
"The collection draws on my Grandmother's written and published story and connects with the idea of Take Only What You Need," she said.
"It's a principle that guides both my practice and how I work. Whether I'm gathering fibres or shells, I take only what I need at that time, with consideration for others and for what needs to remain.
"It's about understanding that we're not the only ones who rely on these resources."
Speaking on the range of of opportunities available to First Nations creatives and what she would like to see more of, Collins said she would love to see more opportunities for First Nations designers to connect and utilise one another's skills.
"I'd love to see continued opportunities for First Nations designers to connect with one another, build relationships across the industry and access different pathways as their practices develop," she said.
"There's already some wonderful work happening in this space, and I think there's an opportunity to keep building on it.
"For me, that includes connecting runway opportunities with retail, commissions, industry partnerships and international markets, so designers can find the pathways that work for their own practice.
"Not every designer wants to grow or produce at scale. I think it's important that there's room for different approaches, from one-of-a-kind pieces and small batches through to larger collections, while keeping cultural knowledge and the integrity of each designer's practice at the centre."
Continuing to make garments locally, Collins said she is conscious of not over producing and maintaining integrity.
"I've continued to have my garments made locally on Quandamooka Country, focusing on one-of-a-kind pieces and, at times, small batches," she said.
"That does place limits on how much I can grow or scale, but I'm comfortable with that. It's important to me to maintain the integrity of my practice and keep production as local as possible."Looking ahead Collins is eager to spend some down time at home with family and her in studio.
"I'm looking forward to spending the next few months at home on the island, with family and in my studio.
"I think this next chapter will be important for me to slow down a little and give myself the time I need to come back ready for the projects I have planned for next year."
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