Recognised as Australia's first major survey of Indigenous Fashion, Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre opened this week and displayed its new Piinpi: Contemporary Indigenous Fashion Exhibition at Melbourne Museum's Bunjilaka Aboriginal Culture Centre.

Created by Bendigo Art Gallery in 2020 and curated by Shonae Hobson, the Piinpi: Contemporary Indigenous Fashion exhibition strives to shine a light on Australia's leading First Nations creatives, whilst further spotlighting a design movement that has become a national fashion phenomenon.

Piinpi: is an expression that Kanichi Thampanyu (First Nations people from the East Cape York Peninsula) use to describe changes in the landscape across time and space. Knowledge of the land and seasons is culturally vital for First Peoples, and the number of seasons can vary across many First Nations groups around Australia.

Brimming with a diverse variety of colours and shapes, Piinpi features 24 hand-crafted garments by 36 Indigenous artists and designers from the inner city to remote desert art centres. Piinpi also highlights the strength and diversity of the rapidly expanding Indigenous fashion and textile industry within Australia.

Museums Victoria's head of first peoples experiences, Justice Nelson, said the rise of Indigenous fashion is not a trend but a testament to the talent, creativity and storytelling abilities of Indigenous designers.

"Indigenous fashion is not a trend but an important movement that has put First People's creativity at the centre of the global fashion agenda. Woven into these garments is a shared vision for storytelling and continuation of cultural practices," he said.

The new fashion exhibition showcases the ethereal silk creations of Lyn-Al Young, who sings the songs of her Ancestors through her one-off pieces, and contemporary weaver Grace Lillian Lee, the founder of First Nations Fashion + Design for whom fashion has been an important catalyst for discussions around diversity and inclusion.

Piinpi also includes globally sought-after textiles from Arnhem Land's Bábbarra Women's Centre, bold geometric pieces by Narrm artist/curator Lisa Waup in collaboration with Melbourne designer Ingrid Verner, deadly pieces by Teagan Cowlishaw, whose streetwear designs embody black empowerment through fashion, and vibrant work by Hopevale Arts and Cultural centre.

"This stunning exhibition is a testament to the creativity and innovation of First Nations designers and artists, and recognition of their significant contributions to the cultural landscape of Australia," said Museums Victoria CEO & director Lynley Crosswell.

For thousands of years First Peoples have thought ethically and consciously about sustainability and waste, and only now the rest of the world catching up. Piinpi celebrates culture and craft as much as fashionable appeal and aesthetics.

Bendigo Art Gallery Director Jessica Bridgfoot, noted that Piinpi is a true reflection of the beauty of First Nations fashion.

"Never before have so many works by Indigenous designers and artists been brought together to this extent, and in this way. We are thrilled that Piinpi is out in the world once again to spread the beauty of First Nations fashion at Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre."

Piinpi: Contemporary Indigenous Fashion will run from Tuesday the 28th of May until the 17th of November 2024 at Bunjilaka Aboriginal Culture Centre, Melbourne Museum.

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