First Nations Designers making AAFW history
At AAFW 2021, First Nations Fashion + Design (FNFD) brought down the house with an unforgettable runway show led by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
This year, FNFD will again be making history by not only kicking off the event with an official Welcome to Country ceremony but closing down fashion week in First Nations style with a sold-out show—produced, styled, modelled and staffed backstage by an all-Indigenous cast and crew.
“Expect to be immersed in a celebration of blak excellence. We have several designers who are making their AAFW debut; they have poured everything into these collections. There is so much raw and unexplored talent, so expect to feel awestruck,” says FNFD Ambassador and Model Mentor Perry Mooney.
The must-see fashion event is set to showcase some of the country’s top Indigenous talents, including Clothing The Gaps, Nungala Creative, Lillardia Briggs-Houston, Ihraa Swim, Ikuntji Artists, Gantharri, Myrrdah, Paul McCann and Elverina Johnston x Taking Shape, with accessories by Rowland Vision.
As for new and familiar faces appearing on the runway itself, "Cindy's one to watch, but it's also exciting that Elaine is making a return to modelling and that she'll be walking in the show," says Mooney. 17-year-old model and TikTok creator Cindy Rostron and trailblazer Elaine George's appearance at the FNFD show comes after making the cover of Vogue Australia's iconic May Issue, which marks another milestone collaboration for FNFD.
While FNFD is all about supporting the growth of Indigenous Australian fashion, the runway concept this year, 'Our Islands, Our Home,' is centred on creating awareness of how the climate crisis impacts our Torres Strait Island communities. "People don't realise how bad climate change is, how it's impacting the islands, and how irreversible it is. We're very aware of climate change in our cities and what it means for parks and beaches, but no one thinks of the islands and what's happening with mob up there," explains Mooney.
The show will close with a collaborative collection of couture pieces based on a Future of Fashion brief created by FNFD founder Grace Lillian-Lee. FNFD designers were given the opportunity to shadow and collaborate with some of Australia's leading fashion designers, helping to close the fashion gap and provide a meaningful cultural and industry exchange.
Remarking on this momentous occasion for FNFD, Mooney said, "By opening and closing AAFW, we're showcasing FNFD's various talents and creative prowess. But we're also showcasing the depth of talent of our mob."
AAFW will take place May 9-13, 2022 at Carriageworks in Sydney, and virtually on AAFW.com.au.
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