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Country to Couture fashion show puts First Nations artists in spotlight

Wednesday 6 AugustWed 6 Aug 2025 at 12:24am

a model waving a colourful fan on a runway — The Sunset Healing collection blends European and Larrakia influences. (ABC News: Pete Garnish)

This week marks the 10th anniversary of Darwin's biggest fashion show, Country to Couture, with the event shining a spotlight on some of Australia's finest First Nations artists.

Twenty collections were featured across two sold-out runway shows, with more than 80 artists involved in their creation — from independent creatives to established brands and those who have developed their work through community art centres.

two models wearing colourful designs on a runway — The Tabilbahn Yunggulba (Saltwater Tidal) collection draws upon the storytelling of the Quandamooka people. (ABC News: Pete Garnish)

Claire Summers, executive director of the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair Foundation, which established the Country to Couture event, said it "started with very humble beginnings and has now turned into a spectacular".

Reflecting on its origins, Ms Summers said the Country to Couture runway shows were "borne out of a re-emergence of textile designs" across the country following the global financial crisis.

"A lot of art centres found that they needed to diversify what they were doing to be able to reach new audiences," Ms Summers said.

"What we saw was art centres taking on textile design as part of their core business and part of the mediums that they were supporting artists to work on out in community.

a piece of couture fashion on display at an aboriginal art show — Country to Couture showcases a range of traditional and contemporary designs. (ABC News: Pete Garnish)

"Before long, the art centres started to say to us, 'We need somewhere to be able to showcase and celebrate our beautiful textiles. We want a runway.'

"So, back in 2016, in the heart of the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair, nestled amongst all the art booths, we had our very first Country to Couture runway."

Ms Summers said in large part, Country to Couture aimed to "make a great bridge" between textile fashion design and the "fine art market".

Here's a look at this year's collections.

SHOW 1

Murrgan by Girringun Aboriginal Art Centre

a model wearing huge woven earrings and a blue pattern dress on a runway — The Murrgan (blue quandong) collection has used materials that have been coloured with natural indigo and plant-based dyes. (ABC News: Pete Garnish)

Nugal Biik (Belongs to Country) by Simone Thomson

an model wearing a patterned two-piece set on a runway — The Nugal Biik collection blends modern silhouettes with textures and colours inspired by the Birrarung (Yarra River) and Dhungala (Murray River). (ABC News: Pete Garnish)

a model wearing a sparkly dress on a runway — Naarm-based Indigenous designer Simone Thomson says Aboriginal art from south-east Australia, like hers, tends to feature "diamonds, chevrons and line work" as opposed to the dot style often presumed to be synonymous with all First Nations art. (ABC News: Pete Garnish)

Echoes of the Tide by Jarli (Designers: Corina Jadai)

a model posing on a runway wearing a blue dress — The Echoes of the Tide collection is inspired by the pattern on a turtle shell, paired with ocean hues. (ABC News: Pete Garnish)

Garkambarryirri (Daybreak) by Bula'bula Arts x Black Cat Couture

a model wearing black and brown designs on a runway — This collection and its designers hail from north-east Arnhem Land, featuring hand-painted and screen-printed elements by Yolŋu artists. (ABC News: Pete Garnish)

Nguramban-Dhi (From Country) by Corella & Crow (Designers: Rechelle Turner and Megan Daley)

Nguramban-Dhi (From Country) by Corella & Crow — The Nguramban-Dhi collection has the motif of a bogong moth, a species native to Ngunnawal country and in decline, reflecting the designers' passion for sustainability. (ABC News: Pete Garnish)

a model wearing a pink dress with large brown shoulder pads on a runway — The Corrella & Crow label is named after the totems of the Wiradjuri and Ngunnawal designers, Rechelle Turner and Megan Daley. (ABC News: Pete Garnish)

Warrajamba - A Mermaid in the Bay by Delvene Cockatoo-Collins

Warrajamba - A Mermaid in the Bay by Delvene Cockatoo-Collins — This collection is most recognisable for its use of shells adorned on linen fabric. (ABC News: Pete Garnish)

Maju Karlaj (sister sister) by KingKing Creative (Designers: Sarrita King and Tarisse King)

a model wearing a paisley blue collared shirt — The Maju Karlaj collection is inspired by the designers childhood trips between Adelaide (Kaurna land) and Darwin (Larrakia land). (ABC News: Pete Garnish)

Connection to Taam (Country) by Nangarri Designs (Designer: Rowena Morgan)

a model wearing a paisley shirt and shorts with a white top on a runway — This collection aims to reflect the landscape of Kija Country, including the landscape's ochre tones of yellow, red and brown. (ABC News: Pete Garnish)

Biik by Yanggurdi (Designer: Cassie Leatham)

a model wearing a woven top and dress on a runway — This collection uses up-cycled materials, some dyed with native plant bush-dye. (ABC News: Pete Garnish)

SHOW TWO

Milky Water by Jaru Girl Designs

a model wearing a cowboy hat and a denim skirt and top on a runway — The Milky Water western collection blends traditional cowboy attire with prints that represent a connection to country and its fruits and plants. (ABC News: Pete Garnish)

a model wearing a cowboy hat and a jeans on a runway — The designers say this collection pays tribute to the Aboriginal stockmen and women who work on outback stations. (ABC News: Pete Garnish)

Return to Country by Mowanjum Arts and Cultural Centre x PaletTheory

two models wearing bright orange flowy designs on a runway — This collection was designed by artists from Worrorra, Ngarinyin and Wunambal country. (ABC News: Pete Garnish)

Pirriya by Tjarlirli & Kaltukatjara Art

a model wearing colourful silk designs on a runway — This collection features garments made of silk, which allows for its dynamic shape, making the collection true to its name of Pirriya (breeze). (ABC News: Pete Garnish)

a model wearing a silk flowy design on a runway — 'Pirrya' draws upon Australia's contemporary Western Desert Aboriginal art movement. (ABC News: Pete Garnish)

Kanyarra by Goompi's Girl (Designer: Nicole Enoch-Chatfield)

a model wearing a denim and white one-piece on a runway — The Kanyarra collection regularly features crocodile (Kanyarra) iconography. (ABC News: Pete Garnish)

two models wearing denim and white designs hi-fiving each other on a runway — Yirrganydji designer Nicole Enoch-Chatfield says the crocodile (Kanyarra) represents a return to "home, safety and roots". (ABC News: Pete Garnish)

Tabilbahn Yunggulba (Saltwater Tidal) by Sandra and Shara Delaney

a model wearing a blue wrap dress with feathers on a runway — This collection reflects the cultural storytelling and country of the Quandamooka people (from south-east Queensland). (ABC News: Pete Garnish)

Magpie Goose x Quandamooka Artists

a model painted in white wearing traditional designs on a runway — This collection is centred on the Quandamooka People of Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island), with its brightly coloured designs embodying the concept of "wearable art". (ABC News: Pete Garnish)

a male model posing in a green shirt and skirt on a runway — Magpie Goose's collaboration with Quandamooka artists draws inspiration from their stories and cultural heritage. (ABC News: Pete Garnish)

Fire in the Sky by Yarrabah Arts & Cultural Precinct

A model walking a catwalk wears a red and yellow silk jumpsuit, pointing strongly ahead. — True to its name, the designs in this collection feature stunning sunset hues. (ABC News: Pete Garnish)

a model wearing a pale orange one-piece on a runway — This collection is inspired by the vibrant colours of the sky. (ABC News: Pete Garnish)

Tjindu (Sun) by EleRaze Creatives x Jodi Johnson

a model wearing a printed top with a crab necklace on a runway — The bright colours of this collection depict the sunrises and sunsets seen by those on the far west coast of South Australia. (ABC News: Pete Garnish)

Jarndunil / Saheli Yagarramaguranjin (women / friends are creating together) by Nagula Jarndu Designs

a model wearing a pale khaki outfit on a runway — This collection offers a personal touch, with hand-printed textiles, hand-woven and dyed fabrics and hand-embroidered designs. (ABC News: Pete Garnish)

Sunset Healing by Mimmim x TATIA (Designers: Mim Cole and Tatiana Hoffmann)

A woman walks a catwalk wearing a striking colourful dress and large, widebrimmed tipped hat — This wide-brimmed hat from Mimmim x TATIA was a crowd favourite, receiving a roar of applause. (ABC News: Pete Garnish)

A model walks a catwalk in an orange, pink and blue long dress with structured, lampshade sleeves and a wide brimmed, tipped hat — This collection combines "European elegance" with innovative prints that honour the designer's Larrakia roots. (ABC News: Pete Garnish)

a model posing wearing a flowy coat and a yellow hat on a runway — 'Sunset Healing' blends Larrakia storytelling with contemporary fashion. (ABC News: Pete Garnish)

Butterfly Kisses by Simone Arnol

A model walks down a runway wearing a vibrand red, yellow and black design print — The Butterfly Kisses collection, by Simone Arnol, is true to its name, featuring designs inspired by the delicate nature of butterflies, paired with elegant silhouettes. (ABC News: Pete Garnish)