The Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair Foundation (DAAFF) is calling on Australian corporations and individuals to help it raise $150,000 to further support its Indigenous Fashion Projects program (IFP).
The funding will help to create equal opportunities for Indigenous designers as well helping emerging creatives and businesses grow, develop, and achieve their cultural aspirations.
With many Indigenous designers located in remote and regional Australia, creatives lack access to everyday resources available to aspiring metro designers, while many also aren’t aware of the myriad career paths in the fashion industry.
IFP manager Dave Giles-Kaye said that the tax-deductible donations will foster the advancement and protection of cultural expression and build more capability in the First Nations fashion industry.
"IFP strives to bring the Indigenous fashion industry into alignment with the mainstream fashion industry, developing programs and events that build capability and shine a spotlight on our incredible First Nations fashion designers.
"Importantly this also creates opportunity for Indigenous involvement across the creative spectrum, be it models, stylists, makeup artists or photographers who all contribute their talents within the industry," he said.
IFP was created by DAAFF and encompasses the National Indigenous Fashion Awards (NIFA), Country to Couture runway and Pathways Programs.
In the past 12 months, IFP partnered with David Jones that saw six emerging designers participate in the Pathways Program.
The labels – Maara Collective, Native Swimwear, Ngali, Liandra Swim, Indii and Kirrikin – have been mentored by some of
Australia’s most renowned fashion brands, participated in six professional development workshops with David Jones’ senior staff, and featured on the Indigenous Fashion Project’s runway at Afterpay Australian Fashion Week.
The designers were also ranged within David Jones as part of its debut First Nations Designer Capsule Collection, which launched online and in the retailer's Pacific Fair store.
Liandra Swim founder Liandra Gaykamangu said the program has been critical in raising the profile of Indigenous labels and designers.
"IFP’s Pathways Program has been instrumental in bringing Indigenous design to the main stage and has offered us the invaluable opportunity to exhibit our culture that’s been tens-of-thousands of years in the making," she said.
Giles-Kaye added that any donation will help to drive DAAFF's programs forward.
"This year has been a watershed year for Indigenous fashion, with our first Afterpay Australian Fashion Week catwalk and unprecedented support from Australia’s leading fashion media and retail brands.
"Every dollar that we receive is a game-changer – Indigenous fashion may have been underfunded but it is no longer being overlooked," he said.
Those looking to donate can find more information on the IFP website.