It was the first show of its kind in 25 years.
In 2021, Afterpay Australian Fashion Week held a dedicated First Nations runway on Gadigal Country.
Presented by Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair Foundation and David Jones, the Indigenous Fashion Projects (IFP) runway brought together some of the nation’s most celebrated First Nations designers.
In the spirit of NAIDOC 2021, the show’s impact has been revisited as an important part of Australian fashion history.
The six growing brands featured on the runway are part of David Jones and IFP Pathways Program.
Established in 2020, the Pathways Program initiative provides an opportunity for Indigenous fashion brands to tap into the expertise of leading Australian designers and provide practical experience, insights and advice at all stages of the development of a fashion label.
David Jones general manager of womenswear, footwear and accessories Bridget Veals said this venture came to life at Afterpay Australian Fashion Week.
“David Jones role in the program is to listen and understand the needs of our First Nations fashion designers and provide support at all stages of the development of a fashion label,” Veals said.
“We saw the culmination of the first year of this partnership come to life at AAFW with all six Indigenous Designers showcasing their collections on Mabo Day.
“This was an incredibly meaningful day, not only for David Jones and the designers involved, but a step in the right direction for the Australian fashion industry.
“The response for these Indigenous designers has been very positive and we hope this program can continue to provide a platform for indigenous designers.”
Liandra Swim founder Liandra Gaykamangu is one of the designers involved in the mentorship program.
“My mentor Bianca Spender has been a wealth of knowledge, helping me think differently about both design and business.
“I feel grateful to have had the opportunity to work with her over the past nine months.
“With Bianca’s support, I am excited to represent my small island community [from] Arnhem Land at the iconic Fashion Week.”
Curated by stylist and founder of Jira Modelling agency Perina Drummond, the show also featured designer brands Kirrikin, Ngali, Native Swimwear, Indii and Maara Collective.
These designers receive mentorship from brands such as Kit X, P.E Nation and Bassike.
Veals said the goal is to nurture and open up business opportunities for Indigenous designers and labels through workshops, seminars and direct mentorships with established Australian designers from the David Jones family.
"It is important for brands to identify opportunities to learn from, support and celebrate the Indigenous creative community.
“We will continue to evolve our support and create different initiatives and of course look forward to continuing the successful Pathways Program with the Indigenous Fashion Projects into the future.”