Accessories brand Helen Kaminski has partnered with Indigenous Fashion Projects in a bid to learn more about how First Nations artists and designers work with the fashion industry.
This involves working with First Nations artists to produce a limited-edition accessories capsule for Spring/Summer ‘24.
The industry-first collaboration with IFP is supported by Arts Law and IP Australia, with funding from Creative Australia.
Designed to safeguard Indigenous interests and culture in the fashion and textile industry, the initiative will also produce a set of guiding principles and processes to equip First Nations artists and designers to grow their creative practice – and business – in the fashion industry.
IFP has released its first module on its website in the new IFP Learning Centre, with more to come over time as the project continues.
Helen Kaminski worked with Bábbarra Women’s Centre - which covers print - and Gapuwiyak Culture and Arts Centre for fibre weaving for its upcoming collection.
Bábbarra Women’s Centre is located in the remote community of Maningrida. Established in 1987 as a safe space for women, it supports local artists in their work and helps facilitate financial independence.
Gapuwiyak Culture and Arts Centre is situated in remote East Arnhem Land, supporting over one hundred artists from the region and surrounding homelands.
Helen Kaminski has partnered with two artists from Bábbarra Women’s Centre, Elizabeth Wullumingu and Janet Marawarr.
The collection features interpretations of their traditional ancestral stories which are then hand printed onto fabric.
Dakarra by Wullunmingu tells the ancestral story of a species of cockle shell and the fishing lifestyle of her people.
Marawarr’s Kunred Kunkurra depicts the ancestral story of spiralling winds and underground lightning in the build-up to a storm in Mankorlod - Marawarr’s clan estate in West Arnhem Land.
With no template or picture to refer to, the design is carved from memory into a linoleum A4 tile. At times there can be up to three or four layers of colour, all applied by hand.
Using these fabrics, Helen Kaminski designed three styles: a bucket, a wide-brim sun hat, and a visor.
“We cannot stress enough how special these pieces are,” Helen Kaminski designer and developer Phoebe Hyles said. “The stunning artistry and uniqueness makes each piece a true work of art. A beautiful, tangible connection to culture, Country, and artists.”
Bábbarra Women’s Centre manager Jessica Stalenberg said the entire design process has been inclusive and collaborative.
“Babbarra Women’s Centre has a long history of engaging with the fashion and homewares industry but this is our debut into luxury accessories space and we celebrate our shared values of caring for artists, makers and country,” Stalenberg said.
“We love that fresh water and salt water country has come together in design, just like the town of Maningrida where we are based that has brought together many different clan and language groups from the coastal region of Arnhem Land.”
The latest collection is available online at Helen Kaminski.