First Nations Fashion + Design (FNFD) and The Iconic have revealed the First Nations designers who will lead in their first-of-its-kind pilot incubator program.
The First Nations fashion designers include Gunggandji designer Elverina Johnson of label Pink Fish; Mt. Isa designers Glenda, Jaunita, Dale and Cheryl Mcculloch of label Myrrdah; and Kuranda-based designer Briana Enoch of label Jarawee.
The designers were shortlisted and handpicked by an expert panel from the fashion, design and First Nations communities. They will take part in the program from April 2023.
The Iconic and FNFD have also revealed the industry and cultural mentors who will provide expertise and guidance to the designers throughout the duration of the Incubator Program. They include co-founder of P.E Nation, Pip Edwards; founder and creative director of By Johnny, Johnny Schembri; and Kinga Csilla creative director, Laura Liles alongside director, Tristan Liles.
They will be joined by cultural mentors, including National Gallery of Victoria curator of First Nations art, Shonae Hobson; Maara Collective founder and creative director, Julie Shaw; and Australian Fashion Council board member and GM of Cox Inall Ridgeway Yatu Widders Hunt.
“We are thrilled to welcome the designers into our first ever Incubator Program in partnership with FNFD,” The Iconic chief commercial and sustainability officer Gayle Burchell said. “As incredibly talented creatives who have already made their mark on the fashion industry, we’re honoured to share our e-commerce, tech and retail experience with them to further support the commercial scaling of their brands.
“We’re also humbled and excited to learn from these talented designers, and our partners at FNFD to better facilitate the economic empowerment and viability of the First Nations fashion industry.”
Speaking on the creation of the incubator program, FNFD founder and chair Grace Lillian Lee said she and her team wanted to ensure a two-way learning experience for everyone involved.
“We are grateful for the support from The Iconic, our industry and cultural mentors who will dedicate their time to help guide our participants, and we look forward to seeing their development over the course of this exciting program.”
Over the next seven months, the five designers will participate in workshops, events and experiences developed by a range of industry experts and educators, such as The Hanes group and Epson, with ongoing feedback from the Indigenous creative community.
Topics covered will include; branding and business plans, design and product development, merchandising, marketing and commercialisation, delivered through tours, classroom sessions, e-learning and one-on-one meetups with mentors.
At the conclusion of the Program, the designers will have the opportunity to take part in an eCommerce shoot and will be invited to sell their collection on The Iconic in the future.
P.E Nation’s Pip Edwards said she is ready to take on her role as industry mentor for the incubator program.
"It is an honour to be able to bring my working knowledge of the industry to this next generation of design talent; fusing this experience with their passion and interpretation of print, colour and texture which is so special and unique."
The Iconic X FNFD Incubator program 2023 will run for seven months from April 2023.
Revealed in late 2022, the co-designed program is an extension of The Iconic’s long-term partnership with FNFD. FNFD is an NFP organisation, with a mission to support the growth and development of the Indigenous fashion sector.
Background on designers and their labels
Pink Fish: Elverina Johnson is a Gunggandji woman from the Yarrabah Aboriginal Community, situated in the South East of Cairns. Her brand, Pink Fish, represents her community and the Gunggandji people, and the stories that have been passed down from her Ancestors.
Myrrdah: The label was established in 2019 as a collective under Cungelella Art, formed by sisters Glenda, Jaunita, Dale and Cheryl. Myrrdah’s collection consists of wearable art inspired by the sunsets, rock faces, clay and landscape of their traditional homelands on Kalkatungu Country in Northwest Queensland.
Jarawee: Designer Briana Enoch is a Kuku Yalanji, Quandamooka and Kaantju woman who founded Jarawee (meaning: pretty little bird), a brand that started out as products of hand painted accessories. In 2021 Briana debuted a collection of high-end fashion at Australian Afterpay Fashion Week. Following her debut, one of the dresses was included in the Powerhouse 'Eucalyptusdom' exhibition.