It feels like every year there are more Australian labels and designers flooding Australia’s talent pool and many of our most exciting fashion creatives are First Nations-owned fashion brands on the rise, their founders hailing from all over the nation.
Frequently taking inspiration from their roots and Country, drawing on traditional practices based down through generations, these clothes often tell important stories while offering unique, fashion-forward pieces. Many First Nations designers are redefining what it means to be a home-grown label with business models that give back to the community while. of course, producing statement-making clothes and accessories. Just last year, we saw the unique talent of Australia’s First Nations artists and designers celebrated on a global stage: when Gisèle Pelicot wore a silk scarf crafted by First Nations women that featured the design of Martu artist Mulyatingki Marney
Meanwhile exciting emerging designers like Liandra made debuts at Australian Fashion Week 2024.
Often emphasising sustainability and giving back to the artisans that inspire and collaborate on their designs, below, we’ve rounded up 12 First Nations Australian fashion brands to shop now and wear forever.
Lillardia Briggs-Houston
Lillardia Briggs-Houston is a multidisciplinary artist and fashion designer based in Albury/Wodonga. Her brand is an ethical, slow fashion label that explores culture, self-determination and sovereignty through Southeast Aboriginal cultural practices, incorporating bush dying, weaving and carving in her textiles. Designed and constructed on unceded Wiradjuri country all pieces are made by hand from natural fibers.
Grace Lillian Lee
Grace Lillian Lee, founder of her eponymous label, is a designer based in Cairns, Australia. Grace’s designs are inspired by her own Indigenous heritage and her intricate woven pieces are only one element of her practice as a mentor, artist and creative. Working in collaboration with First Nation communities, Grace inspires and empowers the coming generation of Indigenous designers through her pioneering work.
Maara Collective
Boasting a bohemian aesthetic with a refined twist, MAARA Collective is truly what resort-wear dreams are made of. MAARA (which means ‘hands’ in Yuwaalaraay and Gamilaraay language gropus) was founded by Julie Shaw, a Yuwaalaraay woman from New South Wales, who created the label to showcase and celebrate First Nations art and fashion by collaborating with key Indigenous artists and artisans.
Haus of Dizzy
Created by ‘Queen of Bling’ Kristy Dickinson, Haus of Dizzy’s kitschy-cool jewellery has quite the cult following, and for good reason. Dickinson, a proud Wiradjuri woman, has been hand-making her conversation-starting statement pieces for 20 years. Featuring strong political and social messages and a strong emphasis on her Indigenous culture, Kristy’s designs are inclusive, unmissable and guaranteed to bring out your inner badass.
Gammin Threads
Born from a love of “typography, language and Blak pride”, Tahnee Edwards launched her beloved “chillwear” label Gammin Threads as a side hustle in 2018. Edwards, a proud descendant of the Yorta Yorta, Taungurung, Boonwurrung and Mutti Mutti nations, sees the label as a creative outlet from her full-time job at an Aboriginal family violence prevention service. Filled with empowering slogan tees and comfy sweats, the label is “for people who believe in living colourfully, paying respect and empowering women”.
Kirrikin
Showcasing the artwork of contemporary First Nations artists from all around Australia, Kirrikin’s luxurious resort-wear line is for those who like to make a statement. Amanda Healy, a proud Wonnarua woman from Hunter Valley NSW, founded Kirrikin as a social enterprise to uplift First Nations artists. The brand curates First Nations artworks digitally printing designs on ethically produced sustainable cashmere and silks, creating scarves and ties that showcase Australian indigenous art and culture.
Kamara Swim
Founded by sisters Kirsty and Naomi, Kamara Australia’s mission is simple: create “undeniably gorgeous, sun-conscious swimwear for a country that has some of the highest skin cancer rates in the world.” The result? A line of standout swimsuits crafted from sun-protective fabric.
North
A not-for-profit charity, NORTH weaves together the stories and talents of remote Indigenous artists across the Northern Territory through clothing to support them and generate a consistent income stream for local art centres. The collections themselves draw inspiration from Country, the artisans’ cultures and heritage, infusing each garment with the stories of their People.
Ngali
Ngali translates to ‘we’ or ‘us’ in a number of Australian Aboriginal languages, and it’s this very sentiment that forms the core of this mindful label. Dedicated to creating sustainable clothes that unite people with Country and one another, Ngali’s garments are considered and comfortable, crafted through the lens of Yindayamarra—fashion that shows respect, is polite, mindful, gentle to Country and honours cross-country collaborations with other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander creatives.
Clothing The Gaps
Clothing The Gaps is an First Nations-owned organisation that gives 100% of profits to Indigenous health and education programs across Victoria. Playing on the phrase “Closing the Gaps”—the Australian Government health initiative that seeks to lose the life expectancy gap between Aboriginal people and non-Indigenous Australians—the unisex brand sells a range of empowering slogan tanks, tees, and accessories.
Bush Magic Metal
Founded and created by self-taught silversmith Lydia Baker, a proud Indigenous woman descending from both the Mununjali and Butchulla Tribes, Bush Magic Jewellery began from a passion for the Australian bush. Inspired by “culture, the stories, our ancestors being custodians of the land”, Baker’s hand-made designs centre sterling silver and the Australian opal to create pieces that are uniquely captivating.
Liandra
Created by local swimwear designer Liandra Gaykamangu, the brand aims to prioritise sustainable practices by using fabrics made from regenerated plastics—even its hygiene stickers are safe for home-compost disposal. Liandraw Gaykamangu is considered one of Australia’s most exciting emerging First Nations designers, making her debut at Australian Fashion Week last year. Expect eye-catching swimsuits, leisurewear and accessories.
