arts

Chern’ee Sutton’s Sea Turtle design makes waves at Brisbane Fashion Festival

Phoebe Blogg - September 1, 2025

Ruby Hunter Brown at Brisbane Fashion Festival wearing Chern'ee Sutton designs in collaboration with Mannzilo and Akheel Khan. (Image: supplied)

Shining a spotlight on issues such as sustainability, female empowerment and fashion inclusivity for all, Brisbane Fashion Festival has made positive headlines again in 2025.

Proud Kalkadoon artist Chern'ee Sutton's artwork lit up the runway at last week's event, where her breathtaking sea turtle design "Wani Wani Wantina – To Swim Side by Side" debuted to a crowd of both the press and public.

In collaboration with fashion house Mannzilo and director Akheel Khan, Sutton's vibrant artwork was transformed into a couture statement jacket using Mannzilo's signature Zardosi embroidery. Sutton herself also walked the festival in a matching jacket created by Mannzilo, featuring her original turtle painting.

This marks the second year of Sutton and Mannzilo's dynamic partnership, with the 2025 collection making an even greater impact than their celebrated debut. The collaboration showcases the seamless fusion of contemporary Aboriginal art with world-class fashion craftsmanship, uniting culture, couture and storytelling on one of Australia's most prestigious runways.

*Akheel Khan and Chern'ee Sutton at Brisbane Fashion Festival. (Image: supplied)*

*Chern'ee Sutton at Brisbane Fashion Festival wearing her designs. (Image: supplied)*

The festival appearance adds to an already milestone year for Sutton, whose career continues to soar with high-profile collaborations. This includes her recent work with the Perth Mint on a limited-edition coin featuring her emu design, a collaboration with an upcoming animation project, and another major partnership set to launch soon. These achievements further cement Sutton's reputation as one of Australia's most exciting and in-demand contemporary Aboriginal artists.

"I'm extremely proud to have collaborated with Mannzilo again," she said.

"Seeing my artwork come to life on the runway in such a striking couture piece is incredibly special. It's a way of sharing my culture and stories while celebrating how art and fashion can bring people together."

Khan also expressed how great it was to be able to work with Sutton and create a truly meaningful collection.

"Seeing Chernee's paintings come alive through my Zardosi work was truly inspiring," he said.

"Her use of colour and storytelling resonated deeply with me, and I wanted to craft a piece that not only pays tribute to her talent but also showcases how art can transcend boundaries and unite cultures."

The debut of "Wani Wani Wantina – To Swim Side by Side" was a centrepiece of Mannzilo's runway collection, contributing to the electric energy of Brisbane Fashion Festival's 20th anniversary celebrations and leaving an unforgettable impression on audiences.