Using fashion as a catalyst for social change, Clothing The Gaps made a bold and powerful statement at Melbourne Fashion Week last month, as the brand took to the Closing Showcase to present three garments.

Joining 29 iconic Australian brands on the runway, Clothing The Gaps unveiled their show-stopping 'Still Yes' dress, 'Always Was, Always Will Be' dress, and a gown honouring the 'Our Islands, Our Home,' campaign - created in collaboration with Natisha Tabua and Lucas Schober.

"Politics first and fashion second," Gunditjmara Co-Founder and chief executive, Laura Thompson told Style Up.

While Clothing The Gaps is known for its laid-back streetwear, the Naarm-based brand has ventured out of its usual style to deliver three formal dresses fit for any runway or occasion.

Last year, Senator Jana Stewart donned the iconic 'Yes' dress at the Parliamentary Mid-Winter Ball, held ahead of the October 14th vote that changed the course of this nation's reconciliation journey.

Over a year on from the defeat of the Indigenous Voice Referendum, communities are still grieving as the effects of the 'No' vote continue to ripple throughout the nation.

"A lot's changed since then after the failed referendum. So to be able to, showcase that 'Yes,' dress again on one of our incredible Indigenous models and talk about the outcome of the referendum," said Thompson.

"We've embroidered on the red, velvet cape, the word still. So when the model walks down, it will say 'Still Yes'... We were looking for ways to continue to spark conversations on the runway through our clothes."

The 'Always Was, Always Will Be' dress, designed by Tabua, pays homage to the timeless call to uphold the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to Country and culture.

Initially debuting at the Kinaway Project Runway last year, the upcycled dress made out of iconic Clothing The Gaps tees and tule.

"So Clothing The Gaps is a certified social enterprise, we create merchandise with a message and the aim is to create campaigns and conversations through our clothes that support First Nations people," said Thompson.

Acknowledging that Melbourne Fashion Week is a major platform to showcase these conversations, Thompson was eager to ensure that the brand's participation extended its impact.

"One of the values of Clothing The Gaps is to spark conversations, to advocate and to share messages and when opportunities arise, like Melbourne Fashion Week, this is an opportunity to get different eyes and different people to see our garments. And that's what we've been able to do on this runway, I think to be included alongside so many other iconic Australian brands, is incredible," said Thompson

Historically excluded from the Australian landscape, Thompson is determined to send a message.

"There is space for Indigenous fashion and there's an opportunity for people to wear their values and spark the conversation," said Thompson.

In its third presentation, Clothing The Gaps collaborated with Tabua and the creative behind Musu Arts, Lucas Schober.

Both with ties to the Torres Strait, the pair joined forces to create a 3-metre gown that stole the show, as they aimed to shed light to the 'Our Islands, Our Home' campaign.

Extending beyond the fashion itself, one thing each of the garments had in common included the call to action proudly displayed, as they cascaded down the runway, appreciated by all those who gathered to celebrate the best of the best in Australian fashion.

As we eagerly await Clothing The Gap's next move, Thompson shared some exciting news on the horizon as the brand takes on its next stockist, Universal Store.

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