Fashion designer Cassie Leatham spoke with National Indigenous Times this week about her excitement at presenting her brand – Yanggurdi – on the runway at Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair's Country To Couture runway.

Leatham gave an insight into the workings of an ever-growing Indigenous label.

"Yanggurdi means Walkabout in Taungurung language. I launched Yanggurdi at the Melbourne Fashion Festival in 2022 and since then, I have been in nine national and international runways showcasing my collections and adornments, and have been growing with people's interest in sustainability, development of native fibers, fabrics and upcycling," Leatham said.

"The process has taken different forms over the last couple of years – from basic design to streetwear to weaved wearable art and now upcycled bush solar dyed. It is the first time Yanggurdi will be featured at the DAAF and Country to Couture. It has taken time building and developing the label into the sustainable ethical brand it is and I thought it was time to share, so I applied and was selected."

Leatham said her new collection showcased this week on the Country to Couture runway was inspired by walking one with nature and takes inspiration from the colours of country.

"My collection 'Gumak Biik', meaning 'On Country', is the collection that will be showcased at Country to Couture this August and is inspired by walking one with nature and takes inspiration from the colours of country. It also documents climate change and the seasons of the native plants that I work with in my natural organic bush solar dyes," she said.

"Cultural influences are seen in my collections with screen printed bilangs (nets, bags), woven adornments and the native plants that are my bushfoods that I prepare for my everyday diet and medicine.

"Having these cultural influences shows that I am carrying the past into the present for future generations to learn and connect with. That's what Yanggurdi is, a label that creates for connection."

Leatham said the preparation for Country to Couture was a busy but rewarding journey.

"Preparing for any runway is a juggling act - making, deciding on the looks and adornments, working long days and nights handcrafting and sewing everything – can be quite daunting. When I finally see the collection on the runway, it is a relief and a very proud moment," she said.

"I feel that First Nations fashion and creativity is becoming more and more progressive with additional support from industry professionals and designers. I have had the opportunity to showcase my collections at runways and share the knowledge of my creative practice as a multidisciplinary artist," she said.

"This has provided me with a platform to share the important work I do around environmental and wildlife conservation, educating and creating conversations that can help heal country and make people aware of the changes in our climate."

"Yanggurdi is continuing to grow. I'm going to be on an ABC episode of Gardening Australia and will continue to promote slow fashion with ethical and sustainable development in the future," Leatham said.

"I plan to grow the Yanggurdi label, completing a new studio and gallery space next year, and sharing more hand-made wearable art and new upcycled textiles, which will be showcased at workshops and through my mentoring."

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