First Nations brand Gali Swimwear has wowed crowds with a new collaboration with Indigenous artist artist Dennis Golding.

Created by proud Kamilaroi man and volunteer surf lifesaver David Leslie, Gali Swimwear is 100 per cent Aboriginal owned.

This month Leslie joined forces with Golding for a unique collection shown at Melbourne Fashion Festival's Back In Blak runway.

Leslie shared that the collection shown on the Back In Blak runway is only a sneak preview of a full collection that will be launched with Golding later this year.

"We're excited to showcase new GALI designs at MFF this year, created in collaboration with Kamilaroi/Gamilaraay artist Dennis Golding. It's an honour to be part of the Back in Blak runway, and it's also a great opportunity for us to work alongside and meet other talented First Nations designers, sharing our stories and creative visions," he said.

"The collection we presented at Melbourne Fashion Festival... celebrating (Golding's) ancestral ties to Kamilaroi Country and his roots in Redfern's The Block... (is) a preview of a full collection that Gali will launch with Dennis later this year."

When discussing the inspiration and curation behind the collaborative collection, Leslie shared how the design and colour palette reflects back on Golding's upbringing and early childhood.

"'Growing up on the block' symbolises Dennis' childhood in The Block, with imagery of campfires, terrace houses, and land and water pathways. The design incorporates the colours of his Nan's house on Eveleigh Street, connecting his personal history to the artwork," Leslie told Style Up.

"Freshwater Saltwater" captures his journey from Country to City, with gradient colours referencing the change from freshwater to saltwater.

"'Eucalypt' honours Dennis' family heritage, reflecting the strength and growth of Aboriginal culture through native flora, inspired by his family's land in North West NSW."

Leslie noted the rise in First Nations designers specialising in menswear.

"First Nations designers have been making significant strides in menswear for a while now. 60 per cent of the designers in the Back in Blak runway cater for men, alongside brands such as Joseph and James, House of Darwin, Magpie Goose, Gammin Threads, and Ikuntji Artists, just to name a few," he said.

"As we move into 2025, it's exciting to think about the continued impact First Nations designers will have in shaping menswear in Australia, bringing new designs to the forefront and continuing to evolve the industry."

Leslie said he is looking forward to growing the brand internationally, further cementing ongoing relationships and partnerships beyond Australia.

"We're focused on continuing to grow our brand internationally this year, building on the amazing momentum from last year when we shared the stories and cultures of the artists and communities we work with across 36 countries," he said.

"I'm also excited to be collaborating with new artists and Art Centers to create new iconic collections. Additionally, there's a special collection we're working on for 2026 that is personal to me - it's a part of my childhood that I can't wait to launch."

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