Recognised as one of Australia's most profound award-winning contemporary Indigenous art and sustainable fashion labels, Miimi & Jiinda are renowned for their niche collections and impressive runways - as seen this month at AFC Australian Fashion Week.
Debuting their new 'Bambuuda Garlaawirr' (Morning Light) collection on the Australian Fashion Week New Generation runway, Miimi & Jiinda returned to showcase their newest creations to a variety of influential fashion critics, media and press.
Inspired by creation stories and the first light on Country, label founder Melissa Greenwood ensured the new collection highlighted free flowing silhouettes with the addition of bold hand-painted artworks and intricate Indigenous weaving.
Greenwood, a proud Gumbaynggirr woman, shared how rewarding the experience has been and how the new collection showcases the artistic appreciation of storytelling and the joy of reflection.
"It really is just celebrating and honouring that moment in our creation stories when everything was created, the mountain, seas, river and waterways," she said.
"That first light and that first moment of creation where the light came through the mountains and over the seas and created everything.
"I wanted to really capture that moment and put it into the creation. The silhouettes on the runway are beautiful flowing silk, soft linens and they are all adorned with our beautiful artworks.
"In the runway you would have seen, some beautiful garments that were hand painted by myself and all of the textiles have been printed with my artwork as well."
Whilst Greenwood has led the expansion of Miimi & Jiinda into fashion, transforming her art into sustainable, high-end clothing, her mother, Lauren Jarrett, is a master weaver who creates intricate, handwoven adornments which complement Greewnwood's clothing on the runway, adding depth and texture to each piece.
Remaining heavily inspired by her mother and her weaving abilities, Greenwood said it is the strong women in her life such as her mother who continue to inspire her and the way she creates.
"I come from a really strong line of matriachs, mum, nan and gran," Greenwood told Style Up.
"It is a real honour and special moment for us to be here today and celebrate that and be proud of where we come from and who we are and what we have been up to.
"It was really only a couple of years ago that Indigenous fashion designers came onto the scene. I am here to celebrate that and keep pushing that forward, showing and telling our stories with pride.
"It is really something I never would have dreamed of as a child growing up."
Considering the garments featured in the new 'Bambuuda Garlaawirr' collection, Greenwood has mastered the art of balancing great design with aesthetics and functionality.
Featuring a variety of couture hand-painted pieces including a striking Indigenous wedding dress, the 'Bambuuda Garlaawirr' collection also spotlights woven elements by Jarrett and a continued commitment to ethical, small-batch production using sustainable linens, silks and natural fibres.
Despite beginning as an art practice, Miimi & Jiinda has evolved into a sustainable fashion label that pays respect to Country, cultural storytelling, and matriarchal strength.
With a series of accolades and achievements under their belt, Miimi & Jiinda's 2025 Australian Fashion Week showcase reaffirmed its status as an Indigenous brand bound for ongoing success.
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