Returning to the Melbourne Fashion Week runway for the second time, First Nations fashion brand Kaninda revealed their new 'Dry Season' 2026 collection on Monday.
Initially launched in 2012 by Indigenous designer and creative Lilla Gagliano, Kaninda has only grown with the designer's success.
Returning to Melbourne Fashion Week's ganbu marra runway, Kaninda's new collection is inspired by the natural elements and surrounds of the Pilbara.
"This is actually our second time being part of the Ganbu Marra runway at Melbourne Fashion Week. Our first experience was unforgettable, it opened doors, built connections, and really reaffirmed how much our culture belongs on national stages like this," Gagliano told Style Up.
"We were so proud to be invited back to continue sharing our story and show how our brand has evolved.
"We're showing our Dry Season 2026 collection a ready-to-wear line inspired by the earthy tones of the Pilbara. The colour palette is drawn from the deep reddish brown colour of the hills and rocks."
When it came to styles of garments on the runway, Gagliano incorporated her brand's signature reference to turtles, waterholes and the connection to rivers and Country.
"This collection continues our Long Neck Turtle series, which has become the signature of Kaninda. The turtle represents transformation and connection to waterholes, rivers and Country," Gagliano said.
"The Dreamtime story behind it tells how the sea turtle turned into a freshwater turtle, changing from green to brown. That story inspired this season's palette and message of resilience."
Always seeking and being inspired by new elements and references to Country, the talented designer said creating has become much more than just a career to her.
"I've always been a creative person, I've been working in the fashion space for over 20 years. I started hand-painting fabrics using batik and serti techniques before shifting into digital design, where I now create all our prints," she said.
"For me, creating is more than a career, it's a way of storytelling and connecting to Country through fashion.
"If the Billabong brand celebrates the Australian beaches, Kaninda celebrates the rivers, creeks, and waterholes of the bush. Our prints are all designed in-house and centred around our long neck turtle, which is also our logo and a symbol of our home at Kaninda Rockhole."
Considering the brand's growth since launching, Gagliano said Kaninda's niche is that it strives to always fuse cultural storytelling with everyday comfort.
"Kaninda launched in 2012 long before Indigenous fashion became the national movement it is today, so we're the OG's and have really grown with the industry," she said.
"Our pieces are simple, wearable, and made for the Australian lifestyle, especially the Pilbara heat. What makes us unique is the balance between cultural storytelling and everyday comfort, we want our clothes to be lived in.
"Seeing people wear Kaninda and feel proud is always a highlight. Being part of Ganbu Marra for the first time was a huge milestone, as it gave us a platform to represent our community and our story. Watching my daughter who the brand is named after grow alongside it has also been incredibly rewarding."
With plans to expand their operations, the brand's success is set to only increase moving forward.
"We're expanding our operations in Perth and setting up a larger base in Rivervale where we'll manage stock for national and international orders," Gagliano said.
"Our next big goal is to strengthen our social media presence creating more behind-the-scenes and lifestyle content to connect with our community.
"We'd love to collaborate with other brands or creatives who share our vision for authentic, story- driven design. We're open to partnerships that can help us grow, expand our reach, and build opportunities for other First Nations creatives in the process."
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