Despite having a baby, being on maternity leave and juggling her new role as a mother, designer Maddy Hope Hoggetts has garnered attention at Melbourne Fashion Week following the release of Yapa Mali's Bunggan fashion collection.
Displaying the new collection on Melbourne Fashion Week's ganbu marra runway, the talented designer watched on from home as her designs walked the runway.
"I've been on maternity leave so I haven't been working on much for Yapa Mali. It's been exciting to slowly get back into it for the ganbu marra runway," Hodgetts told Style Up earlier this week.
"I was contacted by the amazing team organising the ganbu marra runway show. Unfortunately with bub I won't be attending Melbourne this year, being regional it's a bit of a trek, but I'll be sending my collection down and watching from a far."
When it came to the collection Hodgetts sent down the runway, the talented designer opted to showcase both her new Bunggan collection as well as a handful of the brand's archival cultural adornments pieces.
"This collection tells a story of the Bunggan River on Wangaaupuwan Country," Hodgetts said.
"It flows through Nyngan where I live so I'm very connected to the river. I spend a lot of time down there, whether it be weaving, practicing my language or just sitting and being present on Country.
"Unfortunately the word Bunggan has now been Culturally appropriated and referred to as "Bogan". So the collection will also focus on revitalisation and reclamation of traditional Ngiyampaa language."
On the topic of motherhood and how she is juggling the role of both a parent and designer, Hodgetts said whilst it can be exhausting she is thrilled to have had a daughter and continue the creative journey as a designer with her.
"It's been challenging but I'm in love with my baby girl," she said.
"Yapa Mali has been put on hold, but with this opportunity to show the Bunggan collection again, I've been focusing on production, so hopefully the collection will be released for sale soon.
"I definitely have plans to create a collection for my daughter. She's named after the Nhiilyi tree which is a specific wattle tree on Ngiyampaa County.
"So I plan to learn more about that story and hope to bring to life the Nhiilyi Collection. You might even see some kids designs."
Considering current fashion industry trends, Hodgetts said she always finds fresh inspiration by experimenting and trialling different design techniques.
"I've been doing a lot more eco-dying on silks and I'm loving it! It's a very sustainable and natural practice, I collect native plants or flowers too so it really connects you back to country," she said.
"You will differently start to see my collections infused with eco-dyed silks that compliment my prints."
A dreamy collection which reflects her down to earth nature, Hodgetts' Bunggan collection aims to elude a sense of both comfort and style.
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