arts

First Nations stars shine at Australian Fashion Week

Phoebe Blogg - May 28, 2025

Designer Liandra Gaykamangu (centre) on the runway. Image: Lucas Dawson (AFW).

Profiling emerging and established First Nations designers, Australian Fashion Week once again shone the spotlight on the industry's frontrunners in 2025.

With the Australian Fashion Council (with funding support from Destination NSW and Shark Beauty) leading the Week's curation and execution, this year the high-profile event boasted a streamlined but high impact five-day program.

From May 12-16, AFW showcased the work of the country's leading Indigenous designers - celebrating creativity, innovation and culture.

Each exhibiting their own unique skill set, designers featured in this year's runway were selected not only for their brand's growing status, but also their connection to country and their commitment to creating something that fuses culture and craft with contemporary mediums.

Liandra, Ngali, Miimi & Jiinda, Joseph & James and Buluuy Mirrii, were this year's selected Indigenous labels to show at AFW; with both Joseph & James and Liandra hosting their own solo runways.

Ngali on the runway. Image: Maria Marouchtchak.

With 2025 marking the brand's first time participating on the AFW catwalk, Joseph & James founder, proud Gooreng Gooreng and South Sea Islander woman Juanita Page, shared her excitement over the achievement.

"It's a massive milestone. Joseph & James launched just a few years ago, and to now be debuting our first solo runway at AFW feels both surreal and affirming. This isn't just about the clothes — it's about taking up space in a part of the industry where menswear, especially from First Nations designers, is still emerging," she said.

"We originally applied to be part of a group showcase, but Australian Fashion Council offered us the opportunity to present a solo runway as part of the official schedule — which is a huge honour."

While it was certainly not her first time on the AFW runway, designer Denni Francisco was also thrilled to showcase her brand, Ngali, at the internationally recognised event.

Bringing Ngali's signature fusion of artistry, storytelling, and sophistication to the runway, this year the brand's newest collection 'The Yawa: Journey Collection' debuted as a continuation of Ngali's mission to celebrate the gifts of Indigenous artistic expression and storytelling.

"With The Yawa: Journey Collection, we continue our mission to celebrate the strength and beauty of Indigenous storytelling through wearable art. This collection is deeply personal – it speaks to the paths we walk individually and together, and the spirit of guidance we receive from our ancestors and the land," Francisco said.

"In this collection we've created pieces that honour culture, Country, and community. It's about walking in unity, being seen, and sharing stories that transcend time through fabric and form."

Miimi & Jiinda. Image: Lucas Dawson (AFW).

When it came to the talented creatives who walked the garments down the runway, First Nations-owned and operated agency, Blaklist, stepped up to the plate.

Representing a range of First Nations creatives including models, designers, dancers, performers, actors, hosts, graphic artists and storytellers, Blaklist assisted in the event's Indigenous representation on the runway.

Joining forces with AFW saw Blaklist Agency founder Teagan Cowlishaw work with the Australian Fashion Council and designer Jordan Gogos to create opportunities for Blaklist-represented creatives and Next Gen models including Hayley Mulardy, Calli Rose Woods, Tre Turner Stone, Tynga Williams, Javier Jones, Nelson Baker, Christoper Saunders, Tiah Rotumah and Ieesha Caton.

"It means a lot to me to be able to represent culture, represent my mob and represent Blaklist. To be able to show that there is beauty in diversity. I feel really honoured to have been a part of that with Blaklist as well," said Caton.

"I want mob to be able to know that they can represent their culture, and feel confident. I would love in future years for mob to be around and to have that inclusivity."

Blaklist model Tynga Williams walking for Jordon Gogos. Image: Lucas Dawson (AFW).

Cowlishaw said seeing the Next Gen models grow was a highlight of the week.

"Connections - bond on stage to the performance - their individual character building and growing from the start to after the show, the confidence and all the training I have provided from runway, to editorial to media training, to AI mapping to networking to events," she said.

"From three participants in 2024, to now 15 total of Next Gen at AFW in 2025 - look out 2026."

Also joining the team on the runway was seasoned AFW favourite and leading First Nations powerhouse and model, Elaine George.

Continuing to play a large part in the agency's success since being on-boarded as one of Blaklist's mentors and members, George confidently walked the runway alongside the emerging Blaklist models.

Despite global sports, fashion, events, and media conglomerate IMG (International Management Group) departing as the event's sponsor last year, the Australian Fashion Council executed the event in the same distinguished, high-fashion manner.

While there is always room for greater representation of First Nations creatives and communities, 2025's Australian Fashion Week demonstrated Indigenous designers are going from strength to strength.