Melbourne Fashion Week has officially concluded for another year. Having featured more than 10 Indigenous designers from October 23-29, this year's seasonal fashion event showcased the community's top-performing creatives whilst also proving that – slowly yet surely – the industry is shifting towards greater representation and diversity for First Nations creatives.
With many notable standout runways, celebrity appearances and designer debuts, Style Up has highlighted the fashion event's most noteworthy moments.
Brooke Blurton wears First Nations fashion brand Ikuntji Artists
To celebrate Melbourne Fashion Week's Indigenous gambu marra runway, Australian youth worker, media personality and former reality star, Brooke Blurton, attended the runway wearing popular First Nations brand Ikuntji Artists.
Born and raised in Carnarvon, Western Australia, Blurton is a proud Noongar-Yamatji woman. With a strong interest in both fashion and her culture, she chose to show her support for Ikuntji Artists by wearing one of the brand's newly created two-piece skirt and jacket sets.
With the set's cloth designed by artist Mavis Marks, renowned tailoring brand Mr A Taylor curated the set's constructional design and fit.
"Attending the ganbu marra show this week was exactly what I needed. The whole showcase of First Nations Designers was phenomenal and to wear Ikuntji Artists as part of Melbourne Fashion Week was so special," Blurton said via a post on her Instagram.
House of Darwin steals the spotlight at Collarts Underground Runway
Debuting their first full cut-and-see range, Indigenous-founded apparel and clothing brand House of Darwin gained the attention of both media and press at Day 4 of Melbourne Fashion Week with their newest collection.
Influenced by the array of weather patterns that the Northern Territory is inherently known for, the newest collection from the brand featured everything from blue resembling Tie Dyed trousers to motfis T-Shirts with maps of Australia, native animals and local flora and fauna.
Ngali celebrated their new collection launch and crowdfunding announcement with an exclusive High Tea event
After having recently announced their business expansion into crowdfunding all eyes were on award-winning First Nations fashion brand Ngali last week.
To celebrate this announcement and the brand's newest collection, selected VIP guests were invited to an intimate High Tea and fashion preview, held at Melbourne's luxury Pullman On the Park Hotel.
Aside from an intimate in conversation with Ngali designer and founder Denni Francisco and a runway preview of the latest collection, guests were also treated to a culturally culturally crafted High Tea experience.
In line with Ngali's ethos, "Together we Create" the specially designed High Tea menu showcased a selection of premium Indigenous produce from the Indigenous Supply Chain and products, including Ilan Style Teas.
First Nations model Luca Saunders walked her first Melbourne Fashion Week Runway
Despite it being her first time walking at Melbourne Fashion Week, 18-year-old Luca Saunders took to the runway like a returning professional.
As a proud Biripi woman and fashion enthusiast, the young model was thrilled to be part of this year's event.
"I loved being a part of Melbourne Fashion Week this year, the environment was so much fun and exciting and I met so many new people…I cannot wait for the next one," Saunders told Style Up.
Having already worked for popular First Nations fashion brands Miimi and Jiinda and Ihraa Swim, as well as being signed by international modelling conglomerate IMG, Saunders has her sights on continual success.
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