Façon at Fashion Week

Façon had the immense honour of being invited to the Indigenous Fashion Projects (IFP) runway at this year’s Afterpay Australian Fashion Week. Up-and-coming First Nations designers showed off their latest collections to an eager crowd at Sydney’s iconic Carriageworks, topped off with a performance by Jess Mauboy!

Following the success of the inaugural IFP Runway in 2021, Indigenous designers returned to the main stage, where internationally celebrated First Nations Australian models such as Samantha Harris, Nathan McGuire and Friend of David Jones, Magnolia Maymuru, stunned in a magnificent display of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander design.

Façon got to see exclusive collections from the following designers: Kirrikin, by Wonnarua designer Amanda Healy; Liandra Swim, by Yolngu designer Liandra Gaykamangu; Maara Collective, by

Yuwaalaraay designer Julie Shaw; Native Swimwear, by Biripi and Ngarabal designer Natalie Cunningham; and, Ngali, by Wiradjuri designer Denni Francisco.

As First Nations women fast making their mark on the global fashion landscape, the designers have been pushing the boundaries and using fashion as a platform to tell their stories and share their unique culture through their designs.

The Façon team were wowed by the designs and presentation. The runway showcased some of the best fashion Australia has to offer at the moment, with fresh takes on swimwear and gorgeous statement patterns. Our team was also lucky enough to spend a few moments backstage before the runway and meet some of the designers, all of whom were very excited to be sharing their latest collections at the largest fashion event in the country.

DAAFF and IFP’s creative director, Shilo McNamee said the runway aesthetics were designed to take guests on an immersive sensory journey from the desert heart of Australia, along freshwater rivers, through to the sea.

“Connection to Country is core to the artistic practice of so many First Nations designers and creatives,” she said. “It’s been so rewarding to see this represented on the runway. I feel extremely grateful to have been able to work with so many talented people and to be mentored by industry leaders.”

The IFP Runway, a Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair Foundation (DAAFF) initiative, presented by Afterpay and supported by David Jones was an incredible experience for the Façon team and we look forward to seeing what these talented designers do next!

Written by JACK BAILEY