Performances celebrate 10 years of CIAF fashion

Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF) has confirmed an impeccable line up of 15 Indigenous fashion designers and wearable art makers from across Queensland whose collective response to the 2023 theme Woven will tell a powerful story marking 10 years of fashion performances.

CIAF’s Fashion Performance Curator our talents, lifestyle, and culture to a wider audience. traditional practices.

Lynelle Flinders said the organisation had received an unprecedented response from Queensland’s emerging and established Indigenous fashion designers wanting to participate in this year’s historic event following a call out issued in January 2023.

“From Quandamooka Country in southeast Queensland to the Cape and Torres Strait, we are pleased to announce a stellar line up designers who will individually express the Woven theme in what will be a collectively powerful and engaging showcase,” Ms Flinders said.

Participating designers in 2023 include Emily Beckley from the Torres Strait who, from her home on Horn Island (Ngurupai) as a Meriam-Samsep and Panai of Maguiag women, said she was ecstatic to play a part.

Together we can make an impact in a positive way,” she said.

While an artist for over 40 years with two collections in the National Gallery of Australia, Ms Beckley said she was still a relative newcomer to the fashion industry with just five years of experience.

“My collection will feature the geometric patterns and imagery of Mer (Murray Island) bridal pendants to tell an origin story of turtles, fish, pearls and so on,” she said.

“My art is concerned with reviving and maintaining cultural practices,” she said.

CIAF’s three ticketed fashion performances will be enjoyed by festival-goers in the atmospheric round of Tank 3, Tanks Arts Centre on Thursday 13 July and Friday 14 July 2023.

Tickets go on sale at the end of April.

Call for models

in showing the designs of designers via the Performances, a professional photoshoot and a pre-show, mentoring experience, working closely with Lynelle Flinders (curator) and Hans Ahwang(choreographer).

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“This platform enables Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders like me to showcase

Ms Beckley will create eight looks that have drawn inspiration from her surroundings and

Ms Flinders said she and choreographer, professional dancer, model and mentor Hans Ahwang had worked hard to create a world-class performance.

MEANWHILE CIAF has invited models to apply to be a part of Woven

Models were encouraged to apply to participate

Applications are open to Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander models and emerging models here: https://ciaf.com.au/news/ call-out-models

EOIs close 5pm Monday 24 April 2023

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