Rich in culture and tradition, Indigenous artwork transcends thousands of years of storytelling. Indigenous Australian artists express these stories in various forms, as taught by their Ancestors. Most recently, this expression has found its way into collabs with Aussie brands.
Significantly, the number of Aussie brands choosing to incorporate Indigenous culture into their collections has increased. By amplifying the voices of First Nations people, conscious brands have given Australian Indigenous artists a platform to bring their art to the mainstream. Not only does this bring exposure to the artist, but it also provides a way for consumers to ethically purchase their artwork.
Beyond fashion, there are so many Australian Indigenous artists bringing their culture and traditions to items like jewellery, homewares, music and even gaming. If you’re someone who considers arts and culture part of the fabric of society, we’ve compiled a list of all the recent Australian Indigenous artist collabs you won’t want to miss.
Kip and Co x Bábbarra
Founded in 2012, Kip and Co is a Melbourne-based bedding brand with a passion for conscious collabs. Its most recent collab was with The Bábbarra Women’s Centre based in Maningrida, Arnhem Land. The dreamy collection includes quilt covers, pillowcases, placement sets and napkin sets.
Accordingly, the brand pledges to split all royalties equally with artists. They showcase the artist’s work on their website along with their background story and influences.
GQ Magazine x Whadjuk Noongar culture
In the latest print issue of GQ Magazine model Nathan McGuire, a Whadjuk Noongar man and stylist Rhys Ripper, a Yorta Yorta man teamed up on a remarkable photoshoot that pays homage to McGuire’s Wadjuk Noongar roots. The shoot merged luxury fashion items from brands like Dior and Prada with Australian Indigenous culture.
First, a traditional ochre paint applied in a style unique to the Whadjuk Noongar tribe and ‘tjun tjuns‘ made by Morris were held, both with the blessing of McGuire’s father and Wadjuk Elder Morris McGuire. The colour blue also appears regularly in the shoot as it is a traditional colour of the Wadjuk Noongar people.
North x The Warlu Collection
North is a fashion label that celebrates and supports Aboriginal artists from Northern Territory communities. They partner up with remote art centres to produce high-quality products including clothing, homewares and accessories and their Warlu Collection is with the artists of Yuendumu and Nyrippi communities. Each artwork in the collection features one of the artist’s dream stories, known as their Jukurrpa.
North is also a not-for-profit which means all the money raised circles right back into creative development opportunities.
One of Twelve x Martumili
One of Twelve is social enterprise that works with Indigenous artists across the Asia Pacific Region. They have already collaborated with so many incredible artists and their latest with Martumili is nothing short of stunning.
The collection features a line-up of silk scarves and ties and the artwork depicts the sacred sites of their homeland.
Maxwell and Williams x Melanie Hava
Indigenous artist Melanie Hava has teamed up with homewares brand Maxwell and Williams for their latest collection. Her work is inspired by reefs, rainforests, Indigenous culture and her mother’s Austrian heritage.
Accordingly, the collection includes tea towels, water bottles, mugs and coasters all imbued with stunning expression.
Concrete Jellyfish x Rachael Sarra
Rachael Sarra is a contemporary Aboriginal designer and artist. Her latest collaboration saw her team up with Australian design studio Concrete Jellyfish on a jewellery collection.
So far, the duo has teamed up on two collections, both of which sold out immediately. Their next collection is due for release in early 2021.
Adairs x Miimi and Jiinda
Adairs have teamed up with Indigenous artists and mother-daughter duo Miimi and Jiinda on a homewares collection that includes organic cotton bed linen, cushions, table lights, coffee cups, bags and even home fragrances. It has it all!
Artists Lauren Jarrett and Melissa Greenwood (Miimi and Jiinda) are from the Gumbaynggur, Dunghutti and Bandjalung tribes of Australia’s East Coast. Their bold and colourful work explores what it means to be an Aboriginal woman.
Acknowledgement of Country
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the Country on which we live and work, the Gadigal people of the Eora nation, and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.
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