In the heart of Darwin, a vibrant celebration of Indigenous fashion and culture has taken center stage. Country to Couture, Australia’s premier showcase of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander design, has once again captivated audiences with its stunning collections and powerful narratives. This year marks a significant milestone for the event, as it expands to a two-night spectacle, reflecting its growing influence and importance within the fashion industry.
The event, now in its 11th year, has evolved from a modest showcase within the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair to a national platform that celebrates the richness of First Nations fashion, culture, and creativity. Under the theme Carried by Our Matriarchs – From Legacy, We Rise the opening runway featured 11 collections that paid tribute to the generations of First Nations women whose artistry and cultural leadership continue to shape communities today.
The Power of Indigenous Fashion
Country to Couture provides a unique opportunity for Indigenous designers to share their work and celebrate their culture through innovation, storytelling, and design. The event brings together established and emerging designers from across Australia, creating a space for cultural exchange, industry recognition, and meaningful conversations through fashion.
For designers like Natisha Tabua, the founder of fashion label Off the Plantation, Country to Couture offers a platform that goes beyond mere representation. “When we’re in those spaces [major Australian fashion weeks] we’re ticking boxes. We’re not validated for a full runway, we’re a feature,” she said. “This is a runway which puts us on that platform and people have to see us and learn all about us.”
Bobbi Lockyer, a Ngarluma, Kariyarra, Nyulnyul, and Yawuru woman and co-founder of The Mermaid Collection, echoed these sentiments. She highlighted the event’s significance in showcasing the talent of Indigenous creatives, from designers and artists to photographers and stylists. “It’s all about all the Indigenous talent that brings this together,” she said, “it’s just a beautiful celebration of culture.”
Empowering Women and Preserving Cultural Knowledge
The opening show’s theme, Carried by Our Matriarchs, underscored the importance of women’s roles in preserving and passing down cultural knowledge. Designers like Bobbi Lockyer and Natisha Tabua drew inspiration from their mothers, grandmothers, and aunties, highlighting the intergenerational transfer of skills and stories.
Bobbi Lockyer shared how her connection to fashion and design was nurtured by her mother, who taught her to sew at a young age. “The reason I’m a designer is because of my mum,” she said. “She always told me stories about how she created things, how my nanna created dresses out of old flour sacks.”
Natisha Tabua also emphasized the empowering nature of fashion for Indigenous women. “Sewing was taught to my great grandmother or my great great grandmother, all the way down to my mother, as a skill set you can have because that’s all [women] were valued for,” she said. “That was my power to reclaim it and break that generational trauma and set a new standard for our art because we are worth it.”
Expanding Horizons and Celebrating Growth
Beyond the runway, Country to Couture has become a catalyst for growth and opportunities for Indigenous designers. Rechelle Turner and Megan Daley, the duo behind Corella & Crow, have experienced this firsthand. After showcasing their first collection, Nguramban-dhi, in 2026, they returned in 2026 with their new collection, Madhan, which showcased botanical dyeing, silk painting, screen printing, and hand weaving.
Their journey highlights the event’s role in providing a national stage for Indigenous designers to share their skills and stories. “It’s an honour and absolute privilege to have a second go at it,” said Rechelle. “We’re really excited to share skills from our Country and our town and to put that on display on a national stage,” added Megan.
Country to Couture continues to reinforce the growing influence of Indigenous fashion within Australia’s creative industries. By preserving and celebrating cultural knowledge, the event not only empowers Indigenous designers but also enriches the broader fashion landscape with its unique narratives and innovative designs.
