These are the emerging Indigenous designers to watch, according to Yatu Widders Hunt

We’re currently experiencing a serious shift in the Australian fashion industry. In light of our growing awareness and concern for our climate, as consumers, we are becoming more interested in the production practices of our favourite brands. This has also meant that we’re beginning to think more locally in the way that we source our threads.

Writer Yatu Widders Hunt began her online fashion curatorial Instagram @ausindigenousfashion because she observed an absence of media attention surrounding emerging Indigenous creatives.

“I didn’t think that they had enough visibility in the mainstream press. So, I wanted to make a platform that really showcased what was going on in a sector that I didn’t think many people knew much about. But also, to really showcase the diversity of what was going on in Indigenous arts and fashion.”

Using Instagram as a fun, engaging and accessible platform, Yatu has garnered a following that currently sits at 29,500 and counting. Recognising that many emerging Indigenous designers share their content via social media, Yatu uses her Instagram to create direct exposure for businesses, the overarching goal being to educate people about the Australian story through visual expression.

“In terms of the barriers that exist for Indigenous Australians in the fashion industry, to be honest, I think the main thing is visibility. I don’t think that we shine enough of a light on what’s going on in the Indigenous fashion sector, and these are stories that are just waiting to be told.”

Yatu emphasises that sustainability and consideration for the land is traditionally part of Indigenous creative practices. “We have very, very, very strong cultural protocols around caring for country, and caring for others, and a lot of our beautiful labels are very sustainable,” she says.

The core difference between contemporary mass-market production and Indigenous design practices comes down to sustainability – the consideration paid to the land and preservation translates into garment making. Indigenous and Torres Strait Island peoples have produced and created in this way for more than 80,000 years.

“We’re at a time in our country’s history that we can really reflect on the fact that Indigenous history and stories are really part of who we are as a collective, and they can be shared and celebrated by everyone. I think fashion and design are very fun and accessible ways to tell those stories and keep culture alive.”

“I also think the [Indigenous Australian] styles and designs are probably ones that haven’t been seen very much in Australia, or internationally. I think it’s something that we should all be very proud of in Australia, that we are creating unique and beautiful work that is linked to a very ancient tradition.”

Here is a line-up of some of Yatu’s favourite brands, so you can get informed and give these exciting emerging Indigenous Australian designers the support they deserve.

Ngali is a Melbourne-based fashion label, incorporating the artwork of Indigenous artist Lindsay Malay across silks and other textiles. The brand also prides itself on its work collaborating with First Nations’ identities.

“I think it’s a label that really stands out, because I think when we think of Aboriginal art, a lot of the images that we see regularly have very bright colours and dot paintings. But I think Ngali actually helps to show the breadth and diversity of the styles of Aboriginal art.”