Canberra-born Jahna Lugnan has walked catwalks from Darwin to New York. She says the nation’s capital misses out when it comes to First Nation fashion. Photo: Jess Whaler, Yuluwirri Studios
The National Museum of Australia will come alive in a celebration of First Nations fashion, culture and story-telling in a landmark event showcasing local and national Indigenous designers, models, artists and performers.
On Saturday 17 October, Kultural Dreaming Capital Runway will bring together more than 30 models and 13 designers to showcase everything from casual and activewear to wearable art and couture.
Organisers say it’s the first event of its kind for the nation’s capital – but it won’t be the last.
The event is co-produced by Kathleen Bolt and Jahna Lugnan of Indigenous Kultural Creations and Kristie Peters of Blaklabel Dreaming.
“We’re putting it on the map,” Ms Bolt said.
“We want everyone to walk away with a wow factor and say, ‘Oh my God, when is the next one?’.”
A Nyangbal-Githabal-Bandjalang-Widjabal woman, Ms Bolt is also a former Independent candidate for Murrumbidgee and one half of the mother-daughter dream team behind Indigenous Kultural Creations.
Though her daughter Jahna simply calls her “Momager”.
At 20, Jahna, a Bundjalung/Gumbaynaggirr woman, is an emerging yet already seasoned model, performer and fashion industry leader.
She has walked the runways at New York Fashion Week and Australian Fashion Week as a brand ambassador for First Nations fashion label Buluuy Mirrii and showcased countless other First Nations designers on catwalks from Darwin to the Gold Coast.
Jahna, who was born in Canberra, said the nation’s capital typically missed out when it came to First Nation fashion.
“We always have to travel to do things. There’s just never any opportunities here, so this is going to open a lot of doors.”
Kultural Dreaming Capital Runway aims to shine much-needed light on Ngunnawal-country based designers such as Yarrudhmarra Dreaming & Blaklabel Dreaming, Corella & Crow, Harry’s Clarry, DDesigns and Pakana Dreaming.
“They just do not get enough recognition,” she said.
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“We’re hoping to offer that exposure and that there will be key people in the audience to offer new opportunities.”
As well as unlocking opportunities, Ms Bolt and Jahna want to create an environment in which First Nations talent is properly supported and respected – from cultural authenticity to respecting modesty.
“I think it’s one of the biggest problems in the industry,” Jahna said.
“There’s cultural protocols that don’t always align with what others are doing.”
The duo has been supporting models and designers since 2021, when the pair held its first runway event on the Gold Coast.
Through their business, Indigenous Kultural Creations, they support models with their personal growth, confidence, cultural identity and leadership.
They do whatever they can to help community members reach their goals.
“If someone from the community comes to us and says ‘I’d like to model at Australian Fashion Week’, we work towards a goal of getting them there. And if they get accepted, then we support that through finding funding for accommodation and travel,” Jahna said.
“Even if I have to drive them myself.”
Ms Bolt, pictured modelling Pakana Dreaming, says Kultural Dreaming Capital Runway aims to shine much-needed light on Ngunnawal-country based designers. Photo: Jess Whaler, Yuluwirri Studios.
The benefits of their approach extend beyond the runway and into the community.
“We work with community and those who’ve have a disadvantaged backgrounds … or are struggling in life,” Jahna said.
“We introduce them to modelling and build them up to become positive.”
Workshops combine modelling skills such as deportment, grooming and personal presentation with mentoring, leadership and self-care. They also encourage conversations around difficult issues like mental health and suicide awareness.
“Whatever they do, we won’t leave them at the altar. We’ll walk them through their life. We’ll always be there.
“Our community can be disconnected at times, so it’s also bringing mobs back together to celebrate the spirits of someone else’s storyline, history and achievements.”
It’s that spirit of celebration that Ms Bolt says audiences can expect to see brought to life at the Kultural Dreaming Capital Runway – with a few surprises along the way.
“We have a surprise performer singing to one of the designers,” she teases.
“I can’t tell you about that … but it’s going to be amazing.”
Kultural Dreaming Capital Runway takes place on Saturday 17 October at the National Museum of Australia. Click here for tickets.
