Don’t make the mistake of telling Walmatjarri/Yamatiji woman Billie-Jean Hamlet that First Nations models and designers are having their moment in the spotlight.
“This isn’t just a moment,” corrects Hamlet, a runway regular at Australian Fashion Week and face of Seafolly swimwear. “We’ve been creating, weaving, painting and telling stories for 65,000 years.
“If anything, the fashion industry is finally catching up.”
At tonight’s opening of the National Indigenous Art Fair, the first major cultural event at the $100 million revamped Cutaway at Barangaroo in Sydney, Hamlet is showcasing the strength of First Nations fashion, having curated the launch runway show Indigenous Couture.
“I didn’t realise the amount of work I’d be doing,” says Hamlet. “Selecting the gowns came easily, but there’s the music direction, setting up the stage and the creative direction for the show.
“I no longer just have to just walk in a show – I can make one happen.”
First Nations models such as Nathan Maguire, Kaleema Donovan and Jay Campbell will bring brands such as Maara Collective, Aarli and designer Paul McCann to life on the runway.
Embedded in the interiors of the Cutaway is the work of First Nations artists Shannon Foster and Jake Nash, but Hamlet ventured further afield for inspiration for the show’s set.
“I was actually inspired by a recent Yves Saint Laurent menswear show where the models walked in circles in the sand,” Hamlet says.
In fashion, Hamlet is a supporter of cultural exchange and engagement, but the fair’s focus is First Nations creativity.
“With this leading into NAIDOC week, it’s important to focus on Indigenous culture, but outside this, fashion embraces all nationalities. It’s for everyone.”
Fair organiser Peter Cooley has gathered more than 100 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and sees the event as a learning moment for everyone.
“There’s a thirst for Aboriginal art and culture here in Sydney, but limited places where people can purchase authentic artworks directly from the artists or art centres,” Cooley says. “They’re buying authentic products and can see exactly where 100 per cent of their money goes.”
Cooley sees fashion as sitting firmly within the arts arena.
“The artworks on fabrics we’re starting to see is wearable art, and that’s a huge area. I’ve always enjoyed seeing the works on clothing. I love innovation and creativity, and it’s never-ending what’s possible.”
The fair runs across the weekend, and on Monday, Hamlet will return to modelling duties.
“It can take the industry a while to figure out where you belong,” Hamlet says. “For a long time, I was baby-faced, but now I’m doing high fashion editorials.”
Should things slow down, Hamlet has a new set of skills that stretch backstage and beyond.
“I could always just put on my own show in the Kimberley. There’s an idea.”
National Indigenous Art Fair is at the Cutaway Barangaroo until July 5.
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