Immerse yourself in the creativity of the world’s oldest continuing living cultures and redefine your wardrobe with the launch of the First Nations Designer Collections.
This month, David Jones welcomed six game-changing First Nations designers from across the country to our Elizabeth St Flagship to showcase their latest designs, creations and innovations in fashion.
The launch of the First Nations Designer Collections instore and online is a significant milestone of our flagship Indigenous Fashion Projects (IFP) Pathways Program and a celebration of creativity, community, and the incredible history and talent of the world’s oldest continuous living cultures.
From the bright to the bold, the effortless to the elevated, we invite you to delve into their awe-inspiring talent, their stories and their unique design perspectives grounded in 60,000 years of heritage.
The 6 First Nations Designers Changing The Face Of Fashion
JOSEPH & JAMES
JOSEPH & JAMES is a ready-to-wear menswear label weaving artistry into everyday functional menswear. Established in 2021 by proud Gooreng Gooreng and South Sea Islander designer Juanita Page, the brand imbues streetwear with a sartorial flair that is both high-end and accessible.
Miimi and Jiinda
Melissa Greenwood, proud Gumbaynggirr woman, is a second-generation survivor of the Stolen Generation and designer of Miimi and Jiinda – ‘Mother and Sister’. Together with her mother Lauren Jarrett, she tells personal stories through vibrant colours and bold patterns, reflecting the natural world and the journeys they have taken. For both mother and daughter, Miimi and Jiinda has been a powerful medium for healing intergenerational trauma and provided an opportunity to collaborate with other First Nations artists.
Gali Swimwear
Gali Swimwear is a menswear brand inspired by Australia’s First Nations cultures and a commitment to caring for Country. Founded by David Leslie, a proud Kamilaroi man, Gali ethically collaborates with artists, communities and creatives to locally produce men’s swimwear that celebrates and showcases the creativity and cultures of Australia’s First Nations peoples.
Lazy Girl Lingerie
Founded by Cassandra Pons, a proud Waanyi woman, Lazy Girl Lingerie seeks to inspire women to love and celebrate their bodies through the art of lingerie. Rather than be limited to the conventional constraints of sizing, Lazy Girl Lingerie takes a made-to-measure philosophy to each design, crafting pieces to suit every body shape to create lingerie that is as unique as the woman who wears it.
KAMARA
Founded in 2018 by sisters and Gugu Badhun and Kutjala descendants Naomi Collings and Kirsty Parnell, KAMARA champions sun safety through bold prints, unique designs and rich protective fabrics. The brand was born after Naomi was diagnosed with Melanoma, and delivers the foundational promise; to empower women to safely enjoy their time in the sun.
Gammin Threads
Gammin Threads is a tongue-in-cheek Naarm label celebrating culture and empowering women. Brand founder and proud Yorta Yorta and Taungurung woman, Tahnee Edwards, creates a collection of colourful apparel and accessories “for people who believe in living colourfully, paying respect and empowering women”.
Our Vision For Reconciliation
Passionate about supporting diverse design perspectives, David Jones is proud to partner with the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair Foundation’s Indigenous Fashion Projects to present the Pathways Program. An ongoing initiative, The Pathways Program works to create a future Australian fashion industry that is more inclusive and representative of First Nations design and cultures.
David Jones launched its first Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) in 2018 and has been building on this work over the past few years through creative partnerships, education, procurement and cross-cultural learning. The business is now formally reaffirming its commitment to reconciliation in Australia by launching the second Innovate RAP.
“This year, [David Jones] celebrates its 185th birthday, making it the longest-continuously operating department store in the world still trading under its original name,” says Scott Fyfe, CEO of David Jones.
“Whilst we are proud to have inspired Australia and the world for 185 years, we recognise that David Jones operates on the unceded lands of First Nations peoples and that Traditional Custodians have inspired and cared for Country for more than 60,000 years. The world’s oldest department store has much to learn from the world’s oldest [continuous] living cultures.”
David Jones can play a strong role in providing practical support to emerging and established First Nations fashion creatives through collaborations and pathway programs. Moving forward we will continue to demonstrate our respect for First Nations leaders in our industry through deep listening, storytelling, strengthened marketing support and employment opportunities. To find out more, read the latest David Jones Reconciliation Action Plan featuring artwork by proud Wiradjuri Woman Hannah Lange.
Explore and shop the First Nations Designer Collections online, or instore at our Elizabeth St Flagship from October 31st 2023.