Designer hits a high

Talented Indigenous creator takes her Jarawee label to a new level

l KURANDA

| Isabella Guzman Gonzalez

PROUD Quandamooka woman and prominent Indigenous designer Briana Enoch will take her label Jarawee to new heights through The Iconic x FNFD Incubator program for Indigenous fashion.

Ms Enoch and her brand Jarawee were chosen from a cohort of 25 Indigenous designers in Australia.

The Iconic and First Nations Fashion + Design have partnered to support Indigenous fashion. Through their sevenmonth pilot incubator program, First Nations designers will receive hands-on experience, industry and manufacturing development and the opportunity to sell their collection through The Iconic.

“Jarawee was my traditional name given to me when I was a baby, and it means ‘pretty little bird’,” she said.

“I loved my culture, and I love fashion, and I wanted to infuse the two.

“The only thing I could connect with fashion at the time was hand-painted shoes and bags until I could figure out how to put my artwork on fabric.

“Now I’m at the point where I need to manufacture the clothes, which is exciting, but this program has paired us with industry mentors to get us to that next phase with our fashion label.”

The program aims to help designers create commercially viable and sustainable business models through mentoring with industry trailblazers like Pip

Edwards (P.E, Nation), Johnny Schembri (By Johnny), and Laura and Tristan Liles (King Csilla), plus respected cultural mentors.

“I was surprised I made it into the top six, and to make it into the final three, I was gobsmacked,” Ms Enoch said.

“My brand has been sought after, but I need to get through the manufacturing process be- cause people want to buy my stuff.

“I’ve been linked with Pip Edwards, and she said ‘Whatever you need help with, I will introduce you to whoever you need from my team,’ so I’m excited.

“I’ll have my first meeting with my cultural mentor Julie Shaw from MAARA Collective, and she’s showing that we (First

Nations) can get into this industry and bring our cultural heritage with our fashion designs.”

Ms Enoch said her goal was to solve her manufacturing issues and promote Indigenous fashion.

“I’m most excited about connecting with the right people to help me with the next stage of the manufacturing process,” she said.

Catalina memorial service l FNQ

THE Royal Australian Air Force will conduct a commemorative ceremony and unveil a plaque for the nine crew members of Catalina A24-64 who perished in 1944 at the Catalina Memorial (right) in Cairns on Sunday.

A Defence spokesman said No. 43 Squadron Catalina A2464 was lost on December 14, 1944 on Mindoro Island in the Philippines while on a mission during the Second World War. He said the Directorate of Historical Unrecovered War Casualties – Air Force conducted a reconnaissance mission to the Catalina A24-64 crash site from March 3-13, 2019.

“During the commemorative ceremony, wreaths will be laid by the Chief of Air Force Air Marshall Robert Chipman, family representatives of the crew members, and other dignitaries,” the spokesman said.

“It’s a big opportunity, but it’s also scary because you don’t want to fail, but as First Nations people, we learn to be resilient and persevere.

“I’m taking my culture with me, and I hope to inspire our young people because what we learn, we want to pass that on.”

To find out more about the Iconic x FNFD program, visit www. firstnationsfashiondesign.com

“A P-8 Poseidon aircraft, operated by No 11 Squadron, will fly over the Catalina Memorial during the ceremony.

“During the following reception, next of kin of the crew members will be presented with their lost family member’s certificates of service and medal entitlements.”

The ceremony is at 8.45am the memorial of the Cairns Esplanade followed by a reception at Rydges Esplanade Resort.