Textile Design

NORTH is a not-for-profit lifestyle brand facilitating the economic agency of remote Aboriginal artists and art centres. These artists share stories of their connection to country through jilamara (design).

Tiwi Strong Women’s Collection is a range of hand screen-printed wearable textiles, created by artists from Jilamara Arts and Crafts in the Tiwi Islands over 12 months. These artists are Pirlangimpi, Milikapiti and Wurrumiyanga people.

NORTH is underpinned by slow fashion principles. Each linen piece is handsewn in Melbourne and uses only water-soluble paints for printing. Deadstock fabric is repurposed as accessories or sent to Tiwi sewers in a Darwin-based workshop.

Textile practice signifies a new medium for Tiwi artists to tell stories, share culture and engage with the contemporary Australian design world. In addition to providing extra revenue, the Aboriginal-led workshops produced in collaboration with NORTH aim to deepen skill sharing between artists and enrich local art practices within participating communities.

Opportunity to share the process, achievements and stories of the artists within their community is built into NORTH’s project plans and funding models. Every project is supported by community Elders.

“An incredibly considered Australian fashion label with great social and ethical practices. I hope they can continue to strike that balance and grow for years to come.” – Cassie Byrnes

Finalists

Commendation

Kip&Co with Bábbarra Women’s Centre Kip&Co x Bábbarra

The iconic lifestyle brand and the Maningrida-based women’s organisation join forces on this collection of hand printed homewares. Both creative groups are female-led.

“What an incredible collaboration that has been delivered with sensitivity and respect to the artist involved. Great transparency around copyright and percentage of profits that are going back to the artists.” – Cassie Byrnes

ANNIE COOPER

Annie Coop Textiles

BAINA

Collection .01

MAGPIE GOOSE

Magpie Goose x Ikuntji

GORMAN AND MANGKAJA ARTS

RESOURCE AGENCY Mangkaja x Gorman

GEMMA THREADGATE

Threadgate

Commendation

Ellen McKenna From Art to Fashion

The debut large-scale, solo exhibition of artist Ellen McKenna showcases the complex process of developing a garment of clothing through art. The show’s objective is to highlight an alternative to the seasonal turn-arounds of the disposable fashion model.

“The works exhibited are not only beautiful and bold, but I especially love that the artist is questioning our relationship between art, fashion and consumerism.” – Luciana Wallis