The Australia Council for the Arts has announced the first recipients of its new Flourish fund for First Nations fashion and textile design.

The 21 recipients include First Nations designers, and First Nations owned and run Businesses and community arts organisations from across Australia.

The investment will support production and design, as well as professional development and increased digital visibility for the First Nations Textile design and fashion sector.

Among the recipients, founder of House of Darwin, Shauny Edwards said: “House of Darwin are so humbled and proud to be a recipient of the Flourish grant. The flourish grant allows us to reach for the stars and try to take on the big brands around Australia and the world as this investment gives us the opportunity to bring in a world-class mind to grow and expand beyond the borders of the Northern Territory.”

Designer and founder of First Nations swimwear brand Liandra Swim, Liandra Gayamangu said: “The Flourish Fund will support opportunities for growth within the international landscape which will support the growth Liandra Swim’s impact. The fund will also nurture my professional development as I access new relationships and expand my networks, both within the domestic and global markets.”

Founder of Gammin Threads, Tahnee Edwards, said: “This grant will allow me to develop an accessories range to strengthen and diversify Gammin threads product offering. It will help me to broaden my skills and processes in product design and development as well as supporting Gammin threads revenue growth by offering additional pieces and price-points, engaging more diverse audiences, and ensuring everyone can have access to First Nations design.”Australia Council Executive Director First Nations Arts and Culture Franchesca Cubillo said:

“This investment supports the continued strength, flourishing and visibility of First Nations textile design and fashion – and its important contribution to cultural expression.”

The announcement comes during an important milestone year for First Nations arts and culture, with Purrumpa – a national gathering and celebration of First Nations arts and culture to be held in October.

More information:

Full list of recipients:

• Tiwi Designs Aboriginal Corporation (Northern Territory)– for training initiatives in silkscreen artwork translation, screen making and textile production.
• Kinaway Chamber of Commerce (Victoria) – for its KIN Textile Library – artistic resource for creatives expanding their practice to include textile
• Liandra Gaykamang (Northern Territory) – The Deep Sea Collection: Together, Apart Lets Interact
• House of Darwin (Northern Territory) – scaling their retail footprint and activations nationally & internationally
• Lyllardya Houston (New South Wales) – Walumarra Collection 2022
• Gammin Threads (Victoria) – Gammin threads Accessories Range
• Nathan McGuire (New South Wales) – Solid Ochre – Debut Collection at Australian Fashion Week May 2023
• Ikuntji Artists Aboriginal Corporation (Northern Territory) – Ikuntji Artists at the London Pacific Fashion Week 2022 + Pacific Arts
• Ananguku Arts & Cultural Aboriginal Corporation (South Australia) – Iwiri and Ku Arts Textile Project
• Injalak Arts & Crafts Aboriginal Corporation (Northern Territory) – Arnhem Land Textile Design Workshop hosted and run on country by Injalak Arts
• Maria Caldwell (New South Wales) – Bundjalung Textile & Design Industry Development for emerging/mid-career creatives.
• Jarin Baigent (New South Wales) – for Jarin Street – Manfacturing/supply support & Digital Marketing/presence support
• Paul McCann (Victoria) – Paul McCann: Evolution of Indigenous Artistic Practice across Fashion Design, Jewellery and Painting
• Jedess Hudson (Queensland) – Pixelated Dreaming – Digital Fusion for Fashion
• PR Creative (Northern Territory) – Studio North x Yarrenyty Altere Artists Capsule Collection
• Juluwarlu Group Aboriginal Corporation (Western Australia) – Emerging Juluwarlu designs and designers sharing Yindjibarndi culture
• Rebecca Barlow (Western Australia) – Mambakoort Collection Deadly Denim
• Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair Foundation (Northern Territory) – research on digital marketing platform for Indigenous Art Centres’ textiles and fashion
• Ngali pty ltd (Victoria) – Ngali – expanding First Nations Creativity in the Domestic and Global Fashion Market
• Julie Appo (Queensland) – ‘Gnarla’ will support activities to extend Julie’s art practice, together with an online retail platform.
• Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council (Queensland) – Yarrabah Fashion Style 2023