Australian First Nations Fashion Strengthens Ties in New Delhi

Post by : Mina Rahman

New Delhi recently hosted a prominent display of Australian First Nations fashion, where ancestral motifs met contemporary tailoring. The presentation was organised by the Australian High Commission alongside Kirrikin and the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) to place Indigenous Australian creativity on India’s fashion map.

The evening opened with a traditional Aboriginal dance, a practice tracing back more than 60,000 years. Performers moved to rhythms evoking native wildlife such as the kangaroo and emu, illustrating the oral and visual storytelling at the core of First Nations cultural practice. The performance framed the garments that followed as cultural narratives rendered in cloth.

At the centre of the event was Kirrikin — a name from the Wonnarua language meaning “Sunday’s best clothes” — the luxury label founded by Indigenous designer Amanda Healy. Kirrikin is recognised for adapting First Nations artworks into high-end textiles; the latest collection was designed in Australia and produced in Noida, underscoring a growing creative and manufacturing collaboration between the two countries.

Sunil Sethi, Chairman of FDCI, observed that fashion serves as a conduit between cultures, noting the expanding global appreciation for Indigenous craftsmanship and storytelling that events like this promote.

The showcase also celebrated Kirrikin’s 10th anniversary and its first runway presentation in India. The collection, titled ‘Evoke’, comprised tailored blazers, fluid wrap dresses, soft crepe skirts and structured trousers, each piece translating First Nations visual language into contemporary silhouettes. Drawing inspiration from the Noongar people of southwest Western Australia, the garments used fine viscose crepe and featured hand-painted prints reflecting regional landscapes, ancestral spirits and narrative motifs.

Amanda Healy explained her decision to work with Indian suppliers by praising the quality and variety of fabrics available, highlighting the practical and creative synergy between nations. The event concluded as both a fashion moment and a cultural exchange, converting long-standing traditions into expressions for an international audience.