Sydney's iconic Carriageworks bore witness to history yesterday, as a spectacular celebration of Blak excellence hit the runway of Australian Fashion week.
It was an all-First Nations experience, as seven First Nations fashion designers presented their work on a line-up of Blak models.
They form part of First Nations Fashion + Design (FNFD), a collection of fashion designers, textile artists, jewellery designers, photographers, models and beauty specialists.
Designers showcased were Grace Lillian Lee, AARLI, Amber Days, Nungula Creative, Sown in Time, NGARRU MIIMI, Clair Helen.
The event went beyond the sartorial for an all-around expression of First Nations cultural achievement. Models, designers and members of the audience were moved to tears at the epic display of representation and the clear change occurring in Australia's fashion landscape.
One of the nation's foremost classical musicians, yikaki/didgeridoo artist and composer William Barton opened proceedings. DRMNGNOW appeared at the halfway mark to perform 'Indigenous Land', while Luke Currie-Richardson (alumnus of national dance company Bangarra) and Cleopatra Pryce responded in movement.
To witness it all was a who's who of the Blak firmament, including Jessica Mauboy, Nooky, Sam Harris, Nathan McGuire, Jojo Zaho, Ngaiire, BARKAA, DOBBY, Rachael Hocking, Kristel Kickett, Mahalia Handley, and Mitch Tambo.
Take a look.
Luke Currie Richardson walks for Grace Lillian Lee during the First Nations Fashion + Design show during Afterpay Australian Fashion Week 2021. Source: Don Arnold/WireImage
Charlee Fraser walks for Grace Lillian Lee during the First Nations Fashion + Design show during Afterpay Australian Fashion Week 2021 Source: Matt Jelonek/WireImage
Drag star Felicia Foxx wears gown by Marrithiyel artist Paul McCann at the First Nations Fashion + Design show during Afterpay Australian Fashion Week 2021 Source: Stefan Gosatti/Getty Images
Jarawee dress on the runway First Nations Fashion + Design show during Afterpay Australian Fashion Week 2021 Source: Stefan Gosatti/Getty Images
First Nations Fashion + Design show at the Afterpay Australian Fashion Week 2021, featuring international supermodel Charlee Fraser. Source: Getty Images AsiaPac
Nungula Creative on the runway at the First Nations Fashion + Design show during Afterpay Australian Fashion Week 2021 Source: Stefan Gosatti/Getty Images
Sown In Time on the runway at the First Nations Fashion + Design show during Afterpay Australian Fashion Week 2021 Source: Stefan Gosatti/Getty Images
Sown In Time on the runway during the First Nations Fashion + Design show during Afterpay Australian Fashion Week 2021 Source: Stefan Gosatti/Getty Images
AARLI on the runway at First Nations Fashion + Design show during Afterpay Australian Fashion Week 2021 Source: Stefan Gosatti/Getty Images
Sown In Time on the runway during the First Nations Fashion + Design show during Afterpay Australian Fashion Week 2021 Source: Matt Jelonek/WireImage
Hip hop artist DRMNGNOW performs during the Sown In Time during the First Nations Fashion + Design show at the Afterpay Australian Fashion Week 2021 Source: Don Arnold/WireImage
Ngarrumiini on the runway during the First Nations Fashion + Design show during Australian Fashion Week 2021 Source: Matt Jelonek/WireImage
Amber Days label on the runway during the First Nations Fashion + Design show during Afterpay Australian Fashion Week 2021 Source: Matt Jelonek/WireImage
Drag star Felicia Foxx walks for Nungula Creative for the First Nations Fashion + Design show during Afterpay Australian Fashion Week 2021 Source: Photo by Don Arnold/WireImage
Ngarru Miimi on the runway for First Nations Fashion + Design show during Afterpay Australian Fashion Week 2021 Source: Stefan Gosatti/Getty Images
A model poses backstage ahead of the First Nations Fashion + Design show during Afterpay Australian Fashion Week 2021 Resort '22 Collections at Carriageworks Source: Mark Nolan/Getty Images
Models showcasing work by Grace Lillian Lee at First Nations Fashion runway at Afterpay Australian Fashion Week 2021
Jarron Andy presents the Welcome to Country.
Electric Fields plays during the First Nations Fashion + Design show at Afterpay Australian Fashion Week 2021 Source: Photo by Stefan Gosatti/Getty Images
A model walks the runway during the First Nations Fashion + Design show during Afterpay Australian Fashion Week 2021 Resort '22
Nungula Creative on the runway at the First Nations Fashion + Design show for Afterpay Australian Fashion Week 2021 Source: Getty Images AsiaPac
Drag Queen and contestant on Ru Paul's Drag Race Down Under, Jojo Zaho attends the First Nations Fashion + Design show during Afterpay Australian Fashion Week 2021 Source: Mackenzie Sweetnam/Getty Images
Jessica Mauboy, Sam Harris and Nathan Mcguire attend the First Nations Fashion + Design show during Afterpay Australian Fashion Week 2021 Source: Mackenzie Sweetnam/Getty Images
Jarron Andy hugs Luke Currie Richardson backstage during the First Nations Fashion + Design show at the Afterpay Australian Fashion Week 2021 Source: Mark Nolan/Getty Images
Models pose backstage ahead of the First Nations Fashion + Design show during Afterpay Australian Fashion Week 2021 Resort '22 Collections at Carriageworks Source: Mark Nolan/Getty Images
Models show emotion backstage during the First Nations Fashion + Design show during Australian Fashion Week 2021 Resort '22 Collections at Carriageworks Source: Mark Nolan/Getty Images
Emotions run high backstage during the First Nations Fashion + Design show during Australian Fashion Week 2021. Source: Mark Nolan/Getty Images
Models and designers celebrate backstage during of the First Nations Fashion + Design show during Australian Fashion Week 2021 Source: Mark Nolan/Getty Images
Creative Director and designer Grace Lillian Lee with Jarron Andy backstage during the First Nations Fashion + Design show during Afterpay Australian Fashion Week Source: Getty Images AsiaPac
Models pose backstage ahead of the First Nations Fashion + Design show during Afterpay Australian Fashion Week 2021 Source: Getty Images AsiaPac
Backstage ahead of the First Nations Fashion + Design show during Afterpay Australian Fashion Week 2021 Source: Getty Images AsiaPac
