Global Indigenous Runway - My Spirit, My Country

My Spirit, My Country is a unique and powerful fashion runway in Melbourne, Australia that featured First Nations peoples from around the world. The design aesthetic of the venue included old barrels of wine that were positioned in place to create the backdrop of the runway hinting references of post-colonial influence. The industrial grey pillars of steel spoke of time and place, enabling the past and present worlds to coexist just as it does in fashion. Flora and fauna featured into the design setting to make it appear as if nature had crept back into civilization, signifying the empowerment of designers reappropriating, and evolving their own designs. Island settings were built to represent the continents of First Nations peoples and centred around the elements of Earth, Water and Fire. It has gone beyond traditional fashion shows showcasing the richness of Indigenous cultures and their relationship to the elements and to land.
We themed spaces spotlighting moments transporting audiences to the campfires in Australia, coastlines in New Zealand and Volcanic islands of the Pacific. The result was a celebration of the world’s first launching pad for First Nations fashion designers, models, and creatives from around the globe.
Global Indigenous Co has made their mark on the global fashion landscape, pushing boundaries and using fashion as a platform for First Nations designers to tell and share their stories and histories through their designs. The First Nations Indigenous models that walked the runway had undergone an intensive training week as part of Global Indigenous Co's program and from diverse backgrounds and featured trans, nonbinary, plus-size, and mature-aged models. For most, it was their first time walking a runway. ‘My Spirit, My Country’ showcased this spectacular celebration of fashion merged with storytelling by First Nations peoples. This stunning and immersive runway experience captured the beauty and diversity of First Nations peoples in a meaningful and empowering way.