The Guardian Australia Produces its First-Ever Spread Featuring Indigenous Australian Artists, Designers and Models
Indigenous model Nathan McGuire wearing: sculpture by Rhonda Sharpe via Yarrenyty Arltere artists; necklace ‘Gumnut Bling’ by Paul McCann; Warlu x North Home shirt featuring print by Steven Jupurrurla Nelson. Courtesy of The Guardian, 2020: Max Doyle.
In celebration of the Bendigo Regional Gallery’s Piinpi exhibition, the Guardian Australia produced a photoshoot in consultation with the gallery. The Guardian Australia produced a first-of-its-kind fashion shoot, focusing on garments and textiles created by 28 First Nations fashion designers and artists. The renowned online and print newspaper not only embraced Indigenous designers, the photoshoot had an all Indigenous model cast and the story was creative directed and styled by Cobber magazine founder and proud Yorta Yorta man (based in Gadigal Country), Rhys Ripper. Emerging photographer and Yuin man Shannon Mason also had the opportunity to assist the photography team and work with one of the best photographers in Australia, Max Doyle (The Guardian, 2020).
In front of the camera you’ll find Whadjuk Noongar man Nathan McGuire, Yamatiji/Walmatjarri woman Billie-Jean Hamlet, as well as Gumbaynggir/Dunghutti woman Alinta Carberry - an emerging model who signed to Chadwick one month before the photoshoot took place (The Guardian, 2020). Nathan McGuire was discovered via Instagram in 2015 and two years later was cast for an exclusive campaign for Louis Vuitton. Nathan made fashion history with his story in GQ Australia’s September/October 2020 issue as he was the first Indigenous Australian model to be featured in a main editorial spread. He became Australia’s first internationally-signed Aboriginal male model, and now his influence has been immortalised on a 25-storey mural at Perth’s new Art Series Hotel - The Adnate, painted by international muralist Matt Adnate (IMG Models, 2021).
Billie-Jean Hamlet started modelling on and off throughout her childhood, and achieved her goal of signing up with industry giants Priscillas Model Management, who still represent her today. Just four months after joining the agency, Billie-Jean quickly landed her first modelling job with the iconic Australian brand Country Road for their summer 2020 campaign. Not long after, she was seeing herself on a billboard for the first time and in a spread for Marie Claire (NITV, 2020).
Check out some of the shots, taken on Wiradjuri Country from The Guardian Australia’s photoshoot for the Piinpi exhibition below:
Alinta Carberry wears: Anindilyakwa Arts necklace by Betty Mirnoywan; MAARA Collective by Julie Shaw top.Courtesy of The Guardian, 2020: Max Doyle.
Billie-Jean Hamlet wears: Clair Helen x Bima Wear shirtdress; MAARA Collective pants by Julie Shaw; dilly bag produced by Arnhem Weaver Roslyn Malnumba of the Mapuru community in Arnhem Land. Courtesy of The Guardian, 2020: Max Doyle.
Billie-Jean Hamlet wears: Minakusista earrings; HopeVale Arts x Daisy Hamlot jacket; MAARA Collective by Julie Shaw pants. Courtesy of The Guardian, 2020: Max Doyle.
Alinta Carberry wears: Warlu x North Home sun dress with fabric artwork by Flora Nakamarra Brown. Courtesy of The Guardian, 2020: Max Doyle.
Billie-Jean Hamlet wears: Bima Wear shirt. Nathan McGuire wears: Warlu x North Home shirt featuring print by Shanna Napanangka Williams. Courtesy of The Guardian, 2020: Max Doyle.
Billie-Jean Hamlet wears: MAARA Collective x Gaayaa Miyay ‘Dhinawan’ print dress featuring printwork by Lucy Simpson. Textiles by Kip&Co x Bábbarra. Courtesy of The Guardian, 2020: Max Doyle.
At Yarn, we embrace both heritage and novelty of Australia’s most ancient fashion traditions. We have a wide range of accessories and garments that reflect the sharing of stories and culture through contemporary Indigenous design. Yarn is always looking for more ways to share the achievements of First Nations peoples.