A Conversation on Indigenous and Cross-Cultural Fashion Practices

Posted on by Treena Clark
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Source: Colombian Embassy

By Treena Clark, University of Technology Sydney

16 October 2024

A Conversation on Indigenous and Cross-Cultural Fashion Practices

Cross-cultural exchanges help decolonise fashion practices, challenging Western norms and fostering a deeper understanding of similarities and differences that can inspire future trends.

These enriching themes were recently discussed during a fashion panel in collaboration with the University of Technology Sydney and the Colombian Embassy.

The panel featured Yatu Widders Hunt, founder and curator of @ausindigenousfashion, First Nations designer Debra Beale, and Colombian fashion designer Laura Laurens, who discussed the intersection of sustainable and Indigenous design across different cultures.

Sustainable Practices

Debra and Laura highlighted their work in reducing waste and using second-hand or leftover materials. For Debra, she undertakes a method of redyeing and adorning her clothing from previous collections. The panel also emphasised that fashion consumers can contribute by shopping second-hand, reducing their wardrobes, and supporting ethical brands.

Working with natural fibres aligns with Indigenous values of sustainability. Laura described how she uses coca plant leaves to create textiles, while she and Debra use eco-dyeing techniques, colouring textiles with natural flora.

Fashion for Healing and Empowerment

Fashion can be a powerful tool for emotional release and healing. For Debra, crafting garments is a therapeutic process, symbolising the pain and survival of her community. Laura, too, views fashion as healing, particularly through the reclamation of fabrics tied to Colombia’s military history, transforming them into narratives of resilience.

Designing and wearing these garments, whether on runways or within communities, empowers creators and their collaborators. Debra spoke about her pride when seeing young women wear her designs. At the same time, Laura emphasised her work with Indigenous trans women in Colombia, ensuring their voices and cultures are represented through fashion.

Respectful Collaboration and Knowledge Exchange

Yatu emphasised that Indigenous fashion is a form of cultural diplomacy, offering non-Indigenous Australians a meaningful way to engage with First Nations culture. The broader fashion industry can learn valuable lessons from Indigenous approaches to sustainability and ethical practice.

Laura stressed the importance of social sustainability in her work, which involves addressing social inequities through fashion. She has collaborated for over seven years with Millones De Maneras, a collective that creates and heals through artistic expression.

Fashion as Cultural Practice and Advocacy

Debra’s work is deeply rooted in her connection to her culture and Country, using fashion to tell stories of her world, family and ancestors. Laura works with conflict-affected communities, incorporating local materials like silk into her designs, further deepening the cultural significance of her fashion.

Yatu challenged the notion that First Nations fashion is “emerging,” pointing out that Indigenous people have been creating sustainable, ethical fashion for thousands of years. Her Instagram platform, which showcases Indigenous fashion, has since grown into a space with thousands of followers, celebrating the richness of First Nations design.

Fashion’s Role in Sustainability, Healing, and Advocacy

Fashion is far more than aesthetics—it’s a powerful medium for storytelling, healing, and activism.

The panel provided a deeply layered exploration of how fashion intersects with themes of cultural celebration, healing, and sustainability. These discussions expand our understanding of fashion’s role in society and emphasise its contributions to collective well-being.

The conversation on recycled materials, natural fibres, and ethical production highlights how fashion can be both aesthetic and responsible. For the panellists, meaningful collaboration strengthens communities and positions fashion as a tool for social change.

They discussed addressing issues such as racism and trauma and how fashion becomes a form of activism. Knowledge-sharing and cultural advocacy are integral to the panellists, offering diverse perspectives and promoting ethical and sustainable practices.