Indigenous looks in fashion
PERTH model Hannah Collard is hoping Perth Fashion Festival’s Chirriger Aboriginal Runway will challenge the idea of beauty in the fashion industry.
Fresh off the Melbourne Fashion Week runway, the 24-year-old model, originally from Broome, is one of several indigenous women to walk in the collaborative show, featuring designer Sandra Rives and Aboriginal artist Peter Farmer.
Collard said she was excited to represent the indigenous community, which she believed was under-represented in the industry.
“One of my cousins had been working with Miranda and Peter Farmer for a few years as an artist and they decided to do some indigenous designs to try to build a collection and use indigenous models to represent them,” she said.
“We did an open casting call and I came on board to lend my expertise to the girls and help get them to where they need to be, so building confidence and empowering them through modelling.
“I think we need to challenge the ideas of beauty in the fashion industry in Australia - it’s not just one look and that’s the sad part.
“I want young Aboriginal girls to look in magazines and see Aboriginal women representing them.”
The Chirriger collection, meaning ‘Splendid Blue Fairy Wren’, will include five of Farmer’s Aboriginal artworks printed on to ready-to-wear fashion.
Collard said she would wear it with pride.
“To me it’s important to be involved,” she said.
“I’ve been very fortunate in my career.
“I did a program called Kimberley Girl and I want to give back. They gave me my start and I want to show others that I know where they have come from.”
■ Community Newspaper Group has a double pass to give away to TPFF’S Wheels and Dollbaby runway show on September 17 at Crown Pyramid. Enter at www. communitynews.com.au by 10am, September 14. Chirriger Aboriginal Runway Fashion Central - Forrest Place Saturday, September 9, at 1pm Free www.telstraperthfashionfestival.com.au
WHAT: WHERE: WHEN: ENTRY: WEB: Hannah Collard.