Territory rig
FROM THE RED CENTRE TO LONDON Central Desert designers are set to showcase their ‘wears’ at the London n Pacific Fashion Collective
NEVER mind the Union Jack — the bright colours and bold textile designs of Central Australia are headed to London, set to hit the catwalk as a part of London Fashion Week. The London Pacific Fashion Collective will welcome the designs of Warlukurlangu Art Centre, which is located in Yuendumu, some 290 kilometres north west of Alice Springs.
The 10-piece collection is a collaboration between Central Desert based designers, Brigida Stewart and Amanda McMillan and five Warlukurlangu artists.
Warlukurlangu artists Karen Napaljarri Barnes, Alma Nungarrayi Granites and her grand daughter Athena Nangala Granites, Murdie Nampijinpa Morris and Steven Jupurrurla Nelson have been working alongside designers Brigida and Amanda to curate their collection.
The showcase will include the trademark ‘circle skirt,’ which has been crafted from a water dreaming work by Murdie Morris, as well as dresses, tops, and pants which will allow showgoers to see the artist’s intricate paint work in a new format.
The group have worked on repeat pattern design, printing onto suede, linen, satin, cotton and stretch fabrics to determine the best way to illustrate the iconic arts styles. The final 10 show pieces are a mixture of textures and transseasonal pieces.
Karen Barnes bird design, which are almost pop-art era in their style, will headline the show. Her budgie designs have even inspired the nickname ‘ budgie smuggler’ for a body-con, form fitting dress the group are sending to London!
The London Pacific Fashion Collective show is set to be held on 15 September at the historic National Liberal Club in Westminster. The plush, Victorian interiors will provide the perfect juxtaposition to the colourful, contemporary designs that the Warlukurlangu artists are known for.
The work from Yuendumu, will be shown alongside designs by Pania Greenaway, representing New Zealand, Robert Kennedy of Fiji and Sarah Haoda-Todd from Papua New Guinea.
The collaborative showcase has been in planning in Central Australia since November last year, when the Warlukurlangu Art Centre first applied to show their designs in the land of double decker buses and Kate Moss.